Compare the2025 Porsche CayenneVS 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Porsche Cayenne has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Cayenne’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Cayenne and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Cayenne’s reliability 19 points higher than the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Q4 e-tron 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.

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.

Engine

The Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 13 more horsepower (348 vs. 335) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 128 more horsepower (463 vs. 335) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors. The Cayenne S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 133 more horsepower (468 vs. 335) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 158 more horsepower (493 vs. 335) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 394 more horsepower (729 vs. 335) and 199 lbs.-ft. more torque (700 vs. 501) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	Cayenne	Q4 e-tron Sportback
Zero to 60 MPH	4.7 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.4 sec	13.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	97 MPH
Top Speed	156 MPH	100 MPH

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Cayenne CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	Cayenne	Cayenne CCB	Q4 e-tron Sportback	Q4 e-tron Sportback
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	17.3 inches	14.1 inches	15 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	16.1 inches	11” drums	13.9” drums

The Porsche Cayenne has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Q4 e-tron Sportback. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Cayenne offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	Cayenne	Q4 e-tron Sportback
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cayenne has larger standard tires than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (F:255/55R20 & R:295/45R20 vs. F:235/50R20 & R:255/45R20). The Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (F:285/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. F:235/50R20 & R:255/45R20).

The Cayenne’s optional 285/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Cayenne Base/S has a standard space-saver spare (not available on E-Hybrid) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Q4 e-tron Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Cayenne offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The Cayenne has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cayenne has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (114 inches vs. 108.7 inches).

The Cayenne handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Q4 e-tron Sportback pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (23.6 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne E-Hybrid has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (8.2 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s minimum ground clearance is 3.7 inches higher than on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (9.5 vs. 5.8 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Cayenne uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Cayenne has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 3.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cayenne’s rear seats recline. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q4 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat up (27.3 vs. 26.1 cubic feet). The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q4 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

Towing

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s (7716 vs. 2650 pounds).

Standard trailer sway control on the Cayenne 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Cayenne uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Q4 e-tron Sportback uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 40% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the Q4 e-tron Sportback, the Cayenne offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Cayenne’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cayenne to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Cayenne offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Cayenne also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Cayenne to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Porsche Cayenne 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback.

Both the Cayenne and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard heated front seats. The Cayenne also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Cayenne offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The Porsche Cayenne has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Audi charges extra for Homelink® on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Cayenne has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The Cayenne’s Active Parking Assistance can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Cayenne and the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Audi Q4 by over two to one during 2024.

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