The 2025 Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6 are sleek performance SUVs with acceleration and handling to rival many sports cars. Each comes with a range of powerful turbocharged 6- and 8-cylinder engines, rapid-fire gearboxes, and tenacious all-wheel drive systems to keep their prodigious horsepower outputs under control in all conditions.
They are also fresh from updates that have given them added style and even more substance, particularly in terms of interior tech features and higher-performing drivetrains. Less about runs to home improvement stores, the Cayenne and X6 are more tuned for hot laps at a sinewy racetrack. That’s not to suggest they don’t have a practical side; each can serve as a comfortable daily driver with a respectable amount of luggage space behind their split-folding rear seat backs.
Let’s take a look at the highlights of the latest Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6 to see how they compare.
2025 Porsche Cayenne
Last year saw the Cayenne and Cayenne Coupe get revised front and rear end designs, extra choices of color and wheels, and a revamped interior highlighted by a 12.6-inch digital instrument display and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. If that’s not enough, there’s the option to add a 10.9-inch touchscreen just for the front passenger. Cleverly, it’s invisible to the driver to avoid added distraction.
New for 2025, the Cayenne gains standard ambient lighting, a surround view camera system, soft-close doors, and an improved cabin particulate air filter. Also new for 2025 is the return of the GTS model, sporting 493 hp from a twin-turbo V8.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, and the base drivetrain is a turbocharged V6 that produces 348 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This provides plenty of speed and is superbly matched to the direct steering and supple suspension. Truly heroic levels of performance are found with a 468-hp twin-turbo V8 in the Porsche Cayenne S or a 650-hp version of this same engine used in the Cayenne Turbo GT. The latter requires barely 3 seconds to sprint from 0-60 mph.
Porsche Cayenne Highlights
Two body styles: We mentioned these racy SUVs possess a practical side. In this regard, the Cayenne holds an advantage in that it’s available in two body styles. The regular issue Cayenne has a more traditional rectangular shape, whereas the Cayenne Coupe has a more tapered roofline. This sacrifices some second-row headroom and cargo space. However, the Coupe body style is the only one with that monstrous 650-hp powertrain.
E-Hybrid model: We get it. Fuel economy probably isn’t high on the list of priorities when cross-shopping ultra-sporty SUVs. Yet the Porsche Cayenne has something the X6 doesn’t: a dedicated hybrid variant. The E-Hybrid’s gas-electric turbocharged V6 produces 463 hp. According to Porsche, it needs only 4.6 seconds to travel from a standstill to 60 mph. Look for Porsche to add even stronger hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants as it fleshes out the lineup of the updated Cayenne.
Active suspension: The 2025 Porsche Cayenne’s active suspension, which delivers even greater agility and ride comfort than the outgoing model, is now standard. An air suspension is optional in lower trims and standard on the Turbo GT.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Cayenne models near you.
2025 BMW X6
The 2025 X6 is as aggressive as its looks suggest. To our eyes, it looks even brasher and bolder than the Porsche Cayenne, with its sharply angled front end that appears to be staring angrily ahead. Like its Porsche rival, the X6 also gets a touchscreen-intensive interior redesign and more horsepower for its standard drivetrain.
During our time with the BMW X6, we noted that it drives more like a luxury sport sedan than an SUV. This complement is more than simply the BMW’s outstanding acceleration that pins you into your seat when punching the accelerator. It feels finely honed with sharp steering reflexes and a ride that, while firm, doesn’t rattle you to pieces over bumpy roads.
BMW X6 Highlights
Potent standard drivetrain: The BMW X6 gets a significant boost in performance when it comes to its standard turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6. It now churns out 375 hp, a 40-hp improvement over the previous version. This scoots the X6 from 0-60 mph in a little more than 5 seconds. Silky smooth in operation, it’s perfectly matched to the 8-speed automatic that sends power to all four wheels. Offered in the X6 M60i is a mighty twin-turbo V8 that delivers 523 hp and cuts that acceleration time down to 4.2 seconds.
BMW Curved Display: More and bigger touchscreens are the current automotive vogue, and the X6 adheres firmly to this tech trend. Fitted with BMW’s new Curved Display, the dashboard features a seamless expanse of a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 12.3-inch Google-based infotainment screen. It looks great, and we’ve found it extremely easy to use.
M Sport Package: The once optional M Sport Package now comes standard on every X6. This is what gives BMW’s tough-looking SUV its more chiseled — and somewhat sinister — design language.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the X6 models near you.
Similarities
The Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6 are fast, packed with the latest tech, and have handling that fools you into thinking you’re somehow behind the wheel of a 911 or M4. They are also pricey and get even more so when you dive into their extensive options and climb to higher trims.
Pricing
New 2025 Porsche Cayenne Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (16214)
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|
$86,695 |
TBD |
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$99,195 |
TBD |
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$103,595 |
TBD |
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$107,095 |
TBD |
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$126,895 |
TBD |
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$158,995 |
TBD |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Porsche Cayenne vehicles and New 2025 BMW X6 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Porsche Cayenne | 2025 BMW X6 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 | Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 |
| Horsepower | 348 hp @ 5,400 rpm | 375 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
| Torque | 368 lb-ft @ 1,450 rpm | 398 lb-ft @ 1,850 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 17 city/23 highway/19 combined | 23 city/26 highway/24 combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 3.0-liter gas-electric V6, Twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 | Twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | N/R | N/R |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 114.0 inches | 117.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 194.1 inches | 194.8 inches |
| Width | 78.1 inches | 78.9 inches |
| Height | 66.9 inches | 66.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 40.0 feet | 39.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | N/A | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | N/A | 37.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | N/A | 40.4 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | N/A | 35.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | N/A | 60.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | N/A | 57.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 27.2/60.3 cubic feet | 27.4/59.6 cubic feet |
Conclusion
These two SUVs are outrageously fun to drive and represent some of the finest engineering know-how of either automaker. The fact they’re so quick and maneuverable despite their size, curb weight, and ride height is incredible. Of the two, the Cayenne ultimately has more horsepower and bragging rights in terms of sheer acceleration. No one would ever accuse the X6 of being a slowpoke, however, and it’s equally adept at carving through sharp corners. It also avoids going absolutely stratospheric in terms of pricing.
Throw everything at the Porsche Cayenne, and you’re easily looking at an SUV with a price hovering around $200K. Other than its disadvantage in terms of cargo-toting duty, we think the X6 takes a narrow victory.
