Compare the2023 Porsche Cayenne CoupeVS 2023 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe 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 BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cayenne Coupe. But it costs extra on the X3.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne Coupe 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 X3 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne Coupe and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

The Cayenne Coupe has more powerful engines than the X3:

As tested in Motor Trend the Cayenne Turbo Coupe 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne Coupe running on electricity gets better mileage than the X3:

The Cayenne Coupe can travel with zero emissions for 15 to 17 miles (dependent on model). The X3 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (19.8 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne Coupe’s standard fuel tank has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (23.7 vs. 17.2 gallons).

For better stopping power the Cayenne Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

The Cayenne Coupe 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 X3 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Coupe Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The X3 doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne Coupe stops much shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the Cayenne Coupe has larger standard tires than the X3 (F:275/45R20 & R:305/40R20 vs. 245/50R19). The Cayenne Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20).

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard 275/45R20 front and 305/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3’s standard 50 series tires. The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 285/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the X3’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne Coupe has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the X3. The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the X3.

The Cayenne Coupe 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 X3 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne Coupe offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. BMW doesn’t offer an active suspension on the X3.

The Cayenne Coupe has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne Coupe’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the X3 (114 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne Coupe is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

The Cayenne Turbo GT handles at 1.03 G’s, while the X3 M40i xDrive pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.5 seconds quicker than the X3 xDrive30i (24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne Coupe w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the X3’s (35.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Coupe has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Cayenne Coupe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Coupe Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the X3 (9.6 vs. 8 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Cayenne Turbo GT is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive (65 vs. 69 dB).

The Cayenne Coupe has .8 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3’s (7700 vs. 4400 pounds).

Standard trailer sway control on the Cayenne Coupe uses 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. The X3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Cayenne Coupe has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X3 (1150 vs. 902 lbs.).

The Cayenne Coupe has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 (1499 vs. 941 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X3, the Cayenne Coupe 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 Coupe’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 X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Cayenne Coupe’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 X3 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 Coupe offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne Coupe has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The X3 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The Cayenne Coupe offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the X3.

The Cayenne Coupe’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 X3’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne Coupe third among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The X3 isn’t in the top three in its category.