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Audi RS Q8 vs Porsche Cayenne

2026 Audi RS Q8 vs 2026 Porsche Cayenne — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

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2026 Audi RS Q8

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 2Tie: 2 categories each
Porsche Cayenne

2026 Porsche Cayenne

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Porsche Cayenne is more fuel-efficient: 19 vs 16 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $800 a year less in fuel for the Porsche Cayenne (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi RS Q8 is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Audi RS Q8 has had fewer recall campaigns (12 vs 28).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi RS Q8 is a standard SUV offered with a 4.0L 8-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 197 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,479 lb.

The 2026 Porsche Cayenne is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,376 lb (Base / S 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2020 RS Q8 and the 2018 Cayenne have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 RS Q8 and the 2019 Cayenne.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.0L 8-cyl turbo
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

16 MPG
Best combined MPG
19 MPG
14 city
City / highway MPG (best)
17 city
$5,150
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$4,350

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
493 hp
–
Seats (most)
4
197.2 in
Length
193.7 in
78.7 in
Width
78 in
67.3 in
Height
65.7 in
5,479 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,376 lb

Safety & reliability

–
Driver-assist features standard
11
1
Recalls (2026)
1
12
Recalls, all years since 2005
28
0
Owner complaints (latest year)
5

Interest

–
Wikipedia views, 30 days
30,338

Buying used

2020
Best used year
2018
2021
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi RS Q8 if…

  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (12 vs 28 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Porsche Cayenne if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (19 vs 16 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi RS Q8

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 20% below the 2026 standard SUV average of 20 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Porsche Cayenne

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Audi RS Q8 specs →Full 2026 Porsche Cayenne specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →