Porsche Cayenne vs Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne presented itself as a versatile luxury SUV, available in both a standard SUV form and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The GTS trim, which was the focus of our review, stood out with its high gloss black trim and distinctive bronze exhaust tips. The front fascia, unique to the GTS, featured larger air intakes and tinted headlights, complemented by red brake calipers visible through 21-inch anthracite gray wheels. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from color choices to trim and seat belts, allowing owners to create a truly unique vehicle. Despite the high level of personalization, the cabin layout was intuitive, with mechanical controls for essential functions and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle that maximized storage space.

In contrast, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander was available in ES, SE, and SEL trims, with a bold front design that was hard to miss. The lighting design, featuring a thin upper eyebrow and large square headlights, was distinctive, though not universally appealing. Subtle changes to the grille and diffuser for 2025 did little to alter its overall appearance. Inside, the top SEL trim offered quilted leather seats and soft-touch surfaces, with physical controls for the HVAC system providing ease of use. The Yamaha speaker faces added a touch of elegance, though some plastic elements detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.0-liter V6 producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 hp, though only available as a coupe. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. The GTS was quick, reaching 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 171 mph. The steering, borrowed from the Turbo GT, provided precise handling, and the vehicle's lowered stance and advanced suspension system contributed to its agility. The Cayenne GTS excelled in both sporty and comfortable driving modes, offering a versatile driving experience.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While comparable to competitors like the Mazda CX-50 and Honda CR-V, the Outlander lacked the power needed for an enjoyable drive. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) struggled with acceleration, and the vehicle's fuel economy fell short of class leaders. The plug-in hybrid version offered a more powerful alternative, with 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, along with improved fuel efficiency. The Outlander's AWD system, developed from rally racing experience, provided stability on curvy roads, though the suspension could be harsh on city streets.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte customization, with standard features like eight-way power-adjustable seats and two-zone climate control. Higher trims added options like a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers, with ample headroom in the second row, but lacked a third-row option. Cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with 27.3 cubic feet behind the second row in the standard model, expanding to over 60 cubic feet with seats folded. The coupe version offered less space, and plug-in hybrid models further reduced cargo capacity.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a third row of seating, though it was cramped and best suited for small children. With the third row in place, cargo space was limited to less than 11 cubic feet, but folding the seats increased storage to 30 cubic feet. The interior offered practical features like physical HVAC controls and spacious cup holders, though some design elements could be improved. Upper trims included heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats, enhancing comfort for passengers.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne impressed with its array of screens, including a standard 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for media control and video streaming. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with voice control options and a head-up display for driver convenience. The Cayenne also featured four USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander introduced a new Yamaha premium sound system, with upper trims offering a 12-speaker, 1,650-watt setup. The system allowed for sound customization and volume adjustment based on driving conditions. The Outlander came with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and physical controls for volume and camera functions. Upper trims included a digital gauge cluster, rear camera mirror, and head-up display. Mitsubishi Connect and Remote Services offered additional convenience features, though some were not available for testing.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard safety features like parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, but advanced features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist required additional cost. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the Cayenne for safety.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander provided basic safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. The NHTSA had not rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 version received favorable ratings in side and frontal crashes. The IIHS rated the Outlander's headlights as "Good," with previous models receiving mixed ratings for crash prevention and seat belt reminders.