Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2025 Porsche Cayenne

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 XM 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 XM and the Cayenne have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 427 to 1413 pounds more than the Porsche Cayenne. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM 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 73 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XM’s warranty.

The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 390 more horsepower (738 vs. 348) and 370 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 368) than the Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 275 more horsepower (738 vs. 463) and 259 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 479) than the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 270 more horsepower (738 vs. 468) and 296 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 442) than the Cayenne S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 9 more horsepower (738 vs. 729) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 700) than the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW XM is faster than the Porsche Cayenne:

The XM can travel longer on electricity, only, on a full charge than the Cayenne on electricity, only, on a full charge:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (6 out of 10) than the Porsche Cayenne (4). This means the XM produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cayenne every 15,000 miles.

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

The XM stops shorter than the Cayenne:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the Cayenne (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. F:255/55R20 & R:295/45R20).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayenne’s standard 55 series front and 45 series rear tires. The XM’s 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Cayenne’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Cayenne. The XM’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Cayenne.

The rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Cayenne, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the Cayenne (122.2 inches vs. 114 inches).

The XM Label handles at .97 G’s, while the Cayenne S pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XM Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Cayenne S (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 25.6 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XM has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cayenne E-Hybrid (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The XM has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cayenne with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 60.3 cubic feet).

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

The XM 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 XM the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The XM’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 XM has standard extendable sun visors. The Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.