Toyota Highlander vs Porsche Cayenne

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave it a compact appearance despite its spacious interior. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions, making it ideal for families. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, navy blue exterior, unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander lineup in Canada included trims such as LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, each offering a range of features from standard all-wheel drive and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system to premium LED headlamps and a panoramic moonroof in higher trims.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, available as a standard SUV or a sporty Cayenne Coupe, offered a range of trims from the base model to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. The GTS trim featured high gloss black trim, a unique front fascia with larger air intakes, tinted headlights, and red brake calipers visible through 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Cayenne allowed for extensive customization, from interior colours to seat belts, with options for custom paint jobs and various interior materials. The Cayenne's cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a shifter toggle mounted on the dashboard for added storage space.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with no front-wheel drive option in Canada. The Highlander featured drive modes such as Sport, Normal, and Eco, along with AWD modes like Mud/Sand and Rock. While the V6 provided better pickup at cruising speeds, it was less lively from a standstill. The Highlander excelled in handling, with the XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll and maintaining comfort over bumps. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms and had a max payload of 775 kilograms.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a variety of engines, starting with a 3.0-litre V6 producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 hp. The GTS trim, with a 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 Cayenne's steering, borrowed from the Turbo GT, provided precise turn-in, and its active suspension and Pirelli P Zero tires enhanced agility. The GTS offered a balance between sporty performance and comfort, with optional carbon ceramic brakes providing ample stopping power. The Cayenne could tow 3,500 kilograms and had a payload capacity of over 635 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, it provided 1,370 litres, and with all seats deployed, 453 litres behind the third row. The Highlander featured deep cargo pockets, multiple storage compartments, and second-row captain’s chairs for added convenience. While the second row was spacious for adults, the third row was best suited for short trips.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, accommodating five people, offered 772 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 1,708 litres with the seats folded. The coupe version had slightly less space, with 576 and 1,486 litres, respectively. The Cayenne's interior was highly customizable, with options for various materials and features. However, it lacked a third-row seating option, unlike some competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system featured a straightforward layout with hard buttons for ease of use. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and additional USB ports, with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system available as options.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne included a head-up display, night-vision assist, and four high-speed USB-C charging ports. A cooled wireless charging area was standard, preventing phone overheating during charging.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and more. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. The Highlander was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered 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.