Hunky

Cayenne GTS and Audi SQ8 have their differences but essentially share the same 4.0L TTV8 engine.
SQ8 507hp/568tq (2025 model)
GTS 493hp/486tq (2025 model)
This is an 82 lb ft of torque difference on paper in advertised form but is it just some gross understatement for the Porsche. I guess we will have a better idea when there are 0-60 and 1/4 mile trap #s available.
I know Porsche does more with less but this is a big difference from the same V8.

ThomasWShea

as soon as you drive the porsche you will realize it is better, i think.

i waited a year and a half for an SQ8 to show up, and was super excited and i am still an audi fan. however, right at the end i decided to get the porsche.

steers better. handles better. i felt the seats were more comfortable. the interior is nicer, particularly the club interior. more physical switches. no frameless doors - i dislike frameless doors. door mounted side mirrors give front doors more glass w improved forward visibility. more granular options if you spec a build. more interior color options. rear fog lights. hold feature present (US audis do not have the hold feature). not brake by wire, hydraulic brakes some prefer this feedback. next redesign won’t be till 2030, so ur getting a design that will be current until then. the steering is impressive, virtually no play, i didn’t notice this by a friend of my commented on how impressive it was that there is virtually no slop in the steering. how the tranny behaves when it shifts down is really awesome too me. it sticks in the lower gear longer than any other vehicle i have owned, letting you know it is ready for action. i really like the tranny behavior.

each person may care more or less about these items but the above is what i uncovered in my own decision process.

both are amazing. but the porsche has its finer points.

Hunky

Thanks, lots to think about there. Still questioning the difference in power. My GTS spec is 140K while the in stock '24 SQ8s are going to sell for around 110K.

matthewr87

Power difference is probably largely due to a difference in tune. The same 4.0 is in the Turbo GT and makes over 700 hp (albeit the Turbo GT engine does have some mechanical changes to accommodate this increase in power). You can tune a GTS to increase power levels if you want to play the no warranty game.

Hunky

I guess the small stated horsepower difference clashes with the 82tq delta from the same 4.0L engine and I am very familiar with tuning.
I don't believe that either the '25 Cayenne GTS or '25 SQ8 have the mild hybrid system that my current X6 M60i has. That system in the M60i can lay on 150 lb ft of torque when needed and is extremely potent compared to the M50i that I traded.

Orca911

Not exactly what you are looking for but I have an 2023 SQ7 (wife) and a 2024 Cayenne S.
The SQ7 is faster, but feels heavy and soft compared to the Cayenne.
Cayenne handling is way more fun and I like the interior better. I'd take the Cayenne 10/10 times with no hate for the SQ7 at all.

End of the day it's a sporty SUV....

On_Your_Left

If you're just shopping price for HP, then go scoop up a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. 710 HP for $105K.

On_Your_Left

Same here. Have a 2022 SQ7. Don't have my GTS yet, but have driven a '24 S, and I greatly prefer the Cayenne.

Orca911

I almost wrote that too. I had a Jeep SRT with some light bolt-ons and it was a beast in a straight line. Fun car.

ThomasWShea

ideally drive both to see if a difference on the road sways you toward one over the other. the audi only has one seat. the porsche has 2 different seats. you may want to go sit in some cayennes if you haven’t to get a feel on that side compared to the audi.

Hunky

I have done this and do prefer the seats and interior of the Cayenne. Both of these were 2024 models. We have owned 2 other Cayennes previously and just recently have been considering the SQ8.
Very likely that I will just go ahead and place an order to spec for the 2025 Cayenne GTS. I've never been unhappy with any of the Porsches we have owned over the years.

Hunky

Thank You for that endorsement. I would enjoying hearing your review of the Cayenne GTS when you get it.

luv2sleep

For the money, I think the X5/6M is a better buy especially in the performance department. I’m an Audi fanboy, btw. The Cayenne GTS handles corners better but I personally am not too critical of a SUV’s cornering performance. I chose the Cayenne GTS Coupe because of its styling, inside & out, and for the overall feel of a Porsche. Although the SQ7/8 is a nice SUV, it’s not very exciting in my and my wife’s view. To each his own.

On_Your_Left

I know styling is high subjective, and to each their own, etc etc....... but I personally think BMW has really just sh*t the bed this last decade with their styling/design language. I used to be a huge BMW fan, and now find almost their entire lineup to be hideous.

Hunky

The Cayenne Coupe is the best looking of all the premium level/brand SUVs with the Q8s in 2nd place. Others may see things differently. The one i can't figure out is the Bentley Bentayga, now that is one fugly vehicle.