2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Test Drive Review: Getting It Right
Between 2007-2009, the Acura ZDX, the Honda Crosstour and the BMW X6 all hit the scene as SUVs/crossovers with sloping, fastback-style roofs, long before the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. It was Michelle Christensen that coined the ZDX a "four-door luxury sports coupe," which Acura at the time said, "blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle." We thought they were goofy-looking then, and still do. But it's hard to say they weren't ahead of their time.
About a decade later, the Volkswagen Group brought out its own handful of these four-door vehicles called "coupes," but they mostly had flat roofs, even if they were lower than their standard SUV counterparts. Audi, Porsche, Bentley and VW all managed to produce one, but it's the horizontal look, like the 2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe and the GTS-spec version we had on our test drive, that jettisons the egg appearance and homes in on what makes a big car look good. This Cayenne Coupe and the Audi SQ8 are the best looking of the bunch, though the Bentley Bentayga and VW Atlas Cross are also handsome.
The Cayenne Coupe comes in a variety of flavors, topped by the 453-horsepower GTS. All are fast but the GTS makes you wonder why you'd ever need a Cayenne Turbo Coupe. Dynamically, it feels like a Porsche. The steering wheel felt connected directly to the tires, even though it's an electronic setup, and the brakes were race-car strong. There were a few ergonomic and technology elements that annoyed us, but the selection of upgrades on the GTS make it the sweet spot of the lineup. Besides those VW Group cars we mentioned, the Cayenne Coupe fights for sales against the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE-Coupe. The Porsche is dynamically superior to these competitors but it does require you to pay a premium.
What's the Price of the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe?
The price of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe begins at $80,700 MSRP for the entry-level model. The Cayenne Coupe Platinum Edition is priced at $84,800. This is followed by the E-Hybrid Coupe at $91,800 with $95,500 needed for the E-Hybrid Coupe Platinum Edition. The Cayenne S Coupe costs $95,200 and the Platinum Edition version at $97,300. The GTS tops the range at $115,800. These prices exclude the $1,450 destination charge in the US.
We turned to the configurator to see how much a GTS would cost if you added some niceties. We went for a Carmine Red exterior, 22-inch Sport Black Classic wheels, the Black/Carmine Red GTS interior, the 18-way power-adjustable adaptive sport seats with memory, the Assistance Package, the Premium Package Plus, and rear-axle steering. Including destination, the total came to over $138,460, all-in. There's no shortage of amazing go-faster SUVs at that price.
2022 Cayenne Coupe Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 194.2 in | 114.0 in | 66.0 in | 78.1 in | 66.0 in | 65.8 in | 4,663.0 lbs |
2022 Cayenne Coupe Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The Cayenne saved Porsche when times were tough 20 years ago. And though a lot of hardcore enthusiasts complained, but Porsche managed to successfully instill its company ethos into the SUV. There would be no 911 if there was no Cayenne. Early ones drove well, but later versions, and this Coupe, were even better.
The legendary Porsche "feel" always starts with handling. Before it attained supercar status, the 911 would still out corner and out brake the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the world. And this Cayenne Coupe GTS will do the same to faster SUV "coupes." The suede-covered wheel was thick, and felt like a couple of baseball bats in our hands. Even in the Normal driving mode, it took a good amount of effort to turn. When the road waves and ripples, the steering wheel reacts. Some automakers want to tune that out, others want to dial it in.
As you go up in modes, to Sport and Sport Plus, the steering gets even more sensitive, but still heavy, and the eight-speed automatic shifts faster. The adaptive suspension visually hunkers down the body and the V8 gets louder. In case we haven't made our point clear, the Cayenne Coupe GTS is a thrilling SUV to drive fast.
2022 Cayenne Coupe Interior
2022 Cayenne Coupe Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 1 Years / 10,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe A Good SUV?
As we said, the Volkswagen Group's coupe-SUVs are the best looking of the bunch and the only ones we'd recommend on looks alone. We'll accept that the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE coupe are both great performers. However, they're not as great as what Porsche is building in Stuttgart.
Without a doubt, the Cayenne Coupe is at the expensive end of the spectrum in its segment. It starts off at a higher price point than the Audi Q8, BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. In the case of our tester, we're talking a well optioned GTS trim here, which comes in at an eye-watering $111,700.
Of all the coupe-SUVs, it comes down to the Cayenne and the SQ8 for us. Though more powerful, not even the Lamborghini Urus feels like a true Porsche the way the Cayenne does. It comes down to handling and feel, and the Cayenne Coupe has those down pat.
What New 2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Model Should I Buy?
As much as we love the GTS trim with its lowered stance and center-exit exhaust, the cheaper E-Hybrid deserves a hard look. It makes 455 hp and 516 lb-ft between its turbocharged V6 and electric motor. Porsche's hybrid systems are also some of the best. If you have it in Eco mode it'll sail on the expressway with the engine off at 80 mph, just to gently kick back on when you need it. That one starts at a base price of $88,600 in the USA and it would be our choice of Cayenne Coupe.
2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Comparisons
2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe vs Porsche Cayenne
The standard Cayenne is a brilliant SUV. In fact, you could argue that Porsche was the first manufacturer to build an SUV that handled like a sporty sedan. It has more space on the inside and it comes with five seats. By comparison, the Cayenne Coupe has less trunk space and yet it costs more. The Cayenne weighs a little more, but you can only tell under hard acceleration from a standing start. Once it's on the move, it covers miles at an alarming pace. It's also less conspicuous than the Coupe, which means you can (allegedly) get away with more. Still, we do like the Coupe's styling. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe and Audi Q8 are the only SUV Coupes that seem to be universally appealing. It's also worth remembering that the Coupe comes as standard with the Sport Chrono Package, making it more of a driver's car than the regular SUV. Both are great vehicles but we prefer the sportier Coupe.
2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe vs Porsche Macan
First, there was the Cayenne, and then came the smaller, lighter Macan. Porsche was already three generations into the Cayenne while developing the Macan, and it shows. It's a blistering little SUV providing some in-house competition for the Cayenne Coupe, but it tends to feel slightly clinical. You get the feeling that no matter how hard you push, its German brain is wondering, "is zat ze best you can do Americaner?"
The latest Macan GTS boasts 434 hp, which is appealing. We like the base four-cylinder even more, though. It's the same engine used in the Golf GTI, and it is stunning. With less weight up front, the Macan is also keener to turn into a bend. Sure, the performance isn't mind-blowing from a standing start, but once you're on the move, you realize that the four-pot is more than up to the task. If you don't need the extra space, go for the Macan. But if you need something bigger or simply want to make a statement, opt for the Cayenne Coupe. Preferably in the boisterous GTS trim.