Tesla Model X vs Porsche Cayenne
The Tesla Model X is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 105 mpg combined versus 24 mpg for the Porsche Cayenne, a 81 mpg advantage and costs about $2,600 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Tesla Model X leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2016–2026
Tesla Model X
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 41 configurations
2015–2026
Porsche Cayenne
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 97 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Tesla Model X | Porsche Cayenne |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 105 mpg ✓ | 24 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 110 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 101 mpg ✓ | 29 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $700 ✓ | $3,300 |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | 174 g/mi |
| Engines offered | Not available | SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 4.0, 3.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Premium Gas or Electricity |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2016–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 41 | 97 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Model X vs Cayenne: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Tesla Model X or the Porsche Cayenne?
The Tesla Model X is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 105 mpg combined versus 24 mpg for the Porsche Cayenne, a 81 mpg advantage and costs about $2,600 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Tesla Model X runs about $700 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,300 for the Porsche Cayenne — a difference of roughly $2,600 per year.
What engines do the Model X and Cayenne offer?
Tesla Model X: no engine data on record. Porsche Cayenne: SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 4.0, 3.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Tesla Model X and the Porsche Cayenne as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: tesla-model-x-vs-porsche-cayenne