In terms of size, this is Porsche’s flagship model, the Cayenne. When it was first released in 2002, it essentially saved the firm, and the major update for the third generation in 2023 will keep it operating for a long time to come—even after the Macan underneath it becomes completely electric. When the Cayenne initially hit the market, it was practically the only SUV available; these days, even Aston Martin and Ferrari have SUVs.
However, the Cayenne has been incredibly successful. Porsche has sold more than 1.25 million of these vehicles since 2002, and in 2023, slightly more than one in every four vehicles sold by the company was a Cayenne. It is an occurrence.
Thus, Porsche hasn’t tampered too much with a winning formula…
Not at all: this is still a sizable family SUV with five seats that comes equipped with all-wheel drive. One can possess a V6, a V8, or many hybrid models. If rear visibility bothers you, there’s a standard SUV body shape as well as a little swoopier Cayenne Coupe.
Although Porsche hasn’t changed the principles, the 2023 Cayenne has undergone extensive updates within the interior, under the hood, and beneath the bodywork to keep it competitive with the redesigned Range Rover Sport, the enduring BMW X5, and a number of other performance SUV pioneers. until 2025, when a completely electric version on a brand-new platform will join it, but not completely replace it.
WHAT VARIANTS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE UK?
The £70,000 base model, simply referred to as the Cayenne, has a turbocharged V6 engine producing 348 horsepower. If you are willing to pay an additional £14,000, you may upgrade to the Cayenne S, which features a new V8 engine that produces 468 horsepower instead of the V6. It can reach 62 mph in only five seconds.
Based on past performance, it appears that the 464-bhp, £80,000 Cayenne E-Hybrid, with its mid-life makeover that increased all-electric range and sped up charging time to complement its V6 petrol engine, will be the most popular model in the UK. It is essentially the contemporary equivalent of the long-dead Cayenne Diesel.
That isn’t the sole hybrid. The same 130kW electric engine and a turbocharged V6 are combined in an £87k Cayenne S E-Hybrid to produce 512bhp total and a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds. Its standard adaptive air suspension is more noteworthy; this configuration makes sense for a large SUV.
The Turbo E-Hybrid is located much further north. While it costs £130,000, its turbo V8 and e-motor produce an incredible 729 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of power, which is sufficient to accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds. Porsche guarantees a fully electric range of about 50 miles if you fully charge the version you choose.
WHAT ABOUT THE TURBO GT WILD CAYENNE?
We regret to inform you that it is no longer available in Europe due to its outdated V8 engine, which is unable to comply with the most recent strict EU emissions rules. However, the fighters Urus and Bentayga are still in use in the USA and the Middle East.
The £20k GT option on the 729bhp hybrid retains the essence of the car, albeit not quite as much fun—but only if you choose the sportier Cayenne Coupe. The Cayenne’s tracks are widened, it drops 10 mm, and it even adds some negative camber to the front wheels to make it resemble a potential race car.
Additionally, rather than lopping off the seats as you do when stripping the same from a hot hatch, Porsche’s experts have managed to remove 100kg by skimming small amounts from the vehicle. Still, with all those battery cells, it weighs more than 2.5 tonnes.
WHICH VERDICT IS IT?
The most recent iteration of the CaThe most recent iteration of the Cayenne nearly seems refined and understated. ed to be spotted wearing it.
Although the Cayenne has always been a great car, its appeal has increased significantly, particularly in light of the fact that all the other sporty SUVs that have entered the market since it has relied on progressively garish style. The latest version of the Cayenne almost looks restrained and elegant. It wouldn’t make you feel self-conscious to be noticed, unlike a lumpen Audi Q8 or a gopping BMW X6.
It remains the best in its class to drive below. The perceived quality is great, the interior has stayed on the correct side of minimalism, and it is exceptionally competent off-road. The Cayenne is a really complete car—it’s strong, useful, and quite intelligent. Porsche as a company is defined by the 911, but the Cayenne is the backbone of the whole enterprise.
