2024 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Porsche Cayenne

The 2024 Subaru Ascent had a design that was not universally praised. Subaru's designers had a history of creating appealing vehicles only to alter them unfavourably during refreshes. This was evident in the latest Ascent, which had acquired some visually unappealing features, such as tusks and a spear-like grille design that extended into the headlights. Despite these design choices, the Ascent's interior in the Premier trim was well-received for its quality materials, including premium Nappa leather upholstery and ventilated front seats. However, the overall design was functional and practical, lacking a sophisticated or modern appearance.

In contrast, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne, particularly in the GTS trim, was noted for its striking exterior design elements, such as high gloss black trim and larger air intakes specific to the GTS. The Cayenne's interior offered extensive customization options, allowing buyers to personalize everything from the colour to the trim and even the seat belts. While the base model had more modest features, the GTS trim included a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The Cayenne's interior was well-organized, with a focus on both aesthetics and functionality, offering a luxurious and customizable experience.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a standard all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring. The Ascent was capable of towing up to 2,270 kilograms (5,000 pounds) and performed well in various driving conditions, from city streets to off-road trails. However, it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension setup. Fuel economy was a concern, with ratings of 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.4 on the highway, but real-world tests showed higher consumption.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engine options, with the GTS trim featuring a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 producing 493 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. It had an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive, allowing it to accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in 4.4 seconds. The Cayenne GTS excelled in handling, with precise steering and a low centre of gravity. It featured Pirelli P Zero tires, stiffer roll bars, and an active suspension system, making it agile and athletic despite its weight. The Cayenne's performance was versatile, offering sporty driving modes and a comfortable commute in Normal mode.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized functionality, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Premier trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, although the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy loading of children and cargo. The Ascent's cargo space was generous, with up to 2,140 litres available when the second-row seats were folded. However, third-row seat comfort was limited for adults on longer trips.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, while lacking a third-row option, provided a comfortable second row with ample headroom. The Cayenne's interior was highly customizable, with options for carbon fibre or aluminum trim and various seat adjustments. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, matching that of a mid-size pickup truck, but its cargo space was smaller than some competitors. The standard Cayenne offered 772 litres of space behind the second row, expanding to 1,708 litres with the seats folded down. The coupe version had slightly less cargo space.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent featured the Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen display, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included a navigation system and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. While the system worked well, the display could wash out in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition system was subpar. Physical buttons and knobs were available for commonly used functions, and a surround-view camera was included in the Premier trim.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with the Porsche Communication Management system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne's infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times and voice control options. A head-up display and night-vision assist were available, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was known for its safety features, with a high-strength steel platform and the standard EyeSight collection of safety systems. It received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most assessments and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The EyeSight package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the lane-centring assist technology was criticized for its performance, causing instability and discomfort during testing.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard safety features like parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. The Cayenne's advanced adaptive cruise control system, InnoDrive, was not tested due to the car's German specifications. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the 2025 Cayenne for safety.