Compare the2024 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 BMW X6

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Cayenne 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 X6 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne 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 X6 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and X6 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Cayenne has Rear Cross Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X6’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Cayenne and the X6 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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’s reliability 17 points higher than the X6.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 1 place higher in reliability than BMW.

The Cayenne has more powerful engines than the X6:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne 3.0 turbo V6 running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the X6 M50i (17 city/23 hwy vs. 16 city/22 hwy).

The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the X6 (23.7 vs. 21.9 gallons).

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the X6:

The Cayenne 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 X6 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The X6 doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional front tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X6 (F:285/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the X6’s (39.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the X6’s (40 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Cayenne has .7 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 4.6 inches more rear legroom than the X6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cayenne’s rear seats recline. The X6’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Cayenne has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X6 with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X6’s (7700 vs. 5952 pounds).

Standard trailer sway control on the Cayenne 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 X6 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Cayenne has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X6 (1424 vs. 994 lbs.).

The Cayenne has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X6 (1601 vs. 1294 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.

The Cayenne’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 X6 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cayenne has a standard rear wiper. The X6 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X6 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The X6 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The X6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Cayenne has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X6.

The Cayenne’s optional Active Parking Assistance can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The X6’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Cayenne, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the BMW X6 by over two to one during 2023.