Set in the idyllic hills of Austria, Ian McLaren got behind the wheel of Porsche’s highly revised Cayenne range to determine if the latest iteration of the German firm’s third-generation SUV could survive a few more years in the market.
What are we driving?
Ahead of an all-new, all-electric Cayenne arriving in around two years’ time, one of the most comprehensive model updates in Porsche’s history aims to keep the existing (third generation) car both relevant in terms of its competition while also setting this vehicle up to be sold alongside its EV sibling for at least four more years.
Set to arrive in South Africa in the coming months, this update extends to both the popular-in-our-market Cayenne Coupé body style, as well as the range-topping Turbo GT. Interestingly, for the time being, the GTS derivate has been dropped from the line-up. This model’s V8 bi-turbopetrol drivetrain has instead been transferred into the refreshed Cayenne S package.
Related: 2023 Porsche Cayenne pricing and specs
Going forward, the local range will consist of the base Cayenne SUV and Coupé, the Cayenne S and Cayenne E-Hybrid in both body styles, and the Turbo GT.
Why is the updated Porsche Cayenne significant?
Introduced in 2002, the German SUV quickly established itself as Porsche’s best-selling model. Indeed, many attribute the leap of faith shown by this German brand to broaden its market appeal as the reason that cars like the modern 911 still exist. To date, Porsche has shipped more than 1,25 million examples globally, with the 95 000 units sold in 2022 alone accounting for 30% of the brand’s total sales for the year.
As is the plan with the compact Macan SUV package, Porsche will sell an all-electric model – built on an all-new platform – alongside the established internal-combustion range for a set period. It’s a nice luxury to have in terms of allowing its customer time to choose/adapt.
Related: All Electric Porsche Cayenne slated for 2026
Around 40% of this model’s sales are currently focused on the Chinese market. This is a fact worth noting when you see the extended colour palette offering within the updated range – this market traditionally favours a level of exuberance in their car purchases compared with European customers.
What’s new on the updated Porsche Cayenne?
Sharper exterior styling and updated head- and taillamp lighting technology aside, the SUV gains the Porsche Driving Experience (fascia layout) that debuted in the all-electric Taycan. This includes a new multifunction steering wheel design and fingertip-operated transmission lever that’s housed between a 12,6-inch digital instrument cluster and the crisp workings of a 12,3-inch infotainment screen. Also available is an optional 10,9-inch passenger display screen – that can’t be viewed by the driver. The car’s 15 W wireless charging pad is now cooled for improved efficiency.
Matrix LED headlamp technology is now standard fitment on the Cayenne, with intuitive HD Matrix LED items available as an optional extra.
With wheel rim sizes ranging from 20- to 22-inches, the updated Porsche SUV’s standard steel-sprung suspension features PASM active suspension management with a new, dual-valve damper setup for improved ride quality in all driving conditions. The optional adaptive air suspension offers a more notable differentiation between Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes. Each mated with an 8-speed Tiptronic (automatic) transmission, all three engine options have received increased performance, respectively.
The entry-level base Cayenne’s 3,0-litre V6 turbopetrol gains 10 kW and 50 N.m to deliver total outputs of 260 kW and 500 N.m of torque, while the Cayenne S boasts 349 kW and 600 N.m from its turbocharged V8 drivetrain. Significantly, E-Hybrid models gain from both the increased combustion engine performance, but also an updated (more powerful) electric motor and a new 25,9 kWh battery, up from 17,9 kWh in the outgoing model. This affords the vehicle a claimed purely electric driving range of up to 90 kilometres.
What does the updated Porsche Cayenne cost?
Porsche Cayenne: R1 848 000
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid: R2 194 000
Porsche Cayenne S: R2 125 000
Porsche Cayenne Coupé: R1 933 000
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupé: R2 259 000
Porsche Cayenne S Coupé: R2 232 000
Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT: R4 128 000 Including a 3-year maintenance plan
What are the updated Porsche Cayenne’s rivals?
Traditional rivals to the German SUV and its Coupé range include the BMW X5 and X6 siblings, the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Audi Q8 and the Jaguar F-Pace.
Verdict
The Cayenne package is sharper than ever and now features an impressively modern, sophisticated interior. Together with increased performance throughout the range, in true Porsche fashion, the car feels genuinely capable in all driving conditions.
My pick of the range would be the base Cayenne SUV. The V6 drivetrain offers ample performance and relative efficiency while sacrificing nothing in the way of style, sophistication and comfort compared with the V8-powered Cayenne S – the latter simply sounds better in full flight.
Porsche Cayenne Fast Facts
- Price: R1 848 000
- Engine: front-mounted, turbopetrol, 2 995cc, V6
- Transmission: eight-speed auto
- Power: 260 kW @ 5400 – 6400 r/min
- Torque: 500 N.m @ 1450 – 4500 r/min
- Driven wheels: All
- 0-100 km/h: 5,7 sec
- Top speed: 248 km/h
- Fuel consumption: 9,4 L/100km (combined)
- CO2 emissions: 215 g/km
- Rivals: BMW X5; Mercedes-Benz GLE
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