Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Porsche CAYENNE VS 2015 Volvo XC60 Near Phoenix, AZ

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cayenne. But it costs extra on the XC60.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Cayenne’s standard Porsche Hill Control allows you to creep down safely. The XC60 doesn’t offer Porsche Hill Control.

Both the Cayenne and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The Cayenne’s 10 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the XC60 runs out after 100,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Cayenne has a standard 220-amp alternator (190-amp - Cayenne V8). The XC60’s 180-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne third among midsize premium CUVs in their 2013 Initial Quality Study. The XC60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2013 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 18th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2013 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 55 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 24th.

The Cayenne has more powerful engines than the XC60:

The Cayenne’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 236) than the XC60 3.2’s standard 3.2 DOHC 6 cyl. The Cayenne’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 258) than the XC60 T5 Drive-E’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The Cayenne’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 325) than the XC60 T6’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. The Cayenne’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 354) than the XC60 T6’s optional 3.0 turbo 6 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cayenne S Hybrid is faster than the XC60 T6 Polestar (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne Diesel gets better fuel mileage than the XC60 AWD (20 city/29 hwy vs. 17 city/24 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne S Hybrid gets better fuel mileage than the XC60 AWD (20 city/24 hwy vs. 17 city/24 hwy).

Regardless of its engine, the Cayenne’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) Volvo only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the XC60 Drive-E.

The Cayenne has 7.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC60 (26.4 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

The Cayenne’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC60 are solid, not vented.

The Cayenne offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The XC60 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the XC60:

For better traction, the Cayenne has larger standard tires than the XC60 (255/55R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (295/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Cayenne’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC60’s 60 series tires. The Cayenne’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the XC60’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne offers optional 21-inch wheels. The XC60’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Cayenne has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Cayenne (except Hybrid) offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XC60 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC60.

The Cayenne offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The XC60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cayenne offers optional vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The XC60 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the XC60 (114 inches vs. 109.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is .9 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than on the XC60.

The Cayenne’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.3% to 47.7%) than the XC60’s (58.9% to 41.1%). This gives the Cayenne more stable handling and braking.

The Cayenne GTS handles at .95 G’s, while the XC60 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the XC60 T6 AWD (24.8 seconds @ .81 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Turbo has a 1.65 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 (10.75 vs. 9.1 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Cayenne Diesel is quieter than the XC60 AWD (70 vs. 74 dB).

The Cayenne has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cayenne’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Cayenne easier. The Cayenne’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 25.5 inches, while the XC60’s liftover is 29.4 inches.

The Cayenne’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XC60’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the XC60, the Cayenne offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Cayenne’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Cayenne’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The XC60 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Cayenne’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC60’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cayenne to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the XC60.

Consumer Reports rated the Cayenne’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the XC60’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The XC60 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Cayenne has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Cayenne’s optional air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The XC60 doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.

Insurance will cost less for the Cayenne owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Cayenne with a number “5” insurance rate while the XC60 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cayenne is less expensive to operate than the XC60 because typical repairs cost much less on the Cayenne than the XC60, including $462 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Cayenne and the Volvo XC60, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne first among midsize premium CUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XC60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

Motor Trend selected the Cayenne as their 2011 Sport Utility of the Year. The XC60 has never been chosen.