2026–27 Audi Q8 vs Porsche Cayenne: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Cayenne — it leads our weighted scorecard 1–0 across 4 categories, winning on more available power (1,139 hp vs 631 hp). The Q8 doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Q8 0 pts · Cayenne 1 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Q8 | 2026 Cayenne | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $76,900 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 36.3% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 631 hp | 1,139 hp | Cayenne |
| Max towing (1) | 7,700 lb | 7,716 lb | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 4 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 0 | 1 | Cayenne |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Q8 19 mpg vs Cayenne 19 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Q8 7,700 lb vs Cayenne 7,716 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Q8: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Cayenne: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Q8 4, Cayenne 4.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Q8 2019 (avoid), 2020 (solid), 2021 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Q8 | 2026 Cayenne | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $76,900 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $139,700 | — |
| Horsepower | 335–631 hp | 348–1139 hp |
| Max torque | 627 lb-ft | 1106 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 19 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 17–19 mpg |
| Max towing | 7,700 lb | 7,716 lb |
| Max payload | — | 1,601 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the Q8 yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Cayenne lists for a median $44,800 — 36.3% of today's median new price of $123,357.
Shop both
- See 3,740 new 2027 Audi Q8s for sale →Median listed price $86,780 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Porsche Cayennes for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Audi Q8
More on the Porsche Cayenne
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Q8 better than the Cayenne?
On our data, no — the Cayenne comes out ahead. Our pick: the Cayenne — it leads our weighted scorecard 1–0 across 4 categories, winning on more available power (1,139 hp vs 631 hp). The Q8 doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the Q8 or the Cayenne?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Q8 and 4 for the Cayenne.
Which holds its value better, the Q8 or the Cayenne?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Q8 or the Cayenne?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Q8 or the Cayenne?
It's a wash: 19 mpg vs 19 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Audi Q8 vs Porsche Cayenne: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/audi-q8-vs-porsche-cayenne, updated November 8, 2026.