Compare the2022 Porsche CayenneVS 2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e

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 X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the X3 xDrive30e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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 3.0 turbo V6 produces 47 more horsepower (335 vs. 288) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 146 more horsepower (434 vs. 288) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 165 more horsepower (453 vs. 288) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 167 more horsepower (455 vs. 288) and 206 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 382 more horsepower (670 vs. 288) and 353 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the Cayenne and the X3 xDrive30e 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 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 xDrive30e (19.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 10.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 xDrive30e (23.7 vs. 13.2 gallons).

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X3 xDrive30e:

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 X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne has larger standard tires than the X3 xDrive30e (F:255/55R19 & R:275/50R19 vs. 225/60R18). The Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 xDrive30e (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20).

The Cayenne’s standard 255/55R19 front and 275/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3 xDrive30e’s standard 60 series tires. The Cayenne’s optional 285/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the X3 xDrive30e’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X3 xDrive30e. The Cayenne’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the X3 xDrive30e.

The Cayenne has a standard space-saver spare (not available on E-Hybrid) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the X3 xDrive30e; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e.

The Cayenne has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Cayenne’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the X3 xDrive30e (114 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the X3 xDrive30e.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the X3 xDrive30e’s (35.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 xDrive30e (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the X3 xDrive30e (9.6 vs. 8 inches).

The Cayenne has .8 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3 xDrive30e.

The front step up height for the Cayenne is 1.8 inches lower than the X3 xDrive30e (16.75” vs. 18.5”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 2.5 inches lower than the X3 xDrive30e’s (16” vs. 18.5”).

The Cayenne has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X3 xDrive30e with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 59.4 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s cargo area is larger than the X3 xDrive30e’s in almost every dimension:

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3 xDrive30e’s (7700 vs. 4409 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 X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Cayenne has a higher standard payload capacity than the X3 xDrive30e (1104 vs. 904 lbs.).

The Cayenne has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 xDrive30e (1657 vs. 904 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 X3 xDrive30e, 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 optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Cayenne offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the X3 xDrive30e.

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 X3 xDrive30e’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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