2020 BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne
What's the difference?

BMW X5

$34,990 - $114,000

2020 price

View pricing & specs

Porsche Cayenne

$54,888 - $169,900

2020 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2020 BMW X5

2020 Porsche Cayenne

By Justin Hilliard

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo V8, 4.4L

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

12.5L/100km (combined)

4.4L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

20.8 kWh/100km

Electric range

40 km

Battery capacity

14.10 kWh

Seating

Likes

Aggressive styling
Genuine practicality
Ferocious performance

Stylish and practical design
Epic straight-line performance
Highly intelligent drive modes

Dislikes

Half-baked exhaust system
Far from fuel-efficient
Substandard warranty

Desirable but expensive options
Extra weight blunts dynamics
Inconsistent brake pedal feel

2020 BMW X5 Summary

Way back in 2009, the X5 was the first SUV to get the go-fast treatment from BMW’s high-performance M division. At the time, it was a crazy thought, but in 2020, it’s easy to see why Munich went down the (then) road less travelled.

Now in its third generation, the X5 M is better than ever, partly thanks to BMW Australia’s insistence on forgoing its ‘regular’ variant for the piping-hot Competition version.

But just exactly how good is the X5 M Competition? We had the unenviable task of putting it to test to find out.

View full pricing & specs

2020 Porsche Cayenne Summary

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe is a mouthful to say aloud, but what's in a name?

Well, we are all familiar with the Cayenne by now, and Porsche history indicates the Turbo S badge is saved for the highest-performing variant in the range, so there's that.

But this is also an E-Hybrid, which means it's a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that can run on petrol and electric power, with the advantage of doing so, of course, being vastly superior fuel economy.

And it's also a Coupe, which is now no more than a marketing term for a presumably more stylish, but less practical, SUV.

So, is the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid having an identity crisis? We attended its local launch to find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2020 BMW X5 2020 Porsche Cayenne

Verdict

After spending a day with the BMW X5 M Competition, we can’t help but wonder if it’s the ultimate vehicle for families.

On one hand, it nails the practicality brief and is loaded with standard equipment, including the key advanced driver-assist systems. On the other, its performance in a straight line and around corners is otherworldly. Oh, and it looks sporty and feels luxurious, too.

That said, we could absolutely live with the high fuel bill if this was our daily driver, but there’s only one problem: does anyone have a spare $250,000?

Is the new BMW X5 M Competition the ultimate family vehicle? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel and meals provided.

Verdict

There's no doubting that improvements to straight-line acceleration are always nice – and so is the option to go electric around town – but at the end of the day, the Turbo S E-Hybrid isn't worth the $39,100 premium it commands over the Turbo, which just so happens to be the better drive, anyway.

That said, the Turbo S-E Hybrid Coupe is currently in a league of its own. And contradiction or not, it also proves you can have you cake and eat it, too. So, if being the biggest and baddest means everything to you, there's only one logical choice in the Cayenne range...

Is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe in a league of its own? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

2020 BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

2020 BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne
What's the difference?