Compare the2025 Lexus RXVS 2025 Porsche Cayenne

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Porsche Cayenne doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the RX 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, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Lexus RX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Cayenne has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Porsche covers the Cayenne. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Cayenne ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 23 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is ranked 6th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Porsche vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Porsche is ranked 8th.

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

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Cayenne can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The RX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the Cayenne’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The RX’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Cayenne’s (38.8 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Lexus RX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 850 pounds less than the Porsche Cayenne.

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the Cayenne with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 27.3 cubic feet).

The RX’s cargo area is larger than the Cayenne’s in almost every dimension:

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Cayenne doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Porsche. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 3% lower rating, Porsche is ranked second.

The RX 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.

If the windows are left open on the RX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RX’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 improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Cayenne only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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

The RX 300h/450h+/500h offers an optional 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.

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

Insurance will cost less for the RX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RX will cost $145 to $12835 less than the Cayenne over a five-year period.

The RX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RX will retain 58.33% to 60.37% of its original price after five years, while the Cayenne only retains 51.28% to 57.99%.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Cayenne isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Lexus RX outsold the Porsche Cayenne by almost six to one during 2023.