Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 BMW X6

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 X6 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 X6 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the X6 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’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The Cayenne has more powerful engines than the X6:

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the BMW X6 6 cyl. hybrid gas:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running on electricity gets better mileage than the X6:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the X6:

The Cayenne can travel with zero emissions for 15 to 17 miles (dependent on model). The X6 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the X6 (23.7 vs. 21.9 gallons).

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X6:

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 X6 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 X6 doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the X6:

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X6 (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21).

The Cayenne Turbo handles at .98 G’s, while the X6 xDrive40i pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the X6 xDrive40i (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 6.2 feet tighter than the X6’s (35.1 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the X6’s (39.8 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X6 xDrive40i (8.2 vs. 8.1 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 250 pounds less than the BMW X6.

The Cayenne has .7 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 4.6 inches more rear legroom than the X6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cayenne’s rear seats recline. The X6’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Cayenne has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X6 with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X6’s (7700 vs. 5952 pounds).

Standard trailer sway control 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 X6 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Cayenne has a higher standard payload capacity than the X6 (1104 vs. 994 lbs.).

The Cayenne has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X6 (1657 vs. 1294 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

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 X6 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cayenne has a standard rear wiper. The X6 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 X6 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The X6 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The X6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

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 X6’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

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

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the BMW X6 by 7% during 2022.