2024 Lexus RX vs 2025 Porsche Cayenne

The 2024 Lexus RX, following its recent redesign, presented a somewhat polarizing exterior. The front end was characterized by a large trapezoidal grille, which, starting from the bodywork, seemed awkward, especially in lighter colours. The hood added to the bulky appearance with a prominent bump, contrasting with the sleeker designs of previous RX models. The sides featured bulging body panels, and a chrome accent strip suggested a floating-roof design, which appeared slightly out of place. However, the rear end was more cohesive, with a tidy design connecting the taillights with a single light strip. Inside, the RX offered a more conventional and inviting layout, with faux suede inserts in higher trims and a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. The centre console, though featuring a simulated woodgrain, felt less convincing, but the rest of the cabin was well-appointed with premium materials.

In contrast, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a choice between a standard SUV with a squared-off rear or a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The GTS trim, in particular, stood out with high gloss black trim, larger air intakes, and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers and 21-inch wheels added to its sporty appeal. Inside, the Cayenne allowed for extensive customization, from colours to trim materials, though at a premium cost. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle for more storage space. The Cayenne's interior was praised for its thoughtful design, though the sliding centre console could be slightly inconvenient. Overall, the Cayenne's interior combined luxury with practicality, offering a unique blend of sportiness and comfort.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four distinct models, starting with the RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all models came standard with all-wheel drive. The RX 350h hybrid featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, using a continuously variable transmission. The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-litre inline-four with a hybrid powertrain, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ offered 304 hp and an estimated 60 km of electric range. While the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, the RX 450h+ was more responsive, reaching 96 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a soft suspension that smoothed road imperfections but resulted in noticeable body roll during cornering.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, on the other hand, offered a range of engines, all capable of impressive performance. The base 3.0-litre V6 produced 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, while the Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 hp. The Turbo GT, available only as a coupe, boasted 650 hp. Plug-in hybrid options offered up to 729 hp. The GTS trim, with a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The Cayenne GTS balanced sporty performance with comfort, featuring precise steering, a low centre of gravity, and an active suspension. The optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power. The Cayenne excelled in both sporty driving and daily commuting, with adaptive drive modes and a comfortable ride.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample space for front occupants, with standard heating and ventilation for the seats in Canada. A wireless charging pad, USB ports, and spacious cupholders added convenience. The rear seats offered good legroom and headroom, with standard rear climate controls and USB ports. The RX had 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,308 litres with the seats folded. However, the load floor was slightly taller than competitors, requiring more effort for loading.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, while not offering a third row, provided comfortable seating for five. The options list was extensive, allowing for customization of interior materials and features. The Cayenne could tow up to 3,500 kilograms and had a payload capacity of 635 kilograms. Cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with 772 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,708 litres with the seats folded. The coupe version offered less space, with 576 and 1,486 litres respectively. The plug-in hybrid models had reduced cargo space due to the battery.

The 2024 Lexus RX featured a new infotainment system with a touchscreen, available in 9.8-inch or 14-inch sizes. The system was user-friendly, with logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. It supported natural speech commands and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RX also offered a cloud-based navigation system, though it had connectivity issues. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a range of screens, including a 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Spotify, Apple Music, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for media control and video streaming. The Cayenne also featured a head-up display, night-vision assist, and four USB-C charging ports. The cooled wireless charging area was a practical addition.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA in overall and side collision protection. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, despite a "Poor" rating in the moderate frontal overlap test. The RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and more. Some features could be overly sensitive, but they were adjustable.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. The Cayenne had an advanced adaptive cruise control system called InnoDrive, but it was not tested. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the 2025 Cayenne for safety.