2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Performance

The Cayenne Turbo is a standalone model in the US that comes in only one variant, with the electrified Turbo S E-Hybrid reviewed separately. Still, that's not to say that it isn't that great. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generates an astonishing 541 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque, split among the front and rear wheels with the assistance of an eight-speed automatic transmission. This works incredibly well for launches, with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo's 0-60 mph sprint dispatched in just 3.9 seconds (3.7 if you spec the Sport Chrono package, which includes launch control). Keep your foot hard down, and the Cayenne Turbo will reach a top speed of 177 mph if you can find someplace to legally test it. Despite this incredible performance, the Turbo is pretty practical too, and impressive trailering ability is baked in, with the SUV able to tow as much as 7,700 lbs behind it. The adjustable air suspension and advanced AWD system will allow it to go off-road, but those shiny 21-inch alloys and low-profile tires will prove a hindrance.

Just one engine and transmission configuration is on offer, with the Cayenne Turbo featuring a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that produces 541 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque. This powers all four wheels with the aid of an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. As you'd expect of any Porsche with a Turbo badge, the force that this engine produces is phenomenal, and the throttle response is mind-boggling. This engine is a true masterpiece and keeps pushing throughout the rev range, never feeling overwhelmed by whatever you ask of it. Whether it's taking off from the lights or overtaking slower traffic, the Turbo just wants to go. This is helped along by a sweet companion of a gearbox that is both smooth and sharp, always changing to the correct ratio at just the right time. Naturally, a manual mode allows you to take control, and like most everything with Porsche, the responses are right up there with the best. If there's a reason to dislike the Cayenne Turbo, you won't find it under the hood.

As you'd expect of such a powerful engine, the Cayenne Turbo's gas mileage can be alarmingly heavy. EPA estimates for the 2023 Cayenne Turbo mpg figures are woeful, with gas mileage of 14/19/16 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. With a fuel capacity of 23.7 gallons worth of premium unleaded, this should equate to a mixed driving range of around 379 miles. Naturally, if you're driving hard or towing a load, that will drop even further, but it's still worth noting that the BMW X5 M Competition returns 1 mpg worse in a mix of city and highway driving.