Compare the2025 Audi Q8 e-tron SportbackVS 2025 Porsche Taycan

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 seamlessly 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.

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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback weighs 606 to 1168 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:

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 Q8 e-tron Sportback handles at .92 G’s, while the Taycan 4 Cross Turisimo 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. 18.8 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. 45.8 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 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 Audi Q8 e-tron outsold the Porsche Taycan by almost two to one during 2024.