Compare the2023 BMW X6VS 2023 Porsche Cayenne

The X6’s 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 X6 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X6 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X6’s 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 X6 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 X6’s standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The X6’s 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 X6 and the Cayenne 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X6 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the Cayenne (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 80 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X6’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Cayenne isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is rated below average.

As tested in Motor Trend the X6 M50i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the X6 gets better mileage than the Cayenne running its gasoline engine:

The X6 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The X6 has a standard Brake Assistant 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.

The X6 stops much shorter than the Cayenne:

For better traction, the X6 has larger standard tires than the Cayenne (275/45R20 vs. 255/55R19).

The X6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayenne’s standard 55 series front and 50 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X6 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Cayenne.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X6 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Cayenne doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X6’s wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the Cayenne (117.1 inches vs. 114 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X6 is 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cayenne.

The X6’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.8% to 49.2%) than the Cayenne’s (53.6% to 46.4%). This gives the X6 more stable handling and braking.

The X6 M50i handles at .97 G’s, while the Cayenne E-Hybrid pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X6 M50i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Cayenne E-Hybrid (24.1 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .78 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X6 Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cayenne Air Suspension (9.7 vs. 9.6 inches), allowing the X6 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X6 has .3 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X6’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Cayenne doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X6 offers a 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 X6’s 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 X6 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.

The X6’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cayenne’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X6 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Cayenne doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X6 has standard extendable sun visors. The Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 first among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Cayenne was rated third.