It has been a month or so since the Cayenne TT replaced the X5 at our house.

My thoughts -

INTERIOR - The Cayenne is a lot "busier" inside - more buttons etc but this does not make it better. If anything the logical (ergonomic) layout of the BMW switchgear is better. It is less distracting and more intuitive. Sat Nav on Cayenne is faster but a lot more cumbersome to use. Stereo in Cayenne is a lot better. Telephone module is not as good as X5. Steering wheel controls on Cayenne are basic compared to the X5 - only phone and stereo on the wheel - the cruise control is a stalk on the indicator side which is ridiculous IMO.

Boot space is larger in the Cayenne but it is a bigger car overall.

I have noticed that I have not been able to get the seating position as comfortable in the Cayenne but the visibility of the guages is better - I always had trouble reading the top of the dials in my preferred driving position. The leather in the Cayenne is marginally better than the X5.

EXTERIOR - My wife likes the Cayenne, my mother likes the BMW better. Personally I think their different! The tailgate operation of the Cayenne is a JOKE. It's not split like the X5 so not only do you not have anywhere to sit, but with the tailgate open, you keep knocking your head into it!!

DRIVING - Handling: Jiggles more around the city but less head toss than X5 (sport). At high speed Porsche feels stronger (and heavier). It is slightly lower than X5 and the air suspension eliminates "Suspension rebound/rocking".

- Brakes: Don't feel as powerful in normal use but they do work well. The hill hold facility is great.

- Transmission: The 6 speed is great and the manual changes are almost instant. However it starts off in second gear (except when engine is cold). I am assuming this is to make it smoother off the mark as normal starts in 1st and changing into 2nd are fast and violent and not really suitable for daily commuting.

- NVH: A lot quieter car than the X5. Less road and wind noise and very lttle engine noise (induction noise is almost non-existant) but there is a little Turbo whine. BTW i went out ina friends Standard Cayenne (V8 non-turbo) and there is a lot more engine noise but it is all from the exhaust. The X5 sounds so much better. Cayenne has very little vibration and is very "Luxury Saloon" like in day to day driving.

- Engine: Pulls like a train!! Amazing mid gear acceleration and pull and has no objection to spinning past the red-line. I have had 3 country runs in it (600km's each) and it is amazing on the open road. Hit 237km/h and it was strong and had plenty left in it. Fuel economy is a little worse in the country but is better in the city than the X5.

OVERALL: The X5 is an easier car to live with Day to Day. A lot better balanced car for all situations, a more practical layout and "Dollar for Dollar" a lot more for your money. However the brute power of the Cayenne is addictive and fun, but you DO pay for it.

That's my brief summary and hope that you find it of interest.

ft