2025 Porsche Cayenne vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available in both a standard SUV form and a sporty Cayenne Coupe, each with distinct exterior features across its trim levels. The GTS trim, in particular, stood out with high gloss black trim, a unique front fascia with larger air intakes, and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers were visible through its 21-inch anthracite grey wheels, and the Cayenne Coupe boasted an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from cabin colours to seat belts, though these could significantly increase the price. Despite the abundance of screens, essential controls remained mechanical, and the cabin layout was praised for its thoughtful design, with the only minor criticism being the easily movable centre console.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages tailored to different powertrains, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package and the TX 500h hybrid starting with the F Sport Performance 2 package. The exterior maintained a large grille with sharp bi-LED headlights and a rear LED light strip. Inside, the TX provided three interior colour options and ambient lighting, though the material quality was not up to luxury standards. The redesigned door handles were a unique feature, but some might have preferred more attention to detail elsewhere in the cabin. The TX's interior was spacious, with a third row that accommodated adults comfortably, and the cargo space was generous, especially with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.0-litre V6 producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT, available only as a coupe, boasted 650 hp. The plug-in hybrid options reached up to 729 hp. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 275 km/h. The GTS was praised for its precise steering, lowered centre of gravity, and agile handling, enhanced by Pirelli P Zero tires and an active suspension. The carbon ceramic brakes required some adjustment but offered strong stopping power. The Cayenne GTS balanced sporty performance with daily driving comfort, and even the base model could be equipped with features to enhance its driving dynamics.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 came with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid increased output to 366 hp. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 had full-time AWD, while the TX 500h employed Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Drive modes included Normal, Eco, and Sport, with Sport mode offering increased throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h also featured adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling. While not designed as a sports car, the TX provided a comfortable and responsive driving experience.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte customization, with the base model featuring eight-way power-adjustable seats, two-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. Higher trims like the GTS added a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner, with options for leather or Race-Tex interiors. The options list was extensive, allowing for personalization of various interior elements. However, the Cayenne only seated five, with the second row providing ample headroom. The standard Cayenne offered 772 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,708 litres with the rear seats folded, while the coupe version had slightly less space. The Cayenne could tow up to 3,500 kilograms and handle a payload of over 635 kilograms.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats as standard. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and individual cupholders and USB-C ports. Access to the third row was facilitated by a one-touch button on the second-row seat, though folding the second row flat required multiple steps. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 572 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 2,747 litres with the rear seats folded. All TX models could tow up to 2,268 kilograms.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with the Porsche Communication Management system, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The screens were well-organized and responsive, with voice control options. A head-up display provided driver information, though it was dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne included four USB-C ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was user-friendly but lacked some features, such as manual satellite radio input. Steering wheel buttons controlled adaptive cruise control and volume, but their functions were not clearly labeled. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occurred. A subscription was required for in-dash navigation and other features. The TX offered a clear back-up camera with a bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system. It included seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt outlet in the second row.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne included standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, but adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not tested. The Cayenne had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS for safety.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and traffic sign recognition. Proactive Driving Assist applied brakes or steering when necessary. Adaptive cruise control worked well, though it was slow to resume speed. The TX received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and "Good" scores from IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side.