Porsche Cayenne Reviews

The Porsche Cayenne S Electric is the middle member of the initial three-tier line-up that has launched in Australia in 2026.Priced from $193,000 for the SUV and $194,500 for the Coupe, the Cayenne S Electric is only just over $8000 more than its petrol alternative. For that money you get:21-inch alloy wheelsMatrix LED headlightsIlluminated ‘Porsche’ lettering on the bootlidPanoramic glass roofFour-zone climate controlEight-way adjustable sports seatsBose surround sound audio system with 14 speakersThis new electric version has the same basic silhouette of the previous Cayenne, but the details give it a distinctive look, 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. The same is true of the interior, with a modern design that keeps the Cayenne Electric contemporary, but also practical and loaded with all the technology modern buyers expect.The Cayenne S has a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain that makes 400kW (490kW on Overboost) and 1080Nm and has a 0-100km/h time of a very rapid 3.8 seconds.Range for the Cayenne S is rated at 571km, thanks to its 106kWh battery, which is the most of the range.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, with very good integration.

The all-new Porsche Cayenne Electric range begins with this ‘entry-level’ model priced from $167,700 before on-road costs for the SUV body style and $173,500 for the Coupe. While that is a price premium over the existing petrol and hybrid models, it does come well specified.Standard equipment includes:20-inch alloy wheelsMatrix LED headlightsIlluminated ‘Porsche’ lettering on the bootlidPanoramic glass roofDual-zone climate controlEight-way adjustable sports seat10-speaker sound systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoThis new electric version has the same basic silhouette of the previous Cayenne, but the details give it a distinctive look, 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. Inside, for all the hype around Porsche performance, one of the brand’s standout features, at least in my opinion, 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.The Cayenne Electric is powered by a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain that makes up to 325kW of power and 835Nm of torque. That’s enough for it to launch 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The Cayenne is powered by a Porsche-built 106kWh battery that provides 542km of range.In terms of safety, the Cayenne Electric is equipped with all the features that have become expected, including speed limit warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and full airbag protection.

If at first you don't succeed... Porsche is trying again with turning a popular SUV electric. But after the disappointment of the Macan, will the brand have better luck with its bigger Cayenne. We test drive the new Porsche Cayenne Electric on-road, off-road, through sand dunes and even down an airstrip to put it to the ultimate test.

You really do get what you pay for with the all-new Porsche Cayenne Electric and the more cash you splash the better the large battery-powered SUV gets.Locked in for a quarter three Australian landing, the fourth-generation all-new Cayenne is a natural rival for the Lotus Eletre and the hybrid BMW XM, as well as traditional fast SUVs that include the Range Rover Sport SV and BMW X5 M.Available in three different flavours, even the entry Cayenne Electric ($167,800 plus on-road costs) comes with dual motors that provide all-wheel drive and churn out 325kW of power. The middle-rung Cayenne S ($193,100 plus ORCs) ups that to 490kW, which is plenty for a brisk 0-100km/h of 3.8 seconds but if you can afford it we'd pay even more for the game-changing Turbo model that costs a substantial $259,900 plus on-roads.Delivering an astonishing 850kW and 1500Nm of torque, the Cayenne that shares its PPE platform with the smaller Macan, can rocket from 0-100km/h in just 2.5 seconds making it as quick as the German brand's latest flagship 911 Turbo S coupe and sees it on par with some so-called hypercars.No other SUV, not even the Lotus Eletre (2.95 seconds), comes close to matching the Cayenne Turbo's explosive performance off the line and, remarkably, the big Porsche SUV is no one-trick pony because it also raises the bar for thrills behind the wheel – but only if you tick a few boxes first.To unleash the full potential of the battery-electric SUV you'll need to option both the Active Ride ($17,480) and rear-wheel steering ($3570), although we could probably do without our car’s carbon-ceramic brakes and pocket the $19,520 saving.Frustratingly the Active Ride, that cancels body roll and reduces pitch and drive associated with hard acceleration and braking, isn't available on the base model which is a shame as it transforms the Cayenne into a car that drives like a much smaller, lighter sports car.Highlights include, the accurate and precise steering and a decent ride considering the epic performance on top. The full 850kW power output is only ever available during either launch control or when you stab the 'push-to-pass' button on the rotary drive mode selector on the steering wheel, with 'only' 630kW available at other times, which is more than enough to see off most Ferraris.Back off the pace and the Porsche is surprisingly relaxing, while the ride in its comfiest mode is supple enough to provide a decent impression of something far more luxurious. Just tyre noise caused by the wider rubber intrudes.Off road, the same trick suspension blesses the Cayenne with far more off-road capability, providing better wheel articulation, while the height-adjustable air springs provide up to 245mm of ground clearance.For those who live in the country, Porsche will even offer an Offroad Package ($5230) that adds a revised front and rear bumper for a better approach and departure angle, plus arches and side skirts finished in a more durable black plastic.Towing is up to 3500kg, which is impressive for a fast SUV and on par with the combustion V8 twin-turbocharged Range Rover Sport SV.While some might miss the sound of a combustion engine and find the switch to an EV daunting, Porsche has tried to take the pain out of the ownership experience.Equipped with a large 113kWh battery (net) the base Electric can cover up to 642km, while even the Turbo can still drive up to 624km on the European WLTP test cycle.Run low on juice and a 10-80 per cent charge at up to 400kW takes just 16 minutes, although on a less powerful 400-volt charging post found in Australia that figure drops to around 26 minutes.Later on, post-launch Porsche will roll out its new inductive charging tech that can top up at up to 11kW at 90 per cent efficiency without any of the faff related to plugging in your car when you get home.Even though the Cayenne is just 55mm longer than the current combustion version, the new architecture beneath sees it come with a wheelbase that's almost 130mm longer for more legroom, while headroom in the front and rear is generous and the rear boot offers up to 781 litres of space and is boosted by a decent 90-litre frunk for cables.Upfront the Porsche SUV has one of the best cabins going, marrying plenty of proper physical controls with an intuitive large infotainment system, 14.5-inch digital instrument cluster and a new 14.9-inch passenger display.Other useful additions are a new 3D augmented reality head-up display. For fit and finish the Cayenne is among the very best in its class.Standard kit for Australian models includes 14-way electric heated and ventilated seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, a 360-degree camera, park assist, four-zone climate control and a Bose premium sound system.The S version adds 20-inch aero wheels, Matrix LED lamps and a heated steering wheel.Finally, the Turbo adds Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), the Turbo rear motor, larger 21-inch alloy wheels, HD matrix LED lamps, 18-way adaptive seats, a GT sports steering wheel and an uprated Bose surround sound system.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT has more power than a 911 GT3 and a top speed beyond 300km/h, but how well can it do car parks and school runs?

Even when it builds a family-friendly SUV, Porsche still pushes the performance boundary. The Cayenne Turbo GT Coupe is the German brand’s take on the same extreme SUV class as the Lamborghini Urus (the two even share mechanical DNA). 

The 2024 Porsche Cayenne has something for everyone - from the outrageously fast Turbo GT Coupe to this, more frugal, E-Hybrid.This pairs a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine with an electric motor for a combination of performance and efficiency. There’s a new electric motor and battery for 2024, with the motor now making 130kW/460Nm, a significant 30kW/60Nm improvement over the previous model, which contributes towards a combined system output of 346kW/650Nm The Cayenne E-Hybrid has a new and improved 25.9kWh battery which allows for a theoretical 86km of driving on electric power alone. It also helps contribute to a claimed fuel economy rating of just 1.9L/100km; although, like all plug-in hybrids, achieving that figure in the real world is challenging in our experience.Porsche has also added a new on-board AC charger that increases capacity from 7.2kW to 11kW, so with a high-voltage charger the battery can be replenished in just over two hours.The Cayenne E-Hybrid is priced from $154,600 and comes equipped with LED Matrix beam headlights as well as 14-way electronically adjustable front seats, a head-up display, partial leather interior (in black), a new 12.6-inch digital instrument display and a 150W, 10-speaker sound system.There’s a redesigned exterior and interior, which toughens up the looks on the outside and creates a more stylish and practical inside. The Cayenne is by far the most family-friendly Porsche you can buy, with enough room in the back for two adults or older teenagers to sit comfortably, or enough room for three younger children. Safety equipment for the E-Hybrid includes front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags, plus autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and a surround view parking system.Combine the hybrid powertrain and practical and spacious cabin with the strong safety credentials and style and it makes for one of the most sensible models the brand offers. Whether that’s still enough to sway buyers from making the leap to an all-electric alternative remains to be seen.

The 2024 Porsche Cayenne S is available in either an SUV or Coupe bodystyle, both powered by the same V8 engine.

Porsche has given its family-friendly Cayenne a mid-life makeover but the biggest change you can't see. Under the bonnet the German brand has ditched downsizing for upsizing, re-introducing the V8-powered Cayenne S.But don't worry, there's still the frugal E-Hybrid and potent Turbo GT to choose from, highlighting the broad role the Cayenne plays for Porsche.

Porsche recently celebrated 20 years of the Cayenne. It's the model that transformed the brand and continues to be its golden goose - alongside the smaller Macan SUV.But the electric age is calling so this third-generation mid-life update could be the final petrol-powered Cayenne. Has Porsche done enough to improve the big SUV this time around?