Compare the2024 Audi Q8 e-tron SportbackVS 2024 Porsche Taycan

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Taycan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q8 e-tron Sportback. But it costs extra on the Taycan.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Taycan doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q8 e-tron Sportback has Car-to-X Services, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Taycan doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Taycan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s standard Rear Cross-Traffic Assist uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Automatic Brake Activation automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Taycan doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Q8 e-tron Sportback and the Taycan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback weighs 599 to 1230 pounds more than the Porsche Taycan. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Taycan has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

There are over 54 percent more Audi dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s warranty.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has more powerful engines than the Taycan:

On the EPA test cycle the Q8 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the Taycan Cross Turismo:

The Q8 e-tron Sportback can travel longer on a full charge than the Taycan Cross Turismo on a full charge:

For better stopping power the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Taycan:

The Q8 e-tron Sportback stops shorter than the Taycan:

For better traction, the Q8 e-tron Sportback has larger standard tires than the Taycan (255/50R20 vs. 225/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q8 e-tron Sportback offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Taycan’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Taycan; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the Q8 e-tron Sportback uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Taycan, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Taycan doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback handles at .92 G’s, while the Taycan Cross Turismo 4 pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Q8 e-tron Sportback has standard flush composite headlights. The Taycan has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Taycan Cross Turismo (102 vs. 92).

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Taycan Cross Turismo with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 18.7 cubic feet). The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Taycan Cross Turismo with its rear seat folded (54.5 vs. 45.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Taycan doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

If the windows are left open on the Q8 e-tron Sportback the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Taycan can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard rear wiper. The Taycan doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q8 e-tron Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The Taycan doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q8 e-tron Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Taycan doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Standard air conditioned seats in the front and rear seats keep the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Taycan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Taycan.

The Audi e-tron outsold the Porsche Taycan by 13% during 2023.