Compare the2025 Porsche CayenneVS 2025 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Cayenne’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 4Runner doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Cayenne and 4Runner have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Cayenne has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The 4Runner’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cayenne. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

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 4Runner doesn’t offer a night vision system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Cayenne has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro offers Parking Support Brake.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Cayenne uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Cayenne and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

The Cayenne comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 4Runner’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Cayenne’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the 4Runner’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The 4Runner isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

Engine

The Cayenne has more powerful engines than the 4Runner:

	Horsepower	Torque
Cayenne 3.0 turbo V6	348 HP	368 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid	463 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne S 4.0 turbo V8	468 HP	442 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne GTS 4.0 turbo V8	493 HP	486 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne S E-Hybrid 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid	512 HP	553 lbs.-ft.
Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	729 HP	700 lbs.-ft.
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	278 HP	317 lbs.-ft.
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	326 HP	465 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Cayenne’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Toyota only offers a regenerative brake system on the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX.

Regardless of its engine, the Cayenne’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAX.

The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4Runner (23.7 vs. 19 gallons).

Transmission

The Cayenne’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The 4Runner doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4Runner:

	Cayenne	Cayenne CCB	4Runner
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	17.3 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	16.1 inches	13.2 inches

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 4Runner 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 4Runner doesn’t offer air brakes.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (F:285/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/70R17).

The Cayenne’s standard 255/55R20 front and 295/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner SR5’s standard 70 series tires. The Cayenne’s optional 285/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5. The Cayenne’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum.

Suspension and Handling

The Cayenne offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Toyota doesn’t offer an active suspension on the 4Runner.

The Cayenne has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the 4Runner (114 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne E-Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the 4Runner SR5 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Cayenne 4x4 is 7.7 inches shorter in height than the 4Runner, making the Cayenne 4x4 much easier to wash and garage and drive off-road (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Cayenne’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the Cayenne uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Cayenne has 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 5.5 inches more rear legroom than the 4Runner.

Cargo Capacity

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (27.3 vs. 12.1 cubic feet).

Towing

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the 4Runner’s (7716 vs. 6000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 43% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 21st.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum, the Cayenne 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’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 4Runner doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Cayenne’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the 4Runner doesn’t offer a sensor on the cargo door or the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Cayenne’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The 4Runner’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cayenne to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 4Runner doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 4Runner doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Cayenne to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Cayenne’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Porsche Cayenne has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the 4Runner Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum.

The Cayenne has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The Cayenne offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

The Cayenne has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The Porsche Cayenne has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

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. Only the 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter offers wireless charging.

The Cayenne’s Active Parking Assistance can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

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

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