Compare the2024 Porsche Cayenne CoupeVS 2024 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe 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 X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cayenne Coupe. But it costs extra on the X3.

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 X3 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne Coupe and X3 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Cayenne Coupe has Rear Cross Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X3’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Cayenne Coupe and the X3 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, 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.

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 Coupe has more powerful engines than the X3:

The Cayenne Coupe S E-Hybrid/Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (18.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne Coupe’s standard fuel tank has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (23.7 vs. 17.2 gallons).

For better stopping power the Cayenne Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

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 X3 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 X3 doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne Coupe has larger standard tires than the X3 (F:255/55R20 & R:295/45R20 vs. 245/50R19). The Cayenne Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (F:285/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20).

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard 295/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3’s standard 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 X3. The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the X3.

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 X3 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. BMW doesn’t offer an active suspension on the X3.

The Cayenne Coupe has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne Coupe’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the X3 (114 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne Turbo GT’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the X3’s (38 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Cayenne Coupe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the X3 (9.5 vs. 8 inches).

The Cayenne Coupe has .8 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3’s (7700 vs. 4400 pounds).

Standard trailer sway control on the Cayenne Coupe 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 X3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Cayenne Coupe has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 (1501 vs. 941 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X3, the Cayenne Coupe offers an optional 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.

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 X3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cayenne Coupe to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 X3 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 X3 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 X3.

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 X3.

The Cayenne Coupe’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 X3’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.