Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2022 Mercedes AMG GLC

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 AMG GLC 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 AMG GLC 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Cayenne’s standard Porsche Hill Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG GLC doesn’t offer Porsche Hill Control.

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 AMG GLC doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the AMG GLC 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, 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.

The Porsche Cayenne weighs 420 to 1513 pounds more than the Mercedes AMG GLC. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Cayenne’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG GLC’s (12 vs. 5 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 AMG GLC.

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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Cayenne S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 49 more horsepower (434 vs. 385) and 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 384) than the AMG GLC’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 68 more horsepower (453 vs. 385) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 384) than the AMG GLC’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 70 more horsepower (455 vs. 385) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 384) than the AMG GLC’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 285 more horsepower (670 vs. 385) and 279 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 384) than the AMG GLC’s 3.0 turbo V6.

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

The Cayenne can travel with zero emissions for 15 to 17 miles (dependent on model). The AMG GLC 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 AMG GLC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLC (19.8 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 6.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG GLC (23.7 vs. 17.4 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 AMG GLC doesn’t offer launch control.

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

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 AMG GLC 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 AMG GLC doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops shorter than the AMG GLC:

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG GLC (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

The Cayenne’s optional 285/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLC 43’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne offers optional 22-inch wheels. The AMG GLC’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

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 AMG GLC 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. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the AMG GLC.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 1.9 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the AMG GLC.

The Cayenne handles at .96 G’s, while the AMG GLC 43 pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the AMG GLC 43 (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 25.2 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the AMG GLC’s (35.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

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 AMG GLC doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cayenne has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom and 3 inches more rear legroom than the AMG GLC.

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the AMG GLC with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the AMG GLC with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

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

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the AMG GLC’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 AMG GLC.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

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 AMG GLC 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 AMG GLC 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 AMG GLC 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 AMG GLC 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 AMG GLC.

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

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 AMG GLC only retains 45.82% to 47.5%.

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 AMG GLC isn’t in the top three.