Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 BMW X5 M VS 2013 Porsche Cayenne Near Phoenix, AZ

The X5 M has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X5 M offers an optional Top View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Cayenne only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The X5 M has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the X5 M and the Cayenne have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The X5 M’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Cayenne’s (12 vs. 10 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 M for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Porsche doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Cayenne.

There are over 74 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5 M’s warranty.

The camshafts in the X5 M’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The Cayenne 3.6 DOHC V6’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the Cayenne’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 255 more horsepower (555 vs. 300) and 205 lbs.-ft. more torque (500 vs. 295) than the Cayenne’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 175 more horsepower (555 vs. 380) and 72 lbs.-ft. more torque (500 vs. 428) than the Cayenne Hybrid’s standard 3.0 supercharged V6 hybrid. The X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 155 more horsepower (555 vs. 400) and 131 lbs.-ft. more torque (500 vs. 369) than the Cayenne S’ standard 4.8 DOHC V8. The X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 55 more horsepower (555 vs. 500) than the Cayenne Turbo’s standard 4.8 turbo V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW X5 M is faster than the Cayenne Turbo (automatics tested):

For better stopping power the X5 M’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Cayenne:

The X5 M stops shorter than the Cayenne:

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the Cayenne (F:275/40R20 & R:315/35R20 vs. 255/55R18).

The X5 M’s 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayenne’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Cayenne.

The X5 M has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 M’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Cayenne (115.5 inches vs. 114 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X5 M is quieter than the Cayenne Turbo:

The X5 M has 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne.

The X5 M’s cargo area provides more volume than the Cayenne.

The X5 M’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Cayenne.

The X5 M offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed and navigation instruction readouts onto the windshield, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left down on the X5 M the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X5 M has a standard rear variable intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Cayenne only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

When the X5 M is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Cayenne’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional BMW Apps for the X5 M allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations, tagging songs to buy them later, following twitter accounts and other online activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The Cayenne doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.