Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport

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 Land Rover Discovery Sport doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Porsche Cayenne has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Cayenne has a standard Multi-collision Brake System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 Discovery Sport doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Cayenne offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Discovery Sport only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

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

The Cayenne’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Discovery Sport’s (12 vs. 6 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Cayenne’s reliability 20 points higher than the Discovery Sport.

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 Land Rover 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, Land Rover is rated below average.

The Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 89 more horsepower (335 vs. 246) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 269) than the Discovery Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 188 more horsepower (434 vs. 246) and 136 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 269) than the Discovery Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 207 more horsepower (453 vs. 246) and 188 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 269) than the Discovery Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 209 more horsepower (455 vs. 246) and 247 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 269) than the Discovery Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 424 more horsepower (670 vs. 246) and 394 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 269) than the Discovery Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

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

The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Discovery Sport (19.8 vs. 17.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Discovery Sport (23.7 vs. 17.7 gallons).

The Cayenne’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Cayenne’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Discovery Sport are solid, not vented.

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 Discovery Sport 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 Discovery Sport doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne has larger standard tires than the Discovery Sport (F:255/55R19 & R:275/50R19 vs. 235/60R18). The Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Discovery Sport (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 245/45R21).

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 Discovery Sport’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 Discovery Sport’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Discovery Sport. The Cayenne’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Discovery Sport.

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 Discovery Sport 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. Land Rover doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Discovery Sport.

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 Discovery Sport doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Discovery Sport (114 inches vs. 107.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Discovery Sport.

The Cayenne Turbo handles at .98 G’s, while the Discovery Sport S pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.5 seconds quicker than the Discovery Sport S (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the Discovery Sport’s (35.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

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

The front grille of the Cayenne uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cayenne has 2 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Discovery Sport.

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Discovery Sport with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 6.9 cubic feet). The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Discovery Sport with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 60 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Cayenne. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Cayenne’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Discovery Sport’s (7700 vs. 4409 pounds).

The engine in the Cayenne is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Discovery Sport. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Land Rover. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 64% lower rating, Land Rover is ranked 30th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Discovery Sport SE, 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 Discovery Sport 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 Discovery Sport does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Cayenne offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Cayenne to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Discovery Sport doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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

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 Discovery Sport.

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 Discovery Sport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Cayenne will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cayenne will retain 47.75% to 53.12% of its original price after five years, while the Discovery Sport only retains 45.39% to 45.58%.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne third among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Discovery Sport isn’t in the top three.

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Land Rover Discovery Sport by over two to one during 2022.