Blending upscale comfort with sports car DNA, this mid-size SUV delivers a driving experience few competitors can match. Its sculpted design and refined interior set the tone, while advanced technology and premium materials make every journey feel first-class.
Beneath the luxurious surface lies serious performance capability. Responsive handling, powerful engine options, and precision-tuned dynamics give it an athletic edge, whether navigating city streets or carving through winding roads. It’s proof that utility and excitement don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
For buyers seeking an SUV that can haul both passengers and serious speed, this model hits a rare sweet spot. It offers the practicality of a family hauler, the refinement of a luxury flagship, and the thrill of a performance machine, all in one sleek, versatile package.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.
The Porsche Cayenne Is the Ultimate Large Crossover For Enthusiasts
Porsche is a brand known for creating some of the most finely crafted sports cars to ever exist. When they started venturing into the realms of SUVs, it made people nervous. However, they proved that something big and practical didn’t have to skimp on the comfort and excitement found in Porsche’s other cars.
$88,800
$101,200
$106,100
$109,400
$129,900
$162,500
Turbo GT Coupe
$210,600
The Cayenne is definitely not the cheapest car in its segment, with every one of its core rivalscosting tens of thousands of dollars lessto start. While we know that you’re definitely paying a premium for the badge on the front of the Cayenne, we still think that it has a lot to offer. From a driving perspective, there is no other mid-size SUV that is more engaging than the Cayenne.
The Cayenne comes in two different body styles, with the regular SUV shape being offered alongside a coupe model. The coupe is generally slightly more expensive. Both the Coupe and the regular SUV can be had with either a gas-only orhybrid powertrain.
While the insane trims at the end of the ladder are certainly alluring, we think that the base Cayenne will satisfy most buyers. It comes extremely well-equipped, which definitely softens a little bit of the sting caused by its price tag. We would tack on the Premium package, though, which adds a ton of features, including adaptive cruise control, ambient interior lighting, an upgraded sound system, and a panoramic sunroof, among other things.
What’s New For 2026
While much of the Cayenne has stayed the same for the 2026 model year, Porsche has made some upgrades to interior features. While the 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the optional 10.9-inch passenger screen stay the same size this year, the hardware that runs them has been upgraded in order to improve response time.
The German brand has also integrated what they call the Porsche App Center, which allows you to download some third-party apps. Amazon Alexa has also been added to all models. Equip your Cayenne with the optional Bose or Burmester sound systems and you’ll notice that they now come with Dolby Atmos.
Warranty and Maintenance
Porsche’s after-sales coverage is pretty decent, albeit not mind-blowing. While the bumper-to-bumper coverage and powertrain coverage match what is on offer from the Cayenne’s core rivals, brands like BMW and Genesis offer up to three years of scheduled maintenance on the house.
The Porsche Cayenne Handles Like a Car Half Its Size
While speed is certainly something that the Cayenne chases, as do many other luxury brands at this price point, its most impressive characteristic is how well it handles. Despite weighing well over 5,000 pounds, Porsche’s mid-size SUV is as lithe and athletic as much smaller sports sedans.
348 HP
468 HP
493 HP
650 HP
368 LB-FT
442 LB-FT
486 LB-FT
626 LB-FT
0-60 MPH
4.2 Seconds
3.1 Seconds
You can spec your non-hybrid Cayenne with four different powertrains,all exceptionally reliable, starting with a turbocharged V-6 and going up to a raucous 650-horsepower twin-turbocharged V-8. Every model comes standard with one of the slickest and most impressive eight-speed automatics on the market as well as a pretty advanced all-wheel drive system.
While the zero to 60 times shown above may seem less than heroic, Porsche is known to be conservative with their figures. For example, the Turbo GT has been tested getting to 60 miles per hour in as little as 2.8 seconds.
While the GTS is definitely the most athletic model, coming with a uniquely tuned suspension, larger brakes, and lightweight components, every model handles brilliantly. Regardless of which trim you opt for, you get adaptive dampers, and most can be optioned with anti-roll bars, rear-wheel steering, and an adjustable air suspension to kick things up a notch.
463 HP
512 HP
729 HP
479 LB-FT
553 LB-FT
700 LB-FT
4.4 Seconds
3.5 Seconds
The plug-in hybrid E-Hybrid models use the same engines as you would find in the non-hybrid models, they just pair with a pretty powerful electric motor. Compared to the non-hybrid models, they are obviously much quicker off the line. They deliver similar levels of athleticism despite weighing around 500 pounds more than the standard models.
Every E-Hybrid comes with a 21.8-kWh battery pack, which delivers up to 22 miles of all-electric range on a full charge. These models also deliver noticeably improved fuel economy than the gas-only models, with the base non-hybrid Cayenne achieving 19 miles per gallon combined and every hybrid Cayenne being rated for 22 miles per gallon combined.
Inside the Cayenne, Porsche Offers a Finely Crafted Cabin Worthy of Its Badge
When you spend around six-figures on an SUV, you expect it to be luxurious. Porsche definitely delivers, with an interior built with the highest quality materials. They have also loaded the Cayenne withcutting-edge technology, pushing the boundaries of what your car can do for you.
Interior Dimensions and Comfort
Porsche doesn’t like to disclose the exact measurements of the interior of their vehicles, a practice that we think is quite silly. What we can tell you, though, is that whether you’re sat in the front or the back, you’re going to have plenty of space to stretch your legs. While some rivals, like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 come with three-rows of seats, the Cayenne focuses on pampering passengers in two. Opt for the coupe and rear headroom does go down a bit, as does cargo capacity.
The Cayenne offers sublime build quality, with the finest soft-touch materials used throughout the cabin. The German brand likes to give you plenty of options when building your car, meaning you can choose from a variety of colors and materials. You can choose your level of comfort, with options like 18-way power-adjustable seats, four-zone climate control, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats.
Infotainment and Technology
The Cayenne takes clear inspiration from the Taycan, with a dashboard that can essentially be completely digital. A 12.6-inch digital gauge display is standard, as is a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, with an optional third 10.9-inch screen being availabel that sits directly in front of your passenger. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Amazon Alexa.
Porsche now allows you to customize the information system with third-party apps, downloadable through the Porsche App Center, with you being able to add things like Spotify, Yelp, and more. A pretty impressive ten-speaker sound system is standard, but you may upgrade to more premium systems from Bose or Burmester for an additional fee, with both now coming with Dobly Atmos spacial audio capability.
