by Michael Butler
The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is not your ordinary midsize luxury crossover sports SUV. Now in its third generation, Porsche's original SUV is sharper, more luxurious, and vastly more capable than the very first of its kind, which made its debut back in 2003. Despite entering 2021 unchanged from the previous year, the Cayenne Turbo still offers class-leading performance and handling characteristics completely unbecoming of a car of its size. Powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 gas engine producing 541 horsepower and 567 lb-ft of torque, the Cayenne Turbo SUV will destroy the 0-60 mph sprint in only 3.9 seconds and do so while cradling its occupants in serene comfort. The 2021 Cayenne Turbo goes up against competitors such as the focused BMW X5 M and the exotic Maserati Levante GTS.
The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is completely unaltered compared to the 2020 model, save for a price increase from $126,500 to $127,800. The non-Turbo range sees the return of the GTS, but those lesser models are reviewed separately.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Turbo |
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$126,500 |
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
It would seem that everything Porsche touches turns to gold, whether it's a humble 2-door sports car, an all-electric executive, or even a 4-door SUV with the performance stats of a mid-90s supercar. As with the rest of the Cayenne range, the Turbo offers impeccable luxury and comfort but manages to entertain and stun with levels of performance usually reserved for flatter and lighter vehicles. The Turbo slots in below the S E-Hybrid power-wise but will still suck the air out of your lungs on a hard launch.
You won't find a safety rating for this premium cruiser, as nobody in the USA has put the 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo to review. But, according to consumer reports and J.D. Power, Porsche cars have superior reliability.
The 2021 model sees no significant changes, and to some, might look a bit too understated, but Porsche thankfully offers the sleeker Cayenne Coupe. Inside the cabin, the Cayenne Turbo SUV is built to perfection and features a large 12.3-inch infotainment display. It's practical, too, and offers tons of cargo space and ample passenger space. It may be pricey, but it is effortlessly good and more charming than the brutish BMW X5 M.
There's only one Turbo vehicle, so you'll have to look at the optional extras to individualize. We'd get one in Grey metallic and add the $3,750 Premium Package Plus, including quad-zone climate control, LED Matrix headlights, ventilated front seats, lane change assist, comfort access, and ambient lighting. The $1,130 Sport Chrono package is a bargain and includes numerous software tweaks to improve performance through engine, gearbox, and chassis adjustments. The total price of a 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo SUV with this build comes to $136,130, including a $1,350 destination fee.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo: