El Porsche 911 It has always been the most representative and well-known model of the German house. However, to survive Porsche had to compromise its history. The Porsche Cayenne gave a second life to those of Stuttgart. An SUV that nobody wanted but that everyone buys. A groundbreaker with the soul of a sports car who can even stand up to his own brother.
Sometimes you have to deviate from the path so as not to say goodbye to the trip. Before closing the millennium Porsche warned of the arrival of an SUV, even before the trend exploded. Many voices were raised against, but finally in 2002 the Cayenne became official. Since then, the figures that tell him about him is that he is one of the best-selling models in the house, only below his little brother, the Porsche Macan.
This huge SUV has some milestones for itself within the brand: being Porsche's first SUV, and being the company's first model to mount a diesel block and hybrid engines. Over the years, the Cayenne has been refined through generations and updates. The last of them, the third edition, appeared on the markets in 2018, with the important novelty of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. In the spring of 2023, both bodies undergo a thorough restyling, focused on a new passenger compartment and a completely revised mechanical range.
Technical characteristics of the Porsche Cayenne
Porsche is part of the great family of the Volkswagen Group. That means you have access to one of the largest parts warehouses in the world. Under the sculpted body of the large SUV hides the MLB Evo platform, the same used by other models such as the Volkswagen Touareg, Listen Q7, Bentley Bentayga or Lamborghini Governance.
In this particular case, Porsche engineers modify a large part of the structure to adapt it to their power and performance requirements. Externally, it reaches generous measures of 4,92 meters long, 1,98 meters wide and 1,7 meters high for a wheelbase of 2,89 meters. The Cayenne Coupé matches the measurements, although it is slightly larger, reaching 4,93 meters.
Both bodies offer an interior habitability for five passengers, three of them installed in a second row of seats where the central seat is practically unusable. Regarding load capacity, the Porsche Cayenne announces a trunk with 627 liters for the hybrid versions (434 liters for the Coupé), and up to 772 liters depending on the version (592 liters for the Coupé)
Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Porsche Cayenne
As we have already said, the Porsche Cayenne has to its credit several milestones within the brand. Its mechanical range allows many different options, but since 2020 it has gotten rid of all diesel engines given the latest emission regulations. Currently the portfolio is made up of five petrol variants and two plug-in hybrid versions. The entire range is accompanied by automatic gearboxes and four-wheel drive systems.
The range starts with Cayenne with a 6-liter V354 turbo engine developing 500 horsepower and XNUMX Nm of torque. From there we enter the field of V8 blocks of four liters biturbo. Given the recent release of the 2023 update, only the Cayenne S with an output of 475 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque is present for now.
The diesels have been replaced by plug-in hybrid versions that are more respectful of the environment and more efficient. The first is the Cayenne E Hybrid with a three-liter V6 engine, a 25,9 kWh capacity battery and a front electric motor with 177 horsepower. The set develops a power maximum of 470 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque with an approved consumption of 1,5 liters per 100 kilometers traveled and an official range in the WLTP cycle of 74 kilometers.
Equipment of the Porsche Cayenne
From doors to inside all Porsche models offer a high quality of finishes. A perfect choice of materials that gives off an aroma of quality, comfort and sportiness. Much of the 2023 renovation focuses on the interior. The layout of the dashboard changes completely to offer greater digitization. The presentation is very reminiscent of the Porsche Taycan, highlighting the particular screen for the co-driver (optional) and the digital instrumentation with a curved panel.
As is customary at home, the range of equipment of the flagship model of the SUV family is staggered in the different power levels. The greater the power, the greater the equipment, in addition to different aspects that change the aesthetic appearance of the car. The levels are, from smallest to largest: Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, Cayenne S, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo GT Coupé
As far as equipment is concerned, the possibilities are practically endless, being able to easily add and subtract elements, although after paying excessive amounts. Elements such as: matrix LED headlights, multimedia system with a touch screen of up to 12,3 inches, digital instrumentation, mobile connectivity and much more stand out. Some of the optional equipment also focuses on improving the dynamics such as carbon brakes, improved suspensions or the steering rear axle.
The Porsche Cayenne on video
The Porsche Cayenne according to Euro NCAP
Euro NCAP subjected the Porsche Cayenne to its impact tests in 2017, giving it the highest possible score, 5 stars.. The note that the German premium SUV obtained in the different safety tests were distributed as follows: The protection offered to adult and child occupants in the event of an impact amounts to 95 and 80 percent respectively. In the event of pedestrians and cyclists being run over, it achieves a protection of 73 percent. Finally, in terms of active driving aids, it achieved 62 percent protection. These ratings are still valid as of 2023 and are shared with the Cayenne Coupé body.
The Porsche Cayenne of Km 0 and second hand
The Porsche Cayenne is one of the most expensive models of the German firm, but its high degree of desirability means that alternative sales channels are very complete in terms of units and versions. Throughout its years of life it has grown accompanied by a well-deserved reputation for durability, resistance, quality and sportsmanship. All this encourages the second-hand market and causes the depreciation of the model remains at an excellent figure of 27,5%, one of the best in its category.
If we take a look at the used and second-hand market, we see that prices start from amounts close to 8.000 euros for first generation models with more than 200 thousand kilometers traveled. If we move to the Km 0 market, the offer is much smaller, since most buyers look for factory units with orders adapted to their tastes. In this case, prices shoot up to minimum figures close to 90 thousand euros.
Rivals of the Porsche Cayenne
Although given the characteristics, the size and the price of the Cayenne one might think that there are not many similar models, the reality is that the list of rivals is much larger than one might think. Rivals of the premium and luxury segment that offer quality, technology and sportsmanship in equal parts. Some famous names are: BMW X6, Mercedes GLE coupe, Maserati Levante, Range Rover Sport, Volvo XC90, Listen Q8, BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, and its aforementioned brothers from the Volkswagen Group with whom it shares a platform.
Highlight
- Behavior
- Benefits
- Quality
To improve
- optional price
- High weight
- rear center seat
Porsche Cayenne Prices
When it comes to pricing, the Cayenne is arguably one of the more expensive models in the family. The starting price of the Porsche Cayenne is 103.371 euros, without offers or promotions. The Porsche Cayenne Coupé amounts to a minimum figure of 107.485 euros, without offers or promotions. The most expensive in the family, for now, are the Cayenne S with a launch price of 124.593 euros, without discounts, and the Cayenne S Coupé with a minimum value of 129.917 euros, without offers or promotions.
Image gallery
The content of the article adheres to our principles of editorial ethics. To report an error click here.