Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs Porsche Cayenne

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class starts from $214,900 before on-road costs, while the Porsche Cayenne opens at $138,800. That makes the Porsche Cayenne the more affordable entry point by $76,100.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $236,390 and $152,680 respectively.

Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz G-Class by roughly $2,420 in fuel alone.

ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Porsche Cayenne gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.6-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, Burmester audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Porsche Cayenne. The Porsche Cayenne counters with Apple CarPlay, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and BOSE audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz G-Class gets nappa leather upholstery while the Porsche Cayenne offers leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and 2-zone in the Porsche Cayenne.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class uses a Diesel producing 270kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds.

The Porsche Cayenne responds with a Petrol making 260kW and 500Nm, paired to a 8-speed auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 260kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class measures 4,825mm long on a 2,890mm wheelbase, 105mm shorter than the Porsche Cayenne at 4,930mm (2,895mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Porsche Cayenne generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 688L in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and 698L in the Porsche Cayenne, giving the Porsche Cayenne a 10L advantage.

For towing, the Porsche Cayenne leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,480/year for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and $2,964/year for the Porsche Cayenne. That is a $484 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Estimated annual total: $2,480 (Mercedes-Benz G-Class) vs $2,964 (Porsche Cayenne). The Mercedes-Benz G-Class saves you roughly $484 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.

Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz G-Class) vs 3 years / 999,999km (Porsche Cayenne). The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has longer coverage.