Compare the2023 Porsche Cayenne CoupeVS 2023 Lexus RX

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

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 RX doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne Coupe 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, 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.

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

The Cayenne Coupe has more powerful engines than the RX:

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

The Cayenne Coupe can travel with zero emissions for 15 to 17 miles (dependent on model). The RX has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Cayenne Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the RX 350h/500h.

Both the Cayenne Coupe and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Cayenne Coupes have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank (19.8 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne Coupe’s standard fuel tank has 5.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350’s standard fuel tank (23.7 vs. 17.8 gallons).

The Cayenne Coupe’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 Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RX:

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 RX 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 RX doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne Coupe has larger standard tires than the RX (F:275/45R20 & R:305/40R20 vs. 235/60R19). The Cayenne Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 235/60R19).

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 RX’s standard 60 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 RX’s optional 50 series tires.

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

The Cayenne Coupe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne Coupe’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the RX (114 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne Coupe is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RX.

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Coupe has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350 (8.2 vs. 8.1 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 1.4 inches higher than on the RX 350h (9.6 vs. 8.2 inches).

The front grille of the Cayenne Coupe 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.

The Cayenne Coupe has 1 inch more front shoulder room and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The Cayenne Coupe has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (54.3 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

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

The engine in the Cayenne Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport, 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.

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 RX 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 RX.

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