Compare the2025 Mercedes G-ClassVS 2025 Porsche Cayenne

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes G-Class have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Porsche Cayenne doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the G-Class are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mercedes G-Class’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Porsche Cayenne does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the G-Class and the Cayenne have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the G-Class’ warranty.

The G-Class has more powerful engines than the Cayenne:

As tested in Motor Trend the AMG G 63 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the Porsche Cayenne:

On the EPA test cycle the G-Class running on electricity gets better mileage than the Cayenne running on electricity:

The G-Class can travel longer on electricity, only, on a full charge than the Cayenne on electricity, only, on a full charge:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the G-Class AMG 63’s fuel efficiency. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The G-Class has 8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (26.4 vs. 18.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The G-Class has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cayenne’s standard fuel tank (26.4 vs. 23.7 gallons).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Mercedes G-Class at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Porsche Cayenne is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes G-Class, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Cayenne.

The G-Class stops shorter than the Cayenne:

For better traction, the G-Class has larger standard tires than the Cayenne (265/60R18 vs. 255/55R20). The G-Class’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cayenne (295/40R22 vs. 285/45R21).

The G-Class has a standard full size spare (not available on 580) so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Cayenne; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For greater off-road capability the G-Class has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cayenne E-Hybrid (9.5 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the G-Class to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The G 580’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid (9.8 vs. 9.5 inches).

The G 550 is 1 foot shorter than the Cayenne, making the G-Class easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The G-Class has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne.

The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cayenne with its rear seat up (34.8 vs. 27.3 cubic feet). The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cayenne with its rear seat folded (68.6 vs. 60.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the G-Class easier. The G-Class’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.3 inches, while the Cayenne’s liftover is 31 inches.

While the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid can only tow 6614, any G-Class can tow a minimum of 7000 pounds.

The G-Class 580 can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the G-Class can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Cayenne can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The G-Class has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

If the windows are left open on the G-Class the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The G-Class’ power window, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cayenne’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2024 issue and they ranked the Mercedes G 550 higher than the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid.