Compare the2023 Mercedes G-ClassVS 2023 Porsche Cayenne

The G-Class’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Cayenne doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The G-Class’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Cayenne.

The G-Class has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Cayenne’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the G-Class has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Porsche charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the Cayenne.

The G-Class’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the G-Class and the Cayenne 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the G-Class’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Porsche.

The G-Class has more powerful engines than the Cayenne:

As tested in Motor Trend the AMG G 63 is faster than the Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the G-Class’ fuel efficiency. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The G-Class has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (26.4 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The G-Class has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cayenne’s standard fuel tank (26.4 vs. 23.7 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes G-Class, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Cayenne.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The G-Class has standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

For better traction, the G-Class has larger standard tires than the Cayenne (275/55R19 vs. 255/55R19). The G-Class’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cayenne (295/40R22 vs. 285/40R21).

The G-Class has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Cayenne; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For greater off-road capability the G-Class has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cayenne (9.5 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the G-Class to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The G 550 is 4 inches shorter than the Cayenne, making the G-Class easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The G-Class has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne.

The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cayenne with its rear seat up (38.1 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cayenne with its rear seat folded (68.6 vs. 60.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the G-Class easier. The G-Class’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.3 inches, while the Cayenne’s liftover is 31 inches.

The G-Class has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The G-Class’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Cayenne.

If the windows are left open on the G-Class the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes G-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Cayenne.

The G-Class has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.