Compare the2024 BMW X3VS 2024 Porsche Cayenne

The X3’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 X3 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.

The X3’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 X3 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, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Cayenne has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 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 76 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

As tested in Car and Driver the X3 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the Cayenne running its gasoline engine:

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The X3 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 X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayenne’s standard 55 series front tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 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.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the Cayenne’s (56% to 44%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the X3’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s (39.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The X3’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Cayenne’s (39.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The BMW X3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 1250 pounds less than the Porsche Cayenne.

The X3 is 8.1 inches shorter than the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cayenne with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cayenne with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 60.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 easier. The X3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Cayenne’s liftover is 31 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Cayenne doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X3 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 X3’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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X3 has standard extendable sun visors. The Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the X3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 will cost $1360 to $13125 less than the Cayenne over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X3 will be $21292 to $89814 less than for the Porsche Cayenne.

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

The BMW X3 outsold the Porsche Cayenne by over three to one during 2023.