Compare the2025 Audi SQ8VS 2025 Porsche Cayenne Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi SQ8 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 Porsche Cayenne Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi SQ8 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe has not been tested.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The SQ8 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Cayenne Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

Both the SQ8 and the Cayenne Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available night vision systems.

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 SQ8’s warranty.

The SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 152 more horsepower (500 vs. 348) and 200 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 368) than the Cayenne Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6. The SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 37 more horsepower (500 vs. 463) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 479) than the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 32 more horsepower (500 vs. 468) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 442) than the Cayenne S Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi SQ8 is faster than the Cayenne S Coupe 4.0 turbo V8:

The SQ8 has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 18.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the SQ8’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Cayenne Coupe:

For better traction, the SQ8 has larger tires than the Cayenne Coupe (285/40R22 vs. 255/55R20).

The SQ8’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayenne Coupe’s standard 55 series front and 45 series rear tires. The SQ8’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Cayenne Coupe’s optional 40 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ8 has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Cayenne Coupe. The SQ8’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Cayenne Coupe.

The front and rear suspension of the SQ8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Cayenne Coupe, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SQ8’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Cayenne Coupe (117.9 inches vs. 114 inches).

The SQ8 has .5 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne Coupe.

The SQ8 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cayenne Coupe with its rear seat up (30.5 vs. 20.9 cubic feet). The SQ8 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cayenne Coupe with its rear seat folded (60.7 vs. 53 cubic feet).

The SQ8 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cayenne Coupe doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

If the windows are left open on the SQ8 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 Cayenne Coupe can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The SQ8’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cayenne Coupe’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the SQ8 has a standard rear wiper. The Cayenne Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Laser headlights, optional on the SQ8, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Cayenne Coupe’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the SQ8 has standard extendable sun visors. The Cayenne Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A manual rear sunshade and power rear side window sunshades are optional in the SQ8 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Cayenne Coupe doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.