Porsche Macan 4 vs Audi Q8

[USMA81]

Eighteen months ago, for my first EV, I bought a '23 Audi Q8 Prestige (top trim with lower range than on ‘24 refresh). Now also with the Macan 4, I thought I'd offer a comparison of the pros and cons of the two vehicles, in no particular order. Note this is top level of the Audi SUV line vs Macan which isn’t at the top of the Porsche line. Each, of course, is focused on a different driver / driving style.

What I like about the Audi:
- Better door closing, soft close doors
- Announcement when I am exiting the vehicle: "Your mobile device is still in the vehicle."
- Supple ride / quietness / bank vault feeling / excellent interior material choices, a feeling of plush luxury
- Lots of room for back seat passengers and dog in back
- Bang and Olufsen (better than the Bose, subjective)
- Paddles, easy to use, provide two discrete levels of regen

What I like about the Macan:
- True EV platform (Q8 is ICE-modified platform)
- More mature MMI
- Better range (though ‘24 Q8 closes the difference)
- Charging speed (but Audi is quite good with very flat curve)
- Sportiness (can’t wait to take the Macan on the back mountain roads)
- No inspections until second anniversary (Audi is every 10,000 miles)
- Over the air updates (effectiveness TBD; not available in Audi)
- Newer design (Audi Q8 design is good, but now six years old)

I’m guessing the upcoming Cayenne EV will be a great blend of the best of these two vehicles.

 

[dgkhn]

Announcement when I am exiting the vehicle: "Your mobile device is still in the vehicle."

Ooh, this would be nice.

 

[W1NGE]

Q6 etron is the sibling of the Macan EV and would be a more accurate comparison.

Q8 production has ceased and factory to close due to poor sales.

Soft close eventually came to the Taycan at refresh time and so will likely make an appearance at some point.

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