2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Review: Power And Personality

No one was sure that a luxurious and high-performance SUV would be successful, but Acura and Volkswagen blazed the trail that would later be followed by Porsche Cayenne Coupe. It wasn't the first, and likely won't be the last, as competition like the Bentley Bentayga and Audi SQ8 continue to impress. With up to 453 horsepower under the hood of the high-end GTS trim, the 2023 Cayenne is one of the fastest SUV coupes on the road, and it is truly pleasing to look at, too. Despite its size, the high-rider manages to handle like a true Porsche, but it also has more tech than your average sports car due to its SUV nature; however, it still lags a little behind the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Coupe in this regard. Still, a prestigious badge and undisputable performance characteristics alone might be worth the price of admission.

What's the Price of the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe?

Before even starting to think of owning one of these luxurious sports crossovers, you'll need to spend some time saving up. Even the base model 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe carries a massive price of $80,700, while the Platinum Edition will cost you $84,800. The S and S Platinum Edition similarly go for $95,200 and $97,300, respectively. At the top of the range is the GTS, which exceeds six figures at $115,800. These prices for the new Porsche Cayenne Coupe are MSRP and do not include the $1,450 destination charge.

2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Handling and Driving Impressions

While the Cayenne Coupe is a pretty serious deviation from Porsche's regular style of car, there is no denying its heritage. This is a German sports car, through and through. From the moment you set your hands on the wheel, you can feel the Porsche DNA in the Cayenne. The steering has some heft to it, unlike regular city runabouts that do everything with oodles of electric assistance. Thus, you get a real sense of what the tires are doing and can respect the weight of the vehicle.

Things really start to get fun when you flip the switch to Sport or Sport Plus driving modes. From here, the chassis and suspension tighten up, and the transmission is more eager to shift down to give you the power you need. Consequently, the engine also gets a bit louder, as if anticipating what you are about to do with it. Despite all this, the Cayenne Coupe doesn't sacrifice much in the way of comfort. It is an SUV, after all. Most bumps in the road are dispatched easily enough, and solid build quality ensures that the only thing interrupting the silence is the engine.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe A Good SUV?

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne is the last of the third generation prior to the mid-cycle facelift. It's hard to think that such a gorgeous piece of machinery could need any help in the looks department since the current model has managed to sell well in spite of its absurd price tag. It also blows the competition out of the water when it comes to the driving experience. That is what you're really paying for - the fun factor. That being said, it doesn't skimp on luxuries. You get plenty of tech, though you may have to pay a little extra for some things you would get as standard in the competition. But, for people that can afford even a base-level model, the bump in price probably won't be all that noticeable. In terms of looks and handling prowess, there really is no comparison.

What 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Model Should I Buy?

A quick review of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe brings up a few worthwhile options. However, if you want V8 power and unbeatable performance, the GTS is the clear choice. It does come at over six figures, though, which can be rather intimidating, even to regular buyers of the German luxury brand. You could consider one of the hybrid trims, too, as they have comparable power and might return some of your significant investment in many years. We suspect next year's S - which will get a V8 engine - might be the sweet spot in the lineup, but for now, it's GTS or nothing if you want a V8.