Porsche Cayenne vs Acura RDX

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne presented itself as a versatile luxury SUV, available in both a standard SUV form and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The GTS trim, which was the focus of our review, featured distinctive high gloss black trim and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes to cool its V8 engine. The exterior was further enhanced by tinted headlights and red brake calipers visible through 21-inch anthracite grey wheels. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, allowing owners to tailor everything from the colour scheme to the seat belts. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential functions, although the sliding centre console was a minor drawback.

The 2025 Acura RDX, positioned between the smaller ADX and larger MDX, offered a refined design with a frameless grille and new wheel designs. The Platinum Elite A-Spec trim added a sporty touch with gloss black accents and a finned rear diffuser. Inside, the RDX featured full leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof, with ambient lighting enhancing the cabin's atmosphere. The interior materials were of high quality, with soft premium leather and simulated suede adorning various surfaces. However, the gauges in the A-Spec trims were harder to read due to reduced contrast, and the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was less intuitive.

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 boasted 650 hp, available only in the coupe form. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty and comfortable, with precise steering and an agile suspension system. The Cayenne's adaptive suspension and dynamic chassis control contributed to its impressive handling, while optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power.

The 2025 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Its 10-speed automatic transmission, paired with the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, offered manual control via paddle shifters. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) allowed drivers to choose from Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Snow modes, adjusting powertrain response and steering effort. While the RDX's performance was lively, its fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 14.6 L/100 km during testing. The RDX's steering was crisp and responsive, but its brakes and suspension lacked the thrill sought by driving enthusiasts.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a customizable interior with options for carbon fibre or aluminum accents. The base model featured eight-way power-adjustable seats, with higher trims offering Race-Tex or leather upholstery. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers, with ample headroom in the second row. Cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with 772 litres behind the second row and 1,708 litres with seats folded. The coupe version offered 576 and 1,486 litres, respectively. The Cayenne's towing capacity was impressive, matching that of a mid-size pickup truck.

The 2025 Acura RDX's Platinum Elite A-Spec trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The interior offered soft or padded surfaces, with a heated steering wheel standard on A-Spec trims. While front seats were comfortable, rear seat comfort was less satisfactory for taller passengers. The RDX provided generous storage space, with 835 litres of cargo space expanding to 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded. Three underfloor storage compartments added to its practicality, although the centre console design was compromised by the TTI touchpad.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with voice control options and a head-up display. Four USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area were standard features.

The 2025 Acura RDX featured a 10.2-inch display controlled by the TTI touchpad. While the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-in, the touchpad was less intuitive, especially on bumpy roads. The RDX included a stereo volume knob, radio tuning buttons, and separate climate controls. The infotainment system also offered SiriusXM satellite radio, AcuraLink connected services, and a premium sound system with 16 speakers.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne included 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 not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS for safety.

The 2025 Acura RDX came with the AcuraWatch safety package, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims offered low-speed braking and a surround-view camera system. The RDX received a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA.