2023 Porsche Cayenne Review: The Savant SUV
When Porsche started building the Cayenne, the automotive world sat up and paid attention because anything Porsche does, it tends to do really, really well. The Porsche Cayenne was the manufacturer's first go at an SUV and has since become one of its most popular models. This car doesn't just offer lots of space for families and their things, but it carries its occupants in gracious style - with exciting performance, to boot. The Porsche Cayenne remains one of the most sure-footed and fun-to-drive vehicles in its class, outshining other athletic competitors such as the Land Rover Range Rover and BMW X5. Available with a 460 horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine in GTS guise or a 455-hp E-Hybrid, this is an SUV that covers many bases. Even the entry-spec model makes 335 hp from a turbocharged V6. But with cheaper rivals offering a generous standard specification list (cue: the Genesis GV80), does the new Porsche Cayenne SUV still have what it takes to win over consumers?
What's the Price of the 2023 Porsche Cayenne?
No Porsche Cayenne has a low price, but if you refrain from adding too many options, you can get a reasonably priced Cayenne. The base model in the USA carries an MSRP of $72,200 before a $1,450 destination charge. The Cayenne Platinum Edition is priced at $80,400. The next step up in price comes in the form of the E-Hybrid, which starts at $86,500 - Platinum Edition E-Hybrids cost $94,400. The mid-range S model is a little less affordable with a base price of $90,900 with a $95,200 sticker price allocated to the Cayenne S Platinum Edition. The GTS is pricier still, with this model's asking price starting at $113,100.
Before we went completely deranged with trying different types of obnoxious customization choices on the online configurator, we found that we could spec a fully loaded GTS to the tune of around $185,000. Yeah - a Porsche Cayenne can cost almost $200k. We'd rather have a supercar, too.
2023 Porsche Cayenne Handling and Driving Impressions
Porsche cars are built to entertain, and oh boy, how the Cayenne delights. This midsize luxury crossover SUV offers a level of poise and dexterity that is hard to come by in this class and feels genuinely entertaining to drive. Turn-in is sharp, and the Cayenne, despite its bulky size and weight, will do exactly what you want it to do. On the highway, this machine gobbles up the miles, and on city roads, it's comfortable too, just avoid the larger wheel options, which cause a harsh ride over some bumps. With the twin-turbo V8 engine fitted, the Cayenne pulls itself out of corners with astonishing pace. The Cayenne is offered with all sorts of modern handling features such as four-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars, and, most importantly, adjustable air suspension, all of which contribute to this car's do-it-all personality. The Cayenne brakes are seriously convincing, but if you're after even more stopping power, the carbon-ceramic option is an expensive but effective one.
Verdict: Is The 2023 Porsche Cayenne A Good SUV?
Almost every Porsche Cayenne review will tell you the same thing: Porsche hasn't built a bad car in years, so why would it start now? The Porsche Cayenne is another brilliant offering from a manufacturer who just seems to get it. The Cayenne has everything you'd want in a modern luxury SUV: a prestigious brand name, exquisite luxury, a hefty price tag, and superior performance. It's even decently practical. From the inside out, the Cayenne exudes excellent build quality, and we love its buttonless interior and the fine material choices on offer. The customization list is also vast (just watch out for price creep). Sure the Cayenne isn't as spacious as some of its rivals, and its cargo area is also tighter, but it just does everything else so convincingly better than its rivals that it's hard to argue, even when priced so high.
What Porsche Cayenne Model Should I Buy?
As tempting as the GTS is - it's a brilliant vehicle to drive - the mid-level Cayenne S is our pick for a great balance of price and performance. It still doesn't offer much more than the regular Cayenne in terms of features, but its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 is barely less powerful than the GTS thanks to output figures of 434 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Nevertheless, we do still feel that the model could do with some enhancement. We'd add the above-mentioned Assistance package, and we'd also consider the standalone options of heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear-axle steering for GTS-rivaling handling ability.