Compare the2025 Porsche CayenneVS 2025 Volvo V90 Cross Country

The Porsche Cayenne has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the V90 Cross Country have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

The Porsche Cayenne weighs 401 to 1387 pounds more than the Volvo V90 Cross Country. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Cayenne’s reliability 16 points higher than the V90 Cross Country.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The V90 Cross Country isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 70 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

The Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 53 more horsepower (348 vs. 295) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 310) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 168 more horsepower (463 vs. 295) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 310) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 173 more horsepower (468 vs. 295) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 310) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 198 more horsepower (493 vs. 295) and 176 lbs.-ft. more torque (486 vs. 310) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 434 more horsepower (729 vs. 295) and 390 lbs.-ft. more torque (700 vs. 310) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the Volvo V90 Cross Country:

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running on electricity gets better mileage than the V90 Cross Country:

The Cayenne can travel with zero emissions for 24 to 29 miles (dependent on model). The V90 Cross Country can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 Cross Country (18.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 7.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 Cross Country (23.7 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The Cayenne’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s brake rotors are larger than those on the V90 Cross Country:

The Cayenne offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the V90 Cross Country:

For better traction, the Cayenne has larger standard tires than the V90 Cross Country (F:255/55R20 & R:295/45R20 vs. 235/50R19). The Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V90 Cross Country (F:285/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The Cayenne’s standard 295/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the V90 Cross Country’s standard 50 series tires. The Cayenne’s optional 315/35R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the V90 Cross Country’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the V90 Cross Country. The Cayenne’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the V90 Cross Country.

The Cayenne offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Cayenne uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V90 Cross Country, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Cayenne offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the V90 Cross Country.

The Cayenne has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Cayenne handles at 1.02 G’s, while the V90 Cross Country Plus pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne GTS executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the V90 Cross Country Plus (23.3 seconds @ .87 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne E-Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the V90 Cross Country (8.2 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the V90 Cross Country (9.5 vs. 7.9 inches).

The front grille of the Cayenne uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cayenne has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.4 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the V90 Cross Country.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cayenne’s rear seats recline. The V90 Cross Country’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume than the V90 Cross Country with its rear seat up (27.3 vs. 25.2 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the V90 Cross Country’s (7716 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the Cayenne is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V90 Cross Country. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 52% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

The Cayenne’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Cayenne’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The V90 Cross Country has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Cayenne to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the V90 Cross Country.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Cayenne has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the V90 Cross Country.

The Cayenne is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the V90 Cross Country, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Cayenne offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the V90 Cross Country.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Cayenne equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The V90 Cross Country, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Porsche Cayenne empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The Cayenne’s Active Parking Assistance can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The V90 Cross Country’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The Cayenne will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cayenne will retain 51.28% to 57.99% of its original price after five years, while the V90 Cross Country only retains 44.84% to 45.27%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Cayenne, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Volvo 90 Series by almost 12 to one during 2024.