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Porsche Cayenne vs. Acura MDX vs. BMW X5

57 messages,  Last post on Apr 12, 2012 at 9:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Porsche Cayenne, Acura MDX, BMW X5, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 6

#1 of 57 Porsche Cayenne vs. Acura MDX vs. BMW X5 by x5killer

Apr 12, 2009 (1:30 am)

I know its maybe a little off of a comparison as some might say the MDX isn't quite as luxury of a vehicle but its not a Honda it is Acura a luxury brand and they are about the same size.
 
I guess the Porsche is considerably more expensive and with the same or less features of the MDX making it not worth it other then if you really like the looks better.
 
This would be for an 09 in both with the 2010 coming soon on both so great deals on the 09.
 
I do like the looks of the Cayenne, probably a little bit better then the MDX but as you can tell by my previous comments I'm already pre disposed to the MDX just knowing its the better value for the money with Acura having probably the best technology in the industry (as far as nav and other interior tech)
 
its just the MDX doesnt' excite me that much while the Cayenne kind of does so i wanted to get a break down of the differences and see maybe the Cayenne isn't so much more cost wise as I think and maybe is closer overall to the MDX then i realize?
 
what about the reliability etc. of the Cayenne, I know the MDX is recommended and ranked in the top 5 or so every year in consumer reports. i know the 09 is but i'd have to check what consumer reports says about the 09 Cayenne.
 
if anyone has an issue or knows what CR says about the Cayenne I'd be interested in that for starters and then the basic break down of differences between these 2.
 
open to other mid size suvs that compete with these 2 but I think there really isn't anything that great or that compares.
 
maybe the X5 and i see there is a Cayenne vs. X5 thread but i kind of already ruled the X5 out though not completely I guess.
 
the MDX is def a tad bigger then the X5 but i'm thinkin the Cayenne compares in size to the MDX and most importantly cargo space?
 
I'm coming for an 06 Subaru B9 Tribeca so some may say that all 3 of these (mdx, x5, cayenne) are much more luxury but the tribeca is pretty luxury and the main thing is the Alfa Romeo esque styling of the 06 and 07 (was designed by a guy who designed for Alfa Romeo) before Subaru changed the Tribeca design and in 08 to a more conservative run of the mill suv look. and even took the B9 out of the name
 
I'm thinking this will make the rare 06 and 07 in some demand but i'm probably just going to trade it in to the dealer to save tax on the purchase of new vehicle then trying to search out ppl looking for 06 and 07 tribecas
 
mine does look hot with 22" black wheels and tintened windows and some other accessories but yeah I know the MDX for one thing has some additional features not in the tribeca though i have nav and dvd ent. so looking to get teh same in any new vehicle.
 
so nav and dvd ent. would be one thing to consider in the new vehicle.
 
i know MDX probably has the best nav of the 3 (if i'm now including the X5. yeah mine as well and i added it to the title)
 
what about DVD ent. which of the 3 has the best for that?
 
i know the new Lexus RX puts a screen in each of the 2 headrests and i think there is a GM model (possibly Acadia) that did the same. its usually an aftermarket thing but thats cool that some are doing it factory option now. That option isn't enough to go for the RX though i dont think as i'm not crazy about the styling of the new 2010 RX and its general size and especially cargo area is def smaller then the MDX and probably the Cayenne i'm pretty sure. closer to the X5 probably but X5 could even be a tad bigger then then the RX? though the new 2010 RX does have a longer wheel base so maybe it now has a bit more cargo room but its def on the smaller side of the mid size suv category.
 
actually i just realized that the Cayenne for whatever reason isn't in Consumer Reports. least it used to not be so may still not be. I really wouldnt' get any vehicle that doesnt at least get the check mark in CR for recommended. many vehicles get recommended and then its just a mater of how high their overall rating is. like the tribeca was recommended but it was in the top5 overall rating for mid size suvs where as the 2009 MDX is
 
styling wise I definately like the Cayenne the most i think adn then MDX and X5 are probably tie with a bit of an endge towards the X5.
 
but while its nice for the vehicle to excite you and styling to be key but in the end the reliability and the features and how well they work like the NAV etc. is most important.
 
if the Cayenne was the same price as the MDX and had exact same rating and just as good of a NAV and other features then it would a new brainer as i like the styling better but in this case i think the price diff and value on the MDX plus better nav etc. so basically a better vehicle and for less is not worth going with the Cayenne just cus i like the styling better.
 
coming from the 06 Tribeca it has the headlights on the roof line the way the Cayenne does and similiar front hood slope though the tribecas is a little low to the ground in the front which i never loved. I do love the Cayennew front end how it slopes down like a sports car like the tribeca but still is high enough off the ground unlike the tribeca which again i always felt was a little low in the very front.
 
the tail end of the Cayenne is ok, it just looks a little plain and the tail lights are a little bleh but its still pretty good and the side and front view make it one of my favs for looks in mid size suv plus just the make of Porsche is still pretty neat for an suv though not a new thing anymore.
 
i think service and parts wise the Acura beign Honda is going to be way more practical and cheaper then german Cayenne or X5
 
coming from the Tribeca with the industry leading symmetrical AWD, only Audis quattro awd is as good or better and its prob similiar in the porsche? being VW Audi and Porsche are kind of the same? X5 i guess has good awd and MDX's sh awd while more for handlign i'm sure is good in rain and snow in the mdx since its an suv.
 
but still for keeping awd as good or better then the Tribeca, that edge probably goes to the Cayenne? at least if it is closely the same as audis quattro awd. funny thing though about the tribeca being it has also the low sittin and evenly waited on both sides boxer engine, it has been said that its more like a porsche suv then the Cayenne which doesn't have that evenly waited boxer engine.
 
all my research always comes back to the MDX witht he best tech (nav , bluetooth etc.) best bang for the buck with features (automatica tailgate included in the tech package etc.) and highest rated of these 3 plus most reliable etc.
plus its probably slighlty the biggest of these 3 with the Cayenne a close second? and then X5 as far as overall size but especially cargo area space.
 
but again i just acn't get that exited by the MDX styling. while it is an improvement over the last one which was bsed on a honda minivan, its still not that great and the 2010 refresh its getting isn't changing much other then the grille to that of t

#2 of 57 Re: Porsche Cayenne vs. Acura MDX vs. BMW X5 [x5killer] by jocko1

Apr 12, 2009 (5:34 am)

Replying to: x5killer (Apr 12, 2009 1:30 am)
I just went through this exact choice and went with the Cayenne. I drove all three . . . was just about to go with the MDX . . . but at the last minute decided it was too ugly. Also, got a great deal on the Cayenne.

#3 of 57 Re: Porsche Cayenne vs. Acura MDX vs. BMW X5 [jocko1] by jyao888

Apr 12, 2009 (7:02 am)

Replying to: jocko1 (Apr 12, 2009 5:34 am)
Hi, I almost 95% decide to go w/ MDX but still always mention to my wife I like the Cayenne style the most. Can I know what the great deal like you have? Is it really exciting good to chage your mind in the last minites?

#4 of 57 MDX wins by x5killer

May 06, 2009 (1:28 am)

yeah the Cayenne styling was my favorite and most exciting and passionate about. I wouldn't say the MDX is ugly but its definately not that exciting.
 
I went with the MDX for the best rated of the 3 and most reliable plus best price. i talked with a few porsche dealers and there didn't seem to be any deals really to be had nnot that i searched much but still the few inquired with just acted like ppl that want a porsche dont get a deal so that was it.
 
bottom line was once i added stuff it got to a ridiculour price not worth it and no matter what was going to be getting way way more features and car for less money with the mdx over the cayenne and even the x5.
 
MDX is more practical for a famly car while my daughter s young. maybe when she is older I can get a Cayenne more for myself but right now its really not worth it. almost everything about the MDX is rated better and for less money.
 
passion and excitement for the styling is one thing but it only goes so far when it loses to the MDX in every other way plus the mdx is cheaper making the cayenne a totally impractical pick just for looks and name but lacking everything else plus the highest price.
 
thats like the Range Rover. its one of the worst least reliable suv with tons of problems and terrible rated yet most expensive. all it has its looks, everything else fails including the price. the cayenne is probably not as bad but similiar category.

#5 of 57 hook up the MDX by x5killer

May 06, 2009 (1:30 am)

plus once you accessorize the MDX and tint the front windows and put some nice aftermarket larger upgraded tires and wheels on it, it looks pretty damn good nad it has a much tougher look especialy front end then both the X5 and cayenne though i like the cayenne front end as its while its sloped down like a spports car it still has an high aggressive front end with big air intakes but still driving an mdx next to a cayenne the mdx still sits abit above it and face to face has a higher stronger front end so that is kind of a plus. the x5 is the worst front end i think now which i have grown to really not like with its wimpy german bwm trademark grill like that of a 3 series just looks too small wimpy for an suv.

#6 of 57 Re: hook up the MDX [x5killer] by hby123

May 06, 2009 (9:32 pm)

Replying to: x5killer (May 06, 2009 1:30 am)
not meant to start a debate because looks is so subjective.... I also spent a lot of time deciding among MDX X5 and Cayenne before going for the Cayenne in the last minute. the front end of MDX was one of the reasons I didn't get the MDX. wife said it reminded her the megatron in the movie transformer. there is nothing wrong with it but it was not for us. Personally I felt Cayenne drives the best among the three, X5 slightly better looking, and MDX the most practical. X5 seems to suffer more quality issues than the other two according to online user reviews. this could be selection bias but i was not willing to trying it out myself. all good SUVs enjoy

#7 of 57 Re: hook up the MDX [x5killer] by bdmccullen

May 13, 2009 (6:09 am)

Replying to: x5killer (May 06, 2009 1:30 am)
My first reaction to the comparison of an MDX to a Cayenne was surprise because when I think of an MDX I think soccer mom car. To test my theory, I looked for MDXs yesterday (they are everywhere in the suburbs) and saw 6... all driven by women.
 
So, if you want a nice soccer mom car buy an MDX... maybe you can find a nice Teal one. If you want something different and fun to drive buy a Cayenne (preferably an S) and throw it in Sport mode.

#8 of 57 Audi Q7 vs. BMW X5 vs. Acura MDX by trabd123

May 13, 2009 (10:15 am)

I looked and test drove the three cars but can't decide on which one I should buy. MDX is the cheapest but wasn't happy about the interior quality and the front end look. BMW x5 is the most expensive and I had leased one six years ago and it was great. Audi Q7 is not bad looking but not sure about the maintenance and repair issues.
 
What would you recommend and why?
 
Thanks.

#9 of 57 Re: Audi Q7 vs. BMW X5 vs. Acura MDX [trabd123] by bdmccullen

May 13, 2009 (6:23 pm)

Replying to: trabd123 (May 13, 2009 10:15 am)
Surprised to see you list the Q7 as I think that is a much bigger vehicle... a true 8 passenger crossover. I'd recommend the Audi Q5 over the X5 or MDX. The Q5 is very nicely appointed and handles very nicely. Its exterior styling blows the MDX away and compared favorably with the X5 and Cayenne. I think I'd favor it over the base Cayenne but I also think you can get some great deals on an S and I would splurge for that if possible.

#10 of 57 Re: Audi Q7 vs. BMW X5 vs. Acura MDX [bdmccullen] by trabd123

May 14, 2009 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: bdmccullen (May 13, 2009 6:23 pm)
Q5 is kind of small for me and I believe it was specifically introduced to compete with BMW x3, RDX and the new small crossover MB. I love the Cayenne S but I'm trying to stay away from to 60k price tag.
 
I also heard from the Audi dealer that Porsche is using the Audi Q7 engine for their Cayenne cars.

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