Compare the2024 Porsche Macan ElectricVS 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

Both the Macan Electric and the Q8 e-tron Sportback 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Macan Electric Turbo’s standard electric motors produces 134 more horsepower (630 vs. 496) and 116 lbs.-ft. more torque (833 vs. 717) than the SQ8 e-tron Sportback’s standard electric motors.

For better traction and acceleration, the Macan Electric has larger standard rear tires than the Q8 e-tron Sportback (285/45R20 vs. 255/50R20). The Macan Electric’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Q8 e-tron Sportback (295/40R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The Macan Electric’s standard 285/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium ultra’s standard 55 series tires. The Macan Electric’s optional 295/35R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan Electric has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium ultra.

The Porsche Macan Electric may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback.

The Macan Electric is 5.1 inches shorter than the Q8 e-tron Sportback, making the Macan Electric easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Porsche Macan Electric amounts to more than styling. The Macan Electric has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .25 Cd. That is lower than the Q8 e-tron Sportback (.27 to .29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Macan Electric get better fuel mileage.

The Macan Electric has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q8 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (59.5 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

The Macan Electric’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s (4409 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Macan Electric uses the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Macan Electric to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Macan Electric has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Macan Electric also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Macan Electric has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The Macan Electric offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Macan Electric’s optional Self Steering ParkAssist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q8 e-tron Sportback Prestige/Launch Assist’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.