Comparo: 2013 BMW X5 xDrive 35d vs. Porsche Cayenne Diesel

Story by John LeBlanc Conflicted may be the best way to describe the diesel versions of the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne. For starters, their respective German badges promise a premium, fun-to-drive driving experience, a quality not expected from more plebeian sports utility vehicle brands. Secondly, with their optional diesel engines, the mid-sized BMW and Porsche are also expected to be more cost-efficient to run than their gas-powered versions. So between this pair of fun-to-drive yet fuel-efficient luxury SUVs, which one do I prefer?

FIRST PLACE: 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

In Europe, Porsche also sells its Panamera sedan with a diesel engine, but the Cayenne Diesel that arrived last fall is the first and only diesel-engine Porsche sold in Canada. In theory, buying a diesel will save you money at the pumps, but both these luxury SUVs aren’t cheap to buy. Price-wise, the Porsche and BMW are near equals with base prices within a couple of hundred dollars: The Cayenne Diesel costs $200 more than the X5 xDrive 35d’s $64,300 starting price. But with a $2,015 freight and pre-delivery inspection charge, and $9,275 worth of bi-xenon headlamps with Porsche Dynamic Light System, navigation, front and rear Park Assist System, auto-dimming exterior and interior mirrors, a trailer hitch and other details, the Porsche’s final price came to $75,790 — just $1,220 less than the BMW’s total cost. The five-passenger, all-wheel-drive Porsche SUV uses the same turbocharged six-cylinder TDI engine found in various Volkswagen Group vehicles, including the Cayenne’s Audi Q7 and VW Touareg platform mates. With 240 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, the Porsche’s 3.0-litre unit is 25 hp and 19 lb-ft shy of the BMW’s ratings. But with two more gears than the X5’s six-speed autobox — and less curb weight to haul around (2,015 kilograms versus the X5's 2,095) — the Porsche diesel scores better highway fuel economy estimates (6.7 L/100 km compared to the BMW’s 7.5 score), yet virtually the same city ratings (10.8 for the Porsche; 10.7 for the BMW). Porsche tries hard to make all its vehicles feels like sports cars, and between this pair of German SUVs, driving enthusiasts will be happier in the Cayenne. Its front seats offer more support than the X5’s thrones, and there are plenty of grab handles for your passengers when you’re showing off how well the Porsche can take a corner. Dimensionally, these two are almost identical in size, but compared to the X5, the Cayenne feels smaller and lighter on its tires, with sharper turn-in and less body roll. The Cayenne’s throttle feels soft at first, but once up-to-speed, its eight-speed transmission does a great job keeping the diesel at its optimum torque range. The Porsche’s exhaust and engine also sounds sportier than the agricultural noises the BMW’s powertrain emits. While the idea of a Porsche SUV (with a diesel, no less) may leave some readers conflicted, I am not. It's hard to deny how much better the Porsche diesel SUV is to drive than its BMW counterpart.

SECOND PLACE: 2013 BMW X5 xDrive 35d

With an all-new version arriving later this year for 2014, the current, third-generation X5 is at the end of a long and successful run, and against the newer Cayenne Diesel, the X5 xDrive 35d definitely shows its age. Like the Porsche, the BMW’s $64,300 MSRP is just an appetizer. Additionally, our tester had $10,615 worth of navigation, upgraded audio system, head-up display, rear heated seats, four-zone climate control, a huge sunroof and more. With a $2,095 freight and PDI, our X5 xDrive 35d rang in at $77,010. As we mentioned, the Porsche outguns the BMW diesel powertrain. Despite sporting more horsepower and torque, the X5’s twin-turbocharged diesel and six-speed automatic transmission has to carry more weight. As such, both the BMW and Porsche SUVs post the same zero-to-100-km/h acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. As well, not only is the BMW’s diesel noisier than the Porsche mill, but relatively more road and wind noise sneak into its cabin. If the X5 xDrive 35d drove like the Ultimate Driving Machine BMW promises, we would forgive the occasional clatter from its engine, but compared to the Porsche, the BMW’s steering was extra-heavy in parking manoeuvres. In corners, the X5 felt like it was wearing a fat suit, and its ride wasn’t as absorbent as the smoother Cayenne. If you’re one of those buyers where driving dynamics is not a priority, the diesel engine BMW does have some merits. Unlike the Cayenne, the X5’s cabin feels less like a sports car. Its large areas of glass offer better outward visibility than the Porsche. If you need to carry five passengers on a regular basis, X5’s back seat is roomier and less claustrophobic than the Cayenne. And if you need even more seats, you can option a third-row in the BMW to make it a seven-seater; a feature not available in the Porsche.

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