Compare the2022 Porsche CayenneVS 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Cayenne are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the X5 xDrive45e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 15th in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 3 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The Cayenne S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 45 more horsepower (434 vs. 389) than the X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 64 more horsepower (453 vs. 389) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 443) than the X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 66 more horsepower (455 vs. 389) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 443) than the X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 281 more horsepower (670 vs. 389) and 220 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 443) than the X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the X5 xDrive45e running its gasoline engine:

Both the Cayenne and the X5 xDrive45e have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Cayenne’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the X5 xDrive45e (19.8 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the X5 xDrive45e (23.7 vs. 18.2 gallons).

The Cayenne offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X5 xDrive45e (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21).

The Cayenne’s optional 285/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X5 xDrive45e’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne offers optional 22-inch wheels. The X5 xDrive45e’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Cayenne offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. BMW doesn’t offer an active suspension on the X5 xDrive45e.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 6.3 feet tighter than the X5 xDrive45e’s (35.1 feet vs. 41.4 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the X5 xDrive45e’s (39.8 feet vs. 41.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Air Suspension has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 xDrive45e (9.6 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Porsche Cayenne may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 1100 pounds less than the BMW X5 xDrive45e.

The Cayenne has 1.3 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and 2.9 inches more rear legroom than the X5 xDrive45e.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cayenne’s rear seats recline. The X5 xDrive45e’s middle row seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Cayenne is 2.8 inches lower than the X5 xDrive45e (16.75” vs. 19.5”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 4 inches lower than the X5 xDrive45e’s (16” vs. 20”).

The Cayenne’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5 xDrive45e’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X5 xDrive45e’s (7700 vs. 7200 pounds).

A trailer sway program standard on the Cayenne, uses the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Cayenne has a higher standard payload capacity than the X5 xDrive45e (1104 vs. 937 lbs.).

The Cayenne has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X5 xDrive45e (1657 vs. 937 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 33% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X5 xDrive45e, the Cayenne offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Cayenne’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The X5 xDrive45e does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Cayenne offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Cayenne offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Cayenne’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The X5 xDrive45e’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Cayenne, based on reliability, safety and performance.