Porsche Cayenne 2026 review: Electric – Australian first drive | Polestar 3 rival tested

Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?

7 / 10

Starting with the basics, there are two different variants of the new Cayenne - the SUV and Coupe - and three trim grades to choose from - the entry-level model (known only as ‘Cayenne’), the sportier S and the flagship Turbo.

A major factor in the sales decline of the Macan is undoubtedly the rising cost of the car, which leapt up as much as $30,000 on some variants. So Porsche has been more careful with how it has positioned the Cayenne.

The new electric Cayenne is still a more expensive proposition, with the standard Cayenne SUV starting at $167,700 ($173,500 for the Coupe), which is over $20,000 more expensive than the equivalent petrol-powered model. It should be noted that that doesn’t factor in the increased performance and level of standard equipment, which includes air-suspension across the entire electric range.

Moving up the range, at $193,000 (Coupe - $194,500) the Cayenne S Electric is only just over $8000 more than its petrol alternative but the $259,800 (Coupe - $272,000) Turbo is actually more than $40,000 cheaper than the Turbo E-Hybrid. So it is not as simple as saying the electric Cayenne costs more across the board.

However, this isn’t the only one of the key differences between Porsche’s Macan and Cayenne strategy. The Cayenne petrol and hybrid models are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Rather than being completely replaced by the electric version, Porsche has learned its lesson and is giving customers more choice. 

Officially Porsche hasn’t confirmed a new-generation of Cayenne petrol/hybrids, but all signs point to a new version coming in the next few years to carry on internal combustion power deep into the 2030s.

Porsche Australia also knows that the competitiveness of our very crowded market means extra equipment is a good idea. So all Australia-bound Cayenne Electrics come relatively well equipped, and more so than most overseas markets. For example, all local examples are fitted with air suspension as standard.

For the Cayenne, standard equipment includes:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Matrix LED headlights
• Illuminated ‘Porsche’ lettering on the bootlid
• Panoramic glass roof
• Dual-zone climate control
• Eight-way adjustable sports seat
• 10-speaker sound system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 

For the extra money - aside from extra performance we’ll detail later - the Cayenne S adds: 

• 21-inch alloys,
• Four-zone climate control
• Bose surround sound audio system with 14 speakers

The Cayenne Turbo adds even more performance as well as:

• 22-inch alloys
• Unique lower front bumper
• Porsche Active Aero Dynamics with active Aeroblades
• HD-Matrick LED headlights
• Variable light control for the panoramic roof

Adaptive sports seats with 18-way adjustment

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Design – Is there anything interesting about its design?

7 / 10

For all the positives of continuing to offer the previous generation Cayenne alongside the new one, it does come with some downsides too. The most obvious is unmissable design differences between the older generation and this newer one.

This new electric version has the same basic silhouette of the previous Cayenne, but the details give it a distinctive look. Being electric it needs to cut through the air as efficiently as possible, so this new model is longer and lower than the internal combustion versions.

The details of the design also give it a sharper, more modern look too. Not that the previous Cayenne suddenly looks old and outdated, but if you stick with petrol power you will be sacrificing the latest styling.

Another surprising design element with this new model is an optional off-road package, which includes a unique front bumper for greater off-road clearance and approach angle. It’s unlikely that too many Cayenne Electric owners will head deep into the bush, but for those who want to, the unique bumper will help them go further. 

However, it does create a rather unusual look, as it has quite a pronounced undercut, or what I referred to as an ‘overbite’ that definitely doesn’t look as well-proportioned as the standard bodykit.

Inside, for all the hype around Porsche performance, one of the brand’s standout features has always been interior design. 

This new Cayenne looks really interesting inside, with curved screens for the digital instrument display and the multimedia system, as well as the option to add a third screen in-front of the passenger. 

The overall level of fit and finish, the detail and quality of the materials is exactly what you’d expect from a premium brand and an SUV at this price point.

Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside?

8 / 10

As for the space and practicality, once again Porsche showcases that it’s not a one-trick pony brand. As fast as the Cayenne Electric is - and is very fast - the designers have also ensured it is a genuinely spacious vehicle for a family.

The second row space is good, enough to take two adults in comfort and easily accommodate three kids.

The SUV is obviously the more practical of the pair, with the Coupe losing some rear headroom.

As for the boot, space varies between 781L for the Cayenne SUV and 747L for the S and Turbo SUVs, while the Coupe looks sleeker but comes at the expense of cargo capacity, dropping to 534L for the Coupe and Coupe S and just 500L for the Coupe Turbo. 

The technology integration is well-considered too. One highlight is the new curved central multimedia screen, which has a palm rest that extends out from the centre fascia to make it more ergonomic to use the screen. 

The intuitive menu, as well as the physical controls for the volume and climate control, plus the ability to integrate the smartphone apps, means the key non-driving functions are incredibly easy-to-use, even on the move. 

Integrated into that palm rest is a large centre console space between the front seats, which has both wireless smartphone charging as well as four USB-C ports and two cupholders. It means there is plenty of small item storage space to go with all the room for people.

Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission?

9 / 10

As mentioned earlier, there are three initial Cayenne Electric variants and each offer a different powertrain option. All are dual-motor, all-wheel drive but the power levels vary greatly depending on what you spend.

The standard Cayenne Electric comes with 300kW (325kW on Overboost), which is enough for this five-seat, family friendly SUV to launch 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, which is genuinely impressive.

However, stepping up to the Cayenne S raises the power level to 400kW (490kW on Overboost) and drops the 0-100km/h time to 3.8 seconds.

Finally there’s the Cayenne Turbo, with up to 850kW of power and a claimed 0-100km/h capability of just 2.5 seconds. Which is borderline crazy for such a big SUV. 

It is worth explaining that the 850kW claim for the Cayenne Turbo is only available for short bursts of performance when you activate Overboost, and the ‘standard’ output for the two electric motors is 630kW, which may sound like a lot less but is actually more than enough to make the Cayenne Turbo feel fast anytime you need more performance.

Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range?

9 / 10

The Cayenne is Porsche’s third electric model, after the Taycan and Macan, and it shows. The brand has taken battery production in-house for the Cayenne, producing the 106kWh unit at its own factory in Eastern Europe.

Range is rated at 542km for the Cayenne, 571km for the Cayenne S and 537km for the Cayenne Turbo.

Thermal efficiency is the key selling point for Porsche, as it unlocks not only the peak performance but also the repeatability that allows the Cayenne to launch so quickly over and over again. It’s notable, that unlike most other EVs that get slower the more time you extract peak performance out of them, Porsche was happy for us to undertake multiple acceleration runs in the same vehicle.

But that’s not the only trick Porsche has up its sleeve. It will be introducing inductive charging with the Cayenne. This means you’ll be able to buy a charging pad you can place on the floor in your garage, and simply drive it, park on top of it and the Cayenne will charge wirelessly.

This has the potential to be a game-changer for EV buyers as it removes the need to plug in to replenish the batteries, making life even easier for owners. It’s not available in Australia at the time of publication, but the company says it will be available from the fourth quarter and all Australian-delivered models, even those sold now, will be able to be retrofitted to take advantage of the technology.

Driving – What's it like to drive?

9 / 10

Porsche Australia invited us to drive the new Cayenne Electric in Port Lincoln, South Australia. While a picturesque part of the country, it seemed like an unlikely venue to test drive a new Porsche, as it’s typically Ford Ranger/Toyota HiLux country.

But one of the reasons Porsche launched the Cayenne Electric in regional South Australia was because they had managed to find a small airstrip we could use to fully explore the acceleration potential. 

Even some operator error, which meant my launch was using ‘just’ the 630kW, the acceleration was sickeningly fast and had me hitting more than 170km/h in just 200m. With the full 850kW unleashed the Cayenne is actually faster 0-100km/h than Porsche’s hero sports car, the iconic 911 Turbo S. 

That alone is a remarkable achievement, but Porsche had a few more reasons for taking us to Port Lincoln. After a drive on some sealed roads, which demonstrated the SUV's on-road composure, we found ourselves heading off-road… more off-road than I thought possible (or at least sensible) in a Porsche.

After surviving some of the gnarliest rocky roads, we found ourselves in some stunning sand dunes. We were driving the Cayenne S with the optional off-road package but the only other modification was to let down the tyres.

Carving through sand dunes like you’re in the Dakar Rally is likely to be a rare job for the Cayenne Electric, but the fact it is capable is immensely impressive and helps to demonstrate the breadth of capability that this electric SUV has.

But Porsche wasn’t finished showing off just how multi-talented the Cayenne is. 

They had a Cayenne Turbo attached to a trailer, carrying the previously beaten 911 Turbo S, to prove that it can live up to its claimed 3500kg towing capacity.

Towing a nearly $600k sports car with a $260k SUV is an expensive way to demonstrate the point, but the Cayenne didn’t miss a beat. Certainly the battery was dropping more rapidly than it was unladen, but the electric Cayenne underlined that it can do everything the petrol versions can manage (at least over a short distance).

Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating?

8 / 10

As for safety, the Cayenne Electric is as well equipped as you should expect a car at this price to be. There are all the features that have become the norm, including speed limit warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, etc.

But it’s not the fact that it has all the safety features that’s impressive, it’s the level of calibration. Yes, the speed limit warning will go off if you speed, but generally the other safety systems were very well-behaved and understated during our drive.

However, the only caveat with that is our drive was almost entirely in regional areas, so we should reserve final and definitive judgement until we get it into the urban environment. 

As for its safety rating, the Cayenne was crash tested by Euro NCAP in December 2025 and awarded a maximum five-star score. It is unlikely ANCAP will crash test such an expensive model here, so expect the same rating to carry over barring something unusual.

Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs?

6 / 10

The Cayenne Electric is covered by Porsche’s usual three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and the battery gets eight years of coverage.

Both of these are fairly standard by historical terms, but with so many luxury brands - including Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz - all now offering five years of coverage, it does leave Porsche lagging behind.

Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, which is standard for an internal combustion engine vehicle.

Porsche doesn’t offer capped-price servicing, so prices may vary from dealer to dealer. However, the brand does sell a special EV-focused ‘Porsche Scheduled Maintenance Plan’ that costs $1995 for three years, $3695 for four years and $3995 for five years of servicing. 

Verdict