Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2022 Lexus RX

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 RX 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.

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

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 RX doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the RX 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, 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.

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

The Cayenne has more powerful engines than the RX:

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the Lexus RX:

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

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

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Cayenne’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the RX Hybrid.

Regardless of its engine, the Cayenne’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the RX 450h, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.8 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX’s standard fuel tank (23.7 vs. 19.2 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 RX doesn’t offer launch control.

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

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 RX 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 RX doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the Cayenne has larger standard tires than the RX (F:255/55R19 & R:275/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 235/65R18).

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 RX’s standard 65 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 RX’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 RX. The Cayenne’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the RX.

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 RX 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. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the RX.

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 RX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RX.

The Cayenne handles at .96 G’s, while the RX 350 F Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.6 seconds quicker than the RX 450h (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the RX’s (35.1 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Air Suspension has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the RX (9.6 vs. 8.2 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 RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Cayenne is quieter than the RX 350 F Sport AWD:

The Cayenne has 1.3 inches more front shoulder room and 2.3 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 16 cubic feet). The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (7700 vs. 0 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 RX.

The engine in the Cayenne is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional in the RX, 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 RX 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 RX 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 RX 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 RX 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 RX.

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 RX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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