Source: www.porsche.com
Sporty midsize luxury SUV with a stellar towing capacity
Price From $73,650 – To $114,550
by SUViews Editor | Mar 24, 2023
Overview
Marketed as a midsize luxury SUV, Porsche Cayenne first hit the market almost two decades ago, back in 2002. The 2023 Porsche Cayenne belongs to the third generation, and there has been no major changes to the lineup this year. There are ample top-rated luxury vehicles in the same segment, but what sets apart Cayenne is its sporty demeanor, something you’ll rarely find in SUVs. Other than that, its performance is outstanding on all road conditions, and the luxury features and amenities make the deal sweeter.
In this 2023 Porsche Cayenne review, we’ll take a close look at what this luxury SUV has to offer in terms of engine, performance, comfort, safety, and more, so you can have greater clarity about whether this is the right choice for you.
Performance, Engine, and Comfort
Porsche Cayenne boasts superior engine options and offers impressive performance both on-road and off-road. The interior is thoughtfully designed, has room for personalization, and makes sure the driver and the passengers have a memorable experience.
Engine & Performance
Whether you want a powerful V-8 engine or a hybrid—Cayenne has it all. The type of engine you choose will determine the performance of the vehicle, but frankly, there is very little to complain about, except the fuel economy.
Engine
There are a wide range of engine options in this lineup. The base engine is a 3-liter V-6 turbo with an output of 335 hp. For the Cayenne S, you get the more powerful V-6 engine which produces 434 hp. For the E-Hybrid variant, a V-6 turbo engine is paired with an electric motor, generating 455 hp. And in case you’re looking for more power, there is a V-8 engine available in Cayenne GTS trim, which produces 460 hp. Among these, the base engine is a good choice because it has ample power and capability, and the hybrid one is also promising.
Transmission
All the engines work with eight-speed automatic transmission.
Suspension
Cayenne has front and rear multilink suspension. Adaptive air suspension is available as an optional element.
Steering
The steering feels a bit too firm for our liking, but that doesn’t mean Cayenne compromises on offering a sporty driving experience. Its tilt and telescopic electric-powered steering has audio and transmission controls on them.
Safety & Reliability
Cayenne has a long list of standard and optional safety and driver-assist features. However, for this price range, we expected to see more standard features.
Brakes
Porsche Cayenne comes with 16.3-inch vented disc for front brakes and 14.4-inch vented disc for rear brakes.
Airbags
To ensure safety in the time of collision, the vehicle is equipped with dual front and rear side-mount airbags, along with front and rear head airbags.
Electronics
Cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, stability control, child safety lock on rear door, 4-wheel ABS, emergency braking assist, tire pressure monitoring, and anti-theft alarm are some of the notable features.
Lights
Adaptive headlights, self-leveling headlights, daytime running lights, cornering lights, LED headlamp, and dusk sensing headlamps are part of the standard package.
Traction control
Traction control, a feature that prevents tire slippage in inconvenient road conditions, comes as standard in this vehicle.
Fuel Economy
If we have to point out a major drawback in Porsche Cayenne, it has to be the poor fuel economy. The engines are powerful for sure but they are not at all fuel efficient, not even the hybrid setup.
Engine size
The base offering is a 3-liter twin-turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection.
Gas per mileage consumption
The entry level Cayenne offers 18/22 mpg city/highway and Cayenne S offers 17/22 mpg city/highway. The numbers drop even further for Cayenne GTS—15/19 mpg city/highway. The hybrid setup of the E-Hybrid offers 21 mpg city and highway combined, and 17 miles of all-electric range.
Interior
The interior of Porsche Cayenne represents true luxury, because the automaker gives you all the freedom to design it the way you want. You can handpick individual elements such as the color of seatbelts, the upholstery, and more. These little details make a world of difference—these are the differentiators that make a luxury car stand out from a generalist one. Even though some customizations are rather expensive, they can transform the way your cabin looks and feels.
Seats
Porsche Cayenne has a seating capacity of 5. The entire seating arrangement is clad in luxury, with leather upholstery, 8-way power driver’s seat with height adjustment and multi-level heating, sport front seats, and spacious legroom. The rear seats get two separate infotainment display units, reclining seats, and a center armrest for extra comfort. The vehicle comes with only two rows, which makes the legroom abundant in the rear seats. If you’re looking for something more, you can upgrade to four-zone climate control and massaging front seats.
Design
Cayenne has a distinctive exterior styling that makes it stand out, but the sporty design may not appeal to all buyers. Porsche offers plenty of options for customizing the vehicle, so you can add features and designs to curate your dream car.
Infotainment
The infotainment system has a clean interface—it’s easy to navigate and is responsive. The vehicle comes with a 12.3-inch display, Bose stereo system, Bose speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wifi hotspot, USB and AUX input. Keeping in mind the entertainment of rear seat passengers, Porsche also offers two 10-inch displays.
Overall height and space
The vehicle is 193.7 inches long, 86.4 inches wide (including mirrors), and 66.8 inches in height. The wheelbase is 114 inches.
Trunk space
There is 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space available behind the rear seats. You can expand it to 60.3 cubic feet by folding down the rear seats.
Price and Extras
Porsche Cayenne is targeting a buyer segment that is willing to pay a premium for a top-notch luxury experience. If you’re one of them, you’ll love the way Cayenne feels when you’re sitting behind the wheels. The pricing may not be justified, as with most luxury vehicles, but Porsche tries to make the deal more attractive by offering a good warranty coverage and massive towing capacity.
Market Price
The 2023 Porsche Cayenne is available in 4 trim levels—Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, Cayenne S, and Cayenne GTS. The entry level Cayenne is a great pick, as it’s pretty well-equipped. Instead of hopping on to the next and more expensive trim, we would suggest you choose the Premium package with the base trim. It gives you a number of luxurious additions, including a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and Bose sound system, to mention a few. If you’re looking for excellent off-road performance, go ahead with the Off-Road package. Features and luxuries increase as you keep going up the trim levels, with the top trim Cayenne GTS priced at a whopping above $100k. We can’t particularly say this lineup is a value for money purchase, because you’ll find other automakers offering a similar luxurious experience at a way lesser price. But if you’re eyeing a Porsche and you have the budget, Cayenne would never disappoint you.
| Trim Level | Base Price |
| Cayenne | $73,650 |
| Cayenne E-Hybrid | $87,950 |
| Cayenne S | $92,350 |
| Cayenne GTS | $114,550 |
AWD/FWD
All-wheel drive is available as standard across all trim levels.
Warranty
Porsche’s warranty coverage is one of the best in the midsize luxury segment. The Porsche Cayenne comes with a limited warranty coverage of 4 years or 50,000 miles, a powertrain warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles, and complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first 1 year or 10,000 miles. While the rest of the coverage is good enough, the complimentary maintenance duration could have been extended.
Extras
When properly equipped, the 2023 Porsche Cayenne can tow up to 7700 pounds, and it has a maximum payload capacity of 1657 pounds.
Verdict
Let’s be real—Porsche Cayenne is nearly flawless in all aspects, yet we cannot get over how less fuel efficient it is. But if you can look past that and you have a big budget, Cayenne would definitely be a great companion for you and your family. With its sporty rides, interior comfort, and easy handling, Cayenne is truly a cut above the rest.
