Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 Volvo XC60

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

Safety

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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 XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cayenne. But it costs extra on the XC60.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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.

Reliability

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 14 points higher than the XC60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 56 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Porsche higher than Volvo.

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 Volvo 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, Volvo is rated below average.

Engine

The Cayenne has more powerful engines than the XC60:

	Horsepower	Torque
Cayenne 3.0 turbo V6	335 HP	332 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne S 2.9 turbo V6	434 HP	405 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne GTS 4.0 turbo V8	453 HP	457 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid	455 HP	516 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne Turbo 4.0 turbo V8	541 HP	567 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	670 HP	663 lbs.-ft.
XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	247 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
XC60 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid	295 HP	310 lbs.-ft.
XC60 T8 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid	455 HP	523 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the Volvo XC60:

	Cayenne	XC60 B5	XC60 B6
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	7.3 sec	6.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	15.5 sec	15 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100.7 MPH	86.1 MPH	89.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Cayenne and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights 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 XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the XC60 (19.8 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC60 (23.7 vs. 18.8 gallons).

Transmission

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 XC60 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

	Cayenne E-Hybrid	Cayenne CCB	XC60	XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	17.3 inches	13.6 inches	15.7 inches
Rear Rotors	14.1 inches	16.1 inches	12.6 inches	12.6 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 XC60 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 XC60 doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the XC60:

	Cayenne	XC60
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cayenne has larger standard tires than the XC60 (F:255/55R19 & R:275/50R19 vs. 235/60R18). The Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 265/35R22).

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 XC60’s standard 60 series tires. The Cayenne’s optional 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the XC60’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60. The Cayenne’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

Suspension and Handling

The Cayenne has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC60 Ultimate suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Cayenne uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Cayenne offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC60.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the XC60 (114 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XC60.

The Cayenne handles at .96 G’s, while the XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.4 seconds quicker than the XC60 B5 Core AWD (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the XC60’s (35.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Air Suspension has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 (9.6 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

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 XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Cayenne has 1 inch more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cayenne’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Cayenne is 2.3 inches lower than the XC60 (16.75” vs. 19”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 3.5 inches lower than the XC60’s (16” vs. 19.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 24.4 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in almost every dimension:

	Cayenne	XC60
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.6”/74.9”	37.8”/68.7”
Max Width	42”	43.5”
Min Width	42”	39.8”
Height	30.4”	30.6”

Towing

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (7700 vs. 3500 pounds).

A trailer sway control is standard on the Cayenne, using 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. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC60.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Cayenne is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. 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 Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 25% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

Ergonomics

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 XC60 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 XC60 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Cayenne to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC60 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 XC60 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 XC60.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Cayenne, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.

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 XC60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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