Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 Lexus GX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 GX 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 GX doesn’t offer a night vision system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Cayenne uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Cayenne and the GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

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

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Cayenne’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

Engine

The Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 34 more horsepower (335 vs. 301) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Cayenne S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 133 more horsepower (434 vs. 301) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 152 more horsepower (453 vs. 301) and 128 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 154 more horsepower (455 vs. 301) and 187 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 369 more horsepower (670 vs. 301) and 334 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the Lexus GX:

	Cayenne	GX
Zero to 60 MPH	4.8 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.5 sec	21.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.8 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.5 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103 MPH	89 MPH
Top Speed	157 MPH	111 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
Cayenne
	AWD	E-Hybrid Electric Motor	45 city/48 hwy
		Turbo S E-Hybrid Electric Motor	40 city/44 hwy
GX
			MPG
	AWD	4.6 DOHC V8	15 city/19 hwy

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

			MPG
Cayenne
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	20 city/22 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	17 city/22 hwy
		2.9 turbo V6	16 city/22 hwy
		4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	17 city/20 hwy
GX
	AWD	4.6 DOHC V8	15 city/19 hwy

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Cayenne’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Cayenne’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Porsche Cayenne, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

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 GX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Cayenne E-Hybrid	Cayenne CCB	GX
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	17.3 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	14.1 inches	16.1 inches	12.3 inches

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 GX 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 GX doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the GX:

	Cayenne	GX
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 265/60R18).

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 GX’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 GX’s optional 55 series tires.

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

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Porsche Cayenne has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the GX (114 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GX.

The Cayenne handles at .96 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 4.4 seconds quicker than the GX (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 6 feet tighter than the GX’s (35.1 feet vs. 41.1 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the GX’s (39.8 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the GX (9.6 vs. 8.1 inches).

Chassis

The Porsche Cayenne may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 550 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

The Cayenne is 8.3 inches shorter in height than the GX, making the Cayenne much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Cayenne’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX uses body-on-frame design instead.

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 GX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Cayenne is quieter than the GX:

	Cayenne	GX
At idle	40 dB	43 dB
70 MPH Cruising	63 dB	66 dB

Passenger Space

The Cayenne has 1 inch more front headroom, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room and 6.2 inches more rear legroom than the GX.

The front step up height for the Cayenne is 5 inches lower than the GX (16.75” vs. 21.7”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 6 inches lower than the GX’s (16” vs. 22”).

Cargo Capacity

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume than the GX with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Cayenne easier. The Cayenne’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

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 GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Cayenne has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Payload and Towing

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GX’s (7700 vs. 6500 pounds).

The Cayenne has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the GX (1657 vs. 1295 lbs.).

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GX, 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 GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Cayenne offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Cayenne’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. The GX

The Cayenne’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 GX doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The Cayenne’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

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

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 GX.

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 GX 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 GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Cayenne and the Lexus GX, 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 GX isn’t in the top three in its category.

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