2024 Porsche Cayenne Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

Leaning on its decades-long legacy of sports car manufacturing, Porsche imbues each of its vehicles—including SUVs like the 2024 Cayenne—with a fun-to-drive nature that's hard for rivals to match. Although the Cayenne is a mid-size SUV, it feels light on its feet in corners thanks to an expertly tuned chassis. It's also quick, especially with one of its high-output powertrains that include an available plug-in hybrid and a twin-turbo V-8. Porsche's largest SUV is also luxurious, with a refined ride, a quiet cabin, and plenty of tech and convenience features. While it may not outperform a 911 Turbo, the Cayenne offers plenty of athleticism to satisfy its driver while also providing ample space for people and cargo. That kind of flexibility is what earned the Cayenne a spot on our 2024 Editors' Choice list.

What's New for 2024?

The Cayenne receives a styling refresh this year, albeit a mild one. Tweaks to the exterior require a keen eye but inside, the Cayenne gets a new dashboard design with more digital real estate, a new steering wheel on loan from the 911 sports car, and a new toggle-type shift lever mounted on the dashboard. Porsche has upped the ante on its performance across the board, too. The base model gets 13 more horsepower than before, while the E-Hybrid gains 9 horsepower. The S trim gets the biggest boost, as it drops its twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 for a 468-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We're very fond of the entry-level Cayenne, which comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker stereo, and a Wi-Fi hotspot—among other popular equipment—and our preferred configuration would expand upon that with thoughtful options. We'd add the Premium package that includes ambient interior lighting, adaptive cruise control, a more powerful Bose surround-sound system, heated front and rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. We'd also optimize its on-road performance and off-road capabilities with the Sport Chrono package (expanded drive modes and launch control), the Off-Road package (extra underbody protection and additional displays), and the adaptive air suspension.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Porsche will let you spec the Cayenne in several ways, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 348 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid (called the E-Hybrid) marries an electric motor and a turbocharged V-6 for a combined 463 horsepower. The Cayenne S boasts a 468-hp twin-turbo V-8 with a great-sounding exhaust note and breathtaking acceleration. There's also an S E-Hybrid, which uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and an electric motor for 512 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. We expect a range-topping GTS trim with even more power, but Porsche hasn't confirmed that model just yet. All engines pair with an astute eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. While making anything that weighs more than two tons move gracefully is challenging, the engineers in Stuttgart were successful with the Cayenne. When we were able to sample a Cayenne S and found it just as athletic and refined as last year's model. Adaptive dampers are now standard across the Cayenne lineup, and most trims will have additional performance options that include an adjustable air suspension, four-wheel steering for improved maneuverability, and active anti-roll bars for flatter cornering.

0–60-MPH Times

When we tested the base Cayenne with the 348-hp turbocharged V-6 we recorded a brisk 4.7-second 60 mph time. The Cayenne S and S E-Hybrid models will no doubt prove quicker, but we haven't had either one on our test track yet.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The 2024 E-Hybrid's range should be slightly higher than before, thanks to an enlarged battery pack that boosts estimated usable capacity from 14.3 kilowatt-hours to 20.6. Last year's model was rated for up to 15 miles of electric driving, so we expect to see a range of around 25 miles. Porsche has also upgraded the E-Hybrid's onboard charger to allow for faster charging times.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that the base Cayenne should deliver 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, while the S model with the V-8 engine is good for 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The E-Hybrid models have not yet been rated by the EPA. When we get a chance, we'll take the new Cayenne on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route and update this story with results. For more information about the Cayenne's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the 2024 Cayenne gets a new dashboard design with more screens and a look that's inspired by the Taycan EV sedan. The SUV's steering wheel has been replaced by one borrowed from the 911 sports car, and the gauge cluster is now fully digital. A toggle shifter is mounted on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console for a storage nook. Porsche essentially provides a blank canvas inside the Cayenne for customers to personalize as they see fit. Everything from the interior trim to the seatbelt colors and the surface materials can be individually selected, almost always with a stiff additional cost. In addition to traditional options—heated and ventilated front and rear seats, for instance—the Cayenne offers desirable upgrades such as more supportive seats, massaging front seats, and four-zone climate control. Rivals like the Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90 have three rows while the Porsche has only two, but at least the Cayenne's back seat is adjustable and provides plenty of stretch-out space. The Cayenne entices Porsche enthusiasts with ample passenger capacity and cargo volume, which are far greater than any 911's.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Cayenne's driver and front passenger face a wall of digital displays that stretch the entire length of the dashboard. In the center is a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. To the right of that is a secondary (and optional) 10.9-inch display for the front passenger, which Porsche says can be used to stream video content because it features a safety mechanism that makes it invisible from the driver's vantage point. There's a separate 12.6-inch screen meant just for the driver, nestled behind the steering wheel and projecting vehicle speed, the tachometer, a trip computer, and other functions.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Cayenne is available with a bevy of driver-assistance technology to help keep occupants safe. Every model has forward-collision warning and parking sensors at both ends. It even supports night vision with an optional infrared camera. For more information about the Cayenne's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Porsche provides a competitive limited and powertrain warranty. However, BMW and Volvo provide lengthier coverage for complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first year or 10,000 miles

More Features and Specs