Back in 2008, the first Coupe-like SUV was ridiculed. More than a decade later, car brands
have come a long way, and now the performance SUV is here to stay. So we've got two of the
latest heavy hitting Coupe-style luxury European SUVs, the Audi SQ8 and the Porsche Cayenne
Coupe S. But which is better? Let's find out.
While these machines might look familiar, they're actually new models based on their
more mundane siblings, the regular Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7. Both large luxury SUVs
are priced at around $170,000. And in the performance sense, they sit in the middle
of the line up. And both vehicles are based on the same platform. They're even built on
the same production line in Slovakia. But differences emerge when you step inside.
The Porsche cabin feels like, well, a Porsche. This classic circular steering wheel is just
fantastic. There is not too many screens, and the performance-focused instrument cluster
is on point. As you'd expect, the car comes with pretty much everything you could want,
which includes power adjustable seats, with a heating option, and a large touchscreen
infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. And the Porsche 's piece de resistance is
this smart little dial here, which gives you instant access to the car's sportier settings.
It's got four modes, Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual.
Now, the Audi doesn't feel quite as driver-focused, but it has techno-wizardry coming out the
wazoo. I mean, look at all the screens. And I love the fact there's virtually no buttons
here, it's really minimalistic. Again, the Audi is loaded with equipment and comes standard
with wireless Apple CarPlay. But it also gets a wireless phone charger, heated and cooled
seats with adjustable side bolsters, and there's even a head-up display. Audi's calling card
is without doubt the sophisticated infotainment system. There's virtually no buttons inside,
and the system itself is so intuitive, it just works so well. I reckon it's one of the
best set-ups you can get in a luxury car today.
Back-seat room in both cars is generous. But when it comes to boot space, the Porsche is
slightly larger. Overall, I like the interior of the Audi best, because of its sophisticated
look and feel. But these are performance machines and both have supremely powerful engines.
Audi has a big twin-turbo V8 that has less power, but way more torque than the Porsche's
medium-sized twin-turbo petrol V6.
Wow, this does not feel like a big, fat, wide SUV. It feels like a sports car. The steering
feels pure Porsche. It's direct, it's engaging, and you can feel what the car's doing underneath
you.
The four wheel drive system is excellent. Grip levels, phenomenal. It does have massive
barrel-shaped tires, which help, but this is still a high riding heavy machine. It's
quite incredible how it goes around corners. It sounds good for a V6, but it drives as
you'd expect from a Porsche, with supreme confidence. It doesn't feel big or flabby,
it just rips through corners like a sports car. The chassis balance is excellent.
Well, I've got to say the Audi feels a little bit different. It doesn't quite have the urgency
of that V6 petrol engine.
So you've got eight cylinders, you've got two regular exhaust-driven turbos, and then
you've got that third electric compressor that's almost like a super charger, and that
really does reduce turbo lag.
The fact that it even comes close in straight line performance to the Porsche, is pretty
damn impressive.
Now, the Audi's steering is not bad, but it's no where near as involving or direct as the
Porsche 's. It's just got a little bit of vagueness to it that doesn't quite give you
that same feel you get in the Porsche.
It doesn't rev as much as its V6 rival, nor does it sound as good, but it is way more
muscular. With a theoretical range of over 1,000 kilometres in the diesel, it has a greater
driving range. So while the Porsche has unbelievable dynamic prowess, the Audi offers better comfort
levels. I think it's fair to say, the Coupe-like SUV has come of age.
Well, that was far more entertaining than I ever would have thought. The Porsche has
an excellent V6, far more responsive, and the chassis balance is incredible. If you've
got a 911 in the garage, this is the car you want. But overall, this SQ8 is the winner,
and that's because it has a flexible V8, a more modern interior, and far more tech.