Last Updated on August 1, 2023 by Victor A
If you are on the lookout for a premium mid-size SUV is very likely that you have compared many different cars, so here are two you may be interested in: Porsche Cayenne versus Range Rover Sport.
As you might know, Porsche offers the Cayenne in two versions, standard and coupe, the standard has a more traditional SUV look in the rear, while the coupe has a sloping rear roofline.
Since Range Rover only offers the Sport in the traditional standard SUV form, we are going to benchmark it against the standard Cayenne.
The Cayenne and the Range Rover Sport design
When it comes to design we need to understand that the new Range Rover Sport just went through an important restyle where it looks considerably different from the former.
In contrast, the Cayenne went through a minor face-lift in the past years, however, the German brand is not very keen on considerably changing the image of their vehicles.
Exterior Design
While the Cayenne looks more traditional and mature, the new Range Rover Sport rocks a sleeker and more modern look.
However, the new Sport looks odd if you look at it from some angles, and the rear back may look uninspired to many people.
The Cayenne, in contrast, went through an evolutionary design that with each iteration has gained a more solid look, the only problem with it is that it reached a point where it needs to refresh its looks.
For the exterior design, we think the Cayenne wins, although we like the Range Rover, it looks like the design time didn’t give it as much thought as with the new Land Rover Range Rover which looks way better.
Interior design
Here’s where the new Range Rover Sport shines since the British brand has decided to overhaul the entire interior, where it now looks more simplified, but more elegant, and contemporary.
The new infotainment screen does a great job of conveying the points stated above, which is further complemented by the new stylish steering wheel.
The Cayenne still looks actual by today’s standards, however, we can’t ignore the fact that it’s been the same interior for so many years where the biggest changes happened in the size of the screen and some other minor details.
Here we believe that the Range Rover Sport wins.
Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport models and specifications
The Rand Rover Sport US line-up differs from the European one, where the US is more simplified, while the European one receives more powertrain options.
The most notable difference between the models in each region is that in Europe there are two diesel models, the D300, and D350, and a powerful PHEV model that sits below the range-topper P530, and the P510e.
In the US, the new Range Rover Sport gets an additional entry-level version, the mild-hybrid P360.
Land Rover hasn’t made any announcement about the possibility of the P360 reaching Europe, or the P510e coming to the US.
Here are all the current 2023 Range Rover Sport models:
- Sport D300: 3.0-liter I6, mild-hybrid diesel, 296 hp (300 PS), 479 lb-ft (650 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 6.3sec, only available in Europe.
- Sport D350: 3.0-liter I6, mild-hybrid diesel, 345 hp (350 PS), 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.6sec, only available in Europe.
- Sport P360: 3.0-liter turbo I6, mild-hybrid, 355 hp (360 PS), 369 lb-ft (500 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.7 seconds, only available in the US.
- Sport P400: 3.0-liter turbo I6, mild-hybrid, 395 hp (400 PS), 406 lb-ft (550 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.4sec, available in the US and Europe.
- Sport P440e: 3.0-liter turbo I6, PHEV, 434 hp (440 PS), 457 lb-ft (620 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.5sec, available in the US and Europe.
- Sport P510e: 3.0-liter turbo I6, PHEV, 503 hp (510 PS), 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.2sec, only available in Europe.
- Sport P530: 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, 523 hp (530 PS), 553 lb-ft (750 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.3sec, available in the US and Europe.
For the Cayenne, all the models are available both in Europe and the US.
Find below all the Porsche Cayenne (in standard form) models:
- Cayenne: 3.0-liter turbo V6, 335 hp (340 PS), 332 lb-ft (450 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.6 seconds.
- Cayenne E-Hybrid: 3.0-liter turbo V6, PHEV, 455 hp (462 PS), 516 lb-ft (702 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.7 seconds.
- Cayenne S: 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, 434 hp (440 PS), 405 lb-ft (550 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.6 seconds.
- Cayenne GTS: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, 453 hp (460 PS), 457 lb-ft (620 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.2 seconds.
- Cayenne Turbo: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, 541 hp (550 PS), 567 lb-ft (770 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds.
- Cayenne Turbo S: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, PHEV, 670 hp (680 PS), 332 lb-ft (450 Nm), 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.6 seconds.
To keep things simple, we are not going to benchmark the Range Rover Sport’s diesel versions against the Cayenne models, since Porsche stopped selling diesel cars in 2018.
And since all the Range Rover Sport’s versions except the P530 are hybrid, we can only compare the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid vs the Range Rover Sport P440e, while the P530 will face the Cayenne Turbo.
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid versus Range Rover Sport P440e
Starting with the Cayenne E-Hybrid, which combines a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with an electric motor to produce 455 hp (462 PS) and 516 lb-ft (702 Nm) of torque.
The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid can speed up from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.7 seconds, and it can reach a top speed of 157 mph (253 km/h).
Pricing for the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid starts at $86,500 in the US and €97,903 in Europe.
Similarly, the Sport P440e uses plug-in hybrid technology to pair a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six to an electric motor which results in 434 hp (440 PS) and 457 lb-ft (620 Nm) of torque.
The Range Rover Sport P440e can go from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.5 seconds and its top speed is rated at 140 mph (225 km/h).
The Sport P440e starts at $104,200 in the United States, while in Europe the price starts at €118,800.
There’s no doubt that the Cayenne E-Hybrid is a superior car in terms of specifications.
Porsche Cayenne Turbo vs Range Rover Sport P530
The Cayenne Turbo is one of the most powerful Cayenne models, although, the Turbo S E-Hybrids packs way more power but since it’s considerably more expensive and a plug-in hybrid it doesn’t directly compete against the range-topper Range Rover Sport,
While the Cayenne Turbo GT is only available in coupe form, plus is way more powerful and sporty than the Range Rover.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo packs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 541 hp (550 PS) and 567 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque.
It can speed up from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds, and its top speed is rated at 178 mph (286 km/h).
The Cayenne Turbo will set you back at a starting price of $135,900 in the US, and €152,048 in Europe.
The Range Rover Sport P530 uses a BMW-sourced 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that pumps out 523 hp (530 PS) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque.
Acceleration is rated at 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.3 seconds and it can reach a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
In terms of prices, the Sport P530 First Edition starts at $121,500 in the US and €142.600 in Europe.
Again, Porsche wins here, as the Cayenne Turbo beats the Sport P530 in every aspect.
Which one is better? Porsche Cayenne versus Range Rover Sport
Without a doubt, the Porsche Cayenne is the clear winner here, its model offering is more attractive and exciting than the Range Rover’s.
The Cayenne is just a more complete SUV, it comes with more power, is faster, and it has a better line-up.
Bear in mind that Land Rover is preparing the 2024 Range Rover Sport SVR which could take on the Cayenne Turbo S or the Cayenne Turbo GT.
The partnership between BMW and Land Rover could prove to be fruitful once the British marque starts getting more power out of the engines that the Bavarians are supplying.
Also, it’s important to note that Land Rover still suffers from a negative image in terms of reliability, especially after the 2022 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability shows how Land Rover scores last while Porsche is seventh.
Hopefully, the new Range Rover Sport proves to everyone that Land Rover can make dependable cars.
