Compare the2025 Porsche MacanVS 2025 Audi SQ5 Sportback

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Macan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Porsche Macan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Macan and the SQ5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The SQ5 Sportback isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 70 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 15 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 26 more horsepower (375 vs. 349) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 85 more horsepower (434 vs. 349) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Macan 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the SQ5 Sportback (19 city/25 hwy vs. 19 city/24 hwy).

The Macan has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 Sportback (19.8 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5 Sportback:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the SQ5 Sportback (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Macan’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (53.1 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Macan 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 SQ5 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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 42% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The Macan’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5 Sportback.

The SQ5 Sportback’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Macan’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Porsche Macan has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the SQ5 Sportback.

Compared to traditional radio, the Porsche Macan’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the SQ5 Sportback.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Macan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the SQ5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The Macan will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Macan will retain 55.69% to 60.96% of its original price after five years, while the SQ5 Sportback only retains 49.83% to 52.41%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The SQ5 Sportback isn’t in the top three.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 7 more times in the last 9 years. The SQ5 Sportback has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.