Porsche Cayenne vs Subaru Crosstrek

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek retained much of its predecessor's design, yet introduced new elements like fresh sheet metal, a new chassis, and additional color options such as Sun Blaze, Offshore Blue, and Sapphire Blue. The Wilderness trim offered an exclusive Geyser Blue paint job. While the wheelbase and overall length remained nearly unchanged, the Crosstrek featured a steeper departure angle and slightly reduced cargo space. The base trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for off-road adventures. The new design included a clever front fascia with headlights that appeared to merge with the wing bar, giving it a smiling appearance. Black plastic cladding protected the wheel arches, and air inlets and outlets improved aerodynamics. The split taillight design from the second generation continued, enhancing trunk access. The Wilderness trim added unique exterior elements, increased ground clearance, and a ladder-style roof rack. Inside, the Crosstrek Wilderness featured StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, copper accents, and all-weather floor mats. The interior dimensions remained largely unchanged, with a slightly smaller cargo volume. A new 11.6-inch touchscreen display added a modern touch to the interior.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a choice between a standard SUV with a squared-off rear end and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The GTS trim level featured high gloss black trim, bronze exhaust tips, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. Red brake calipers peeked through 21-inch wheels, and the Cayenne Coupe boasted an adaptive rear spoiler. Inside, customization options abounded, from color choices to trim and seat belts. The Cayenne's cabin featured mechanical controls for essential functions, with a well-organized layout. The center console's sliding feature was the only minor drawback. Overall, the Cayenne's interior was thoughtfully designed, offering a blend of luxury and functionality.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), as the manual transmission was no longer available. The CVT provided a pleasant driving experience with simulated shift points and minimal droning. The Crosstrek Wilderness trim featured a shorter final-drive ratio, enhancing its off-road capabilities and towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a new dual-pinion steering rack. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system was standard across all trims, offering enhanced traction control. Fuel economy for the Crosstrek was competitive, with the 2.0-liter engine achieving 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the 2.5-liter engine delivered slightly lower figures.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a base 3.0-liter V6 producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne S featured a V8 engine with 468 horsepower, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 horsepower. Plug-in hybrid options were available, with up to 729 horsepower. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, delivered 493 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne's eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive system ensured quick acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 171 mph. The GTS trim offered a balance between sporty performance and comfort, with precise steering and agile handling. The optional carbon ceramic brakes provided excellent stopping power. The Cayenne's adaptive suspension and dynamic chassis control contributed to its impressive driving dynamics. The Cayenne's towing capacity exceeded 7,700 pounds, making it a versatile choice for those needing both performance and utility.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza platform, offered competitive cargo space and utility for a subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were adequate, although taller passengers might prefer the front seats. The Crosstrek provided 19.9 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to 54.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The interior featured durable materials, with a focus on practicality. The Wilderness trim added adventure-oriented features, including Nalgene cupholders and all-weather floor mats.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne, true to Porsche's a la carte approach, offered limited standard features. The base model included eight-way power-adjustable seats, two-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Higher trims added options like a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The Cayenne's interior could be extensively customized, with options for carbon fiber, aluminum, and bronze Neodyme accents. The Cayenne accommodated five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom in the second row. The standard Cayenne offered 27.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to over 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The coupe version had slightly less cargo space. The Cayenne's towing capacity exceeded 7,700 pounds, making it a versatile choice for those needing both performance and utility.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, previously seen in the Subaru Ascent and Outback. The display offered crisp graphics and retained physical controls for essential functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all but the Base trim, with a wireless charging pad available as an option. The infotainment system had some drawbacks, including glare in bright sunlight and complex menu navigation. In states with Right to Repair laws, certain features were removed, such as remote start via the Subaru Starlink app.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a range of screens, including a standard 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The Porsche Communication Management system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify, Apple Music, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne's screens were well-organized and responsive, with voice control options. A head-up display provided essential information, although it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne featured four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek had a strong safety record, with a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS since 2013. While the 2024 model had not yet been reviewed, it was expected to maintain high safety standards. The NHTSA had not crash-tested the 2024 model, but the 2023 Crosstrek received five stars overall. Subaru's EyeSight safety system was standard, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2024 model included a wider-angle lens for improved road visibility and automatic emergency steering for enhanced safety.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard safety features like parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system provided advanced traffic incident preparation, but it was not available for testing. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the 2025 Cayenne for safety.