GMC Yukon vs Porsche Cayenne

The 2022 GMC Yukon was a striking presence on the road, especially for those with a penchant for chrome. Even the base SLE model boasted enough shiny elements to give it a premium appearance. As one ascended the trim levels to the Denali, the deliberate use of chrome became even more apparent. The Denali's front was almost entirely constructed of chrome, with a vast, multi-dimensional grille that resembled an industrial-sized cheese grater. This design choice gave the vehicle a unique look and a commanding presence, essential for a full-size luxury SUV. The Denali's 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint, adding to its allure. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured four exclusive interior designs, with the Teak/Light Shale colour combo being particularly noteworthy for its premium look.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, available as a standard SUV or a sporty Cayenne Coupe, offered a range of trim levels from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. The GTS trim level, which was the focus of this review, featured high gloss black trim and a specific front fascia with larger air intakes and tinted headlights. Red brake calipers peeked through 21-inch wheels in anthracite gray, and the Cayenne Coupe came with an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, the Cayenne allowed for extensive customization, from the colour to the trim and even the seat belts. The cabin was well laid out, with mechanical controls for important features like HVAC and volume. The centre console, however, was noted for sliding fore and aft with slight pressure, which was a minor criticism in an otherwise well-thought-out interior.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-litre V8 engine standard on all trims except the Denali, which produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali and AT4 trims featured a 6.2-litre V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. A new addition to the lineup was the 3.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, available on all trims except the AT4. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 3,810 kilograms with the 5.3-litre engine and the Max Trailering Package. The Denali trim, equipped with the 6.2-litre V8, had a tow rating of 3,629 kilograms. The Yukon featured independent rear suspension, providing better handling and a smoother ride, although some bouncing was noted over rutted pavement.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered several engine options, with the base 3.0-litre V6 producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne S featured a V8 engine with 468 horsepower, while the Turbo GT offered 650 horsepower, available only as a coupe. Plug-in hybrid options were also available, with up to 729 horsepower. The GTS trim, tested here, had a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine producing 493 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed transmission delivered power to all four wheels, allowing the Cayenne to reach 100 kilometres per hour in 4.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono package. The GTS trim featured components from the Turbo GT, including a water-cooled transfer case and an active suspension, providing agile handling despite its weight. The Cayenne's steering was precise, and the optional carbon ceramic brakes offered ample stopping power. In Normal mode, the GTS transformed into a comfortable commuter, showcasing its versatility.

The 2022 GMC Yukon, with its three-row seating, provided ample space for passengers, especially in the third row, which saw a significant increase in legroom to 886 mm. Cargo space behind the third row also increased to 722 litres. The redesign included a longer wheelbase and independent rear suspension, contributing to the additional space. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easier access to the third row. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding centre console with hidden storage, and power-retractable, illuminated assist steps were part of the Denali Ultimate Package. The pushbutton transmission controls were a modern touch, although they required some acclimation.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, while not offering a third row, provided comfortable seating for five, with ample headroom in the second row. The Cayenne could tow up to 3,500 kilograms and accommodate over 635 kilograms of payload. Cargo space in the standard Cayenne was 772 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,708 litres with the seats folded down. The coupe version offered slightly less space, with 576 and 1,486 litres, respectively. The plug-in hybrid models had reduced cargo space due to the battery. The Cayenne's interior was highly customizable, with options for carbon fibre, aluminum, or bronze Neodyme accents, and various seat configurations.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came equipped with a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre, providing access to phone, audio, and navigation functions. A 15-inch multi-colour head-up display was standard on the Denali trim, offering driving speed, speed limit, and safety information. The 10.2-inch touchscreen featured the GMC infotainment system with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Denali trim included a Bose 14-speaker audio system, although the sound quality was not as rich as expected. The rear-seat media system featured dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens, compatible with various media formats.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with the Porsche Communication Management system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with Spotify, Apple Music, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The head-up display provided pertinent information, although it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne included four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Pro Safety Plus package added lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Safety Alert Seat and adjustable rear camera mirror enhanced safety. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance.

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