Compare the2023 Porsche Cayenne CoupeVS 2022 Mercedes GLC

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe 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 GLC doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Cayenne Coupe 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 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.

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

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

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 GLC doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne Coupe and the 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, 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 Coupe weighs 772 to 1892 pounds more than the Mercedes GLC. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Cayenne Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the 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 Coupe’s reliability 20 points higher than the 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 Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 80 more horsepower (335 vs. 255) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 273) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne S Coupe’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 179 more horsepower (434 vs. 255) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 273) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne GTS Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 198 more horsepower (453 vs. 255) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 273) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 200 more horsepower (455 vs. 255) and 243 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 273) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 415 more horsepower (670 vs. 255) and 390 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 273) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cayenne Turbo Coupe 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the Mercedes GLC:

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

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Cayenne Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GLC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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

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

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 GLC 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 GLC doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne Coupe stops much shorter than the GLC:

For better traction, the Cayenne Coupe has larger standard tires than the GLC (F:275/45R20 & R:305/40R20 vs. 235/60R18). The Cayenne Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

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 GLC’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 GLC’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne Coupe has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLC. The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLC.

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

The Cayenne Coupe has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The GLC’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne Coupe is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GLC.

The Cayenne Turbo Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the GLC 300 4MATIC pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the GLC 300 4MATIC (24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne Coupe w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the GLC’s (35.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Coupe has a 3.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GLC (8.2 vs. 5 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 4.6 inches higher than on the GLC (9.6 vs. 5 inches).

The Cayenne Coupe has .4 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room and 2.7 inches more rear legroom than the GLC.

The Cayenne Coupe has a much larger cargo volume than the GLC with its rear seat up (22 vs. 19.4 cubic feet).

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

A trailer sway control is standard on the Cayenne Coupe, 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 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 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 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 Coupe offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GLC 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 GLC 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 GLC.

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

The Cayenne Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cayenne Coupe will retain 47.15% to 59.53% of its original price after five years, while the GLC only retains 44.8% to 45.61%.

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

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