2025 Porsche Cayenne vs 2026 Volvo XC60

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne presented itself as a versatile SUV, available in both a standard model with a squared-off rear end and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The lineup ranged from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, each with distinct exterior features. The GTS trim, which was the focus of this review, boasted high gloss black trim, a unique front fascia with larger air intakes, and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers were visible through 21-inch anthracite gray wheels, and the Cayenne Coupe featured an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from colour choices like Carmine Red to various trim and seat belt options. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle for added storage space.

The 2026 Volvo XC60, available in Canada as the B5 mild hybrid and T8 Plug-in Hybrid, was reviewed in its B5 Ultra trim. This model came with numerous upgrades, pushing its MSRP beyond $80,000. The XC60's Forest Lake paint, with its blue flecks and undertones, added a striking visual appeal. The 22-inch wheels enhanced its presence, and the nearly decade-old design aged gracefully. Inside, the XC60 Ultra featured a clean Scandinavian design with plush Nappa leather, premium wood trim, and classy metal speaker grilles. The interior exuded a sense of calm and luxury, with robust metal door release handles, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and Bowers & Wilkins audio hardware. While minimalism ruled the interior, some controls required acclimatization over time.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, all capable of delivering impressive performance on back roads. The base model featured a 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Cayenne S offered a V8 with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT, available only as a coupe, boasted 650 hp. Plug-in hybrid options provided up to 729 hp for peak performance. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed transmission distributed power to all four wheels, allowing the GTS to accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 275 km/h. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty and comfortable driving, with precise steering and a low centre of gravity. The optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power, and the GTS transformed into a comfortable commuter in Normal mode.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 B5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain included a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with regenerative braking. While not a powerhouse, the XC60 B5 achieved a 0-100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds. However, turbo lag and transmission delays affected power delivery. The XC60's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, with a combined rating of 9.0 L/100 km but actual results of 9.5 L/100 km on a fuel economy loop. The 22-inch wheels impacted ride quality, but the air suspension in Comfort mode smoothed out most road imperfections. In Firm mode, the XC60 displayed agility on mountain roads, though the light steering lacked feedback, and the brakes experienced some fade. The XC60 was equipped with Standard and Off-Road modes, but its ground clearance limited off-road capabilities. It excelled as a road trip vehicle, offering comfort and ease of parking.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte customization, with limited standard features. The base model included eight-way power-adjustable seats, heated but not cooled or massaging, and two-zone climate control. Higher trims like the GTS added a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The options list was extensive, allowing buyers to personalize their Cayenne with features like carbon fibre or aluminum interior accents, adjustable seats, and more. However, the Cayenne lacked a third row, accommodating only five passengers. The second row provided ample headroom, even in the coupe version. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, matching that of a mid-size pickup truck, but its cargo space was smaller than competitors. The standard Cayenne offered 772 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,708 litres with the rear seats folded. The coupe version had slightly less space, and plug-in hybrid models sacrificed some utility.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 excelled in long-distance travel comfort, thanks to its top-shelf front seats with Nappa leather, heating, cooling, massage, and extending leg supports. Rear seats, however, were less comfortable, with firm cushions and low positioning. The XC60 featured a four-zone automatic climate control system and a panoramic sunroof. In-cabin storage was adequate, with tamboured covers for cupholders and large bins in the front door panels. Rear storage was less generous, but the centre armrest included cupholders and storage. The XC60's cargo space measured 613 litres behind the rear seats, accommodating a family of four on a road trip. The 40:20:40-split folding back seat allowed for versatile cargo configurations, with a maximum capacity of 1,410 litres.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne impressed with its array of screens, including a standard 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster with customizable views and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display running the Porsche Communication Management system. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify, Apple Music, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control, with a screen filter to prevent driver distraction. The head-up display provided essential information, though it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne featured four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area, ensuring devices stayed cool while charging.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 received updates to its infotainment system, featuring a larger 11.2-inch touchscreen display in portrait orientation. The Volvo Car UX software powered the system, offering a four-year subscription to Digital Services, including Google built-in apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play. Remote App Services allowed for remote engine starting, door lock/unlock, and cabin temperature pre-conditioning. While the infotainment system functioned well, navigating saved favourite stations proved challenging. The voice recognition system and Google Assistant offered alternative control options. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though Apple CarPlay required a wired connection. The optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system, with 15 speakers and 1,410 watts of power, delivered lush sound quality.

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. Porsche's advanced adaptive cruise control system, InnoDrive, was not available for testing. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the 2025 Cayenne for safety, and recent models had not been evaluated by these organizations.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS due to an Acceptable rating in the side-impact crash test. Despite this, the XC60 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning with large animal detection, oncoming collision mitigation braking, and intersection braking assist. Integrated rear booster child seats were available as an option. However, the real-world performance of the driver assistance tech fell short of expectations. The Pilot Assist system struggled with lane tracking and braking in traffic, and the lane keep assist system required more effort for course corrections. The XC60 earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five-star ratings in individual crash tests except for rollover resistance.