The Porsche Cayenne has long been a luxury SUV that’s something a little different from what the other big luxury brands offer. While most of its competitors primarily focus on comfort, Porsche puts a bigger priority on performance. However, as this all-new 2019 Cayenne proves, strong performance doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort. Ever since the Cayenne first came out, it’s been searching for that perfect balance of luxury and performance in a midsize SUV and with this all-new third-generation model, it gets a step closer to that perfect recipe.
The Cayenne is all-new for 2019. You might not notice its subtle exterior refresh at first glance, but it has a new front fascia and a horizontal light bar in the back that’s becoming ubiquitous with the Porsche brand. The interior is heavily refreshed with a new 12.3-in Porsche Communications Management (PCM) infotainment system. There’s a new base engine, which is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 making 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque — a strong improvement over the previous model. It’s linked to a new 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission and all-wheel drive comes standard on every 2019 Cayenne. This SUV’s curb weight is down 120 lbs and it gains 15 percent more cargo space compared to its predecessor.
Autotrader’s Advice:
The higher-performance variants of the Cayenne are tempting, but it’s hard not to recommend the base model of the Cayenne, which we think offers the best value. For most drivers, the turbocharged flat-six engine in the base model is more than sufficient, but if you really crave stronger performance from your SUV, the S and Turbo models are always there if you have the budget for them. No matter which Cayenne you go with, you’re getting one of the sportier offerings in midsize luxury SUVs that’s just as at home on a winding canyon road as it is on your everyday commute.
What We Like:
- Excellent standard infotainment system
- Standard AWD
- Strong turbocharged engines, even at the base level
- Agile handling for an SUV
- Roomy, comfortable interior
What We Don’t:
- Expensive compared to most competitors
- Subpar cargo capacity, albeit more than the previous generation
Original MSRP:
$66,950-$125,850 (when new).
MPG:
The 2019 Porsche Cayenne has four different powertrain options available. The base 3.0-liter turbo flat-six produces 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque while returning 19 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Upgrading to the S model gets you a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque without much of a fuel economy penalty. It returns 18 mpg city/23 mpg hwy. The high-performance Cayenne Turbo with a turbocharged V8 makes 541 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque and returns 15 mpg city/19 mpg hwy.
Standard Features & Options:
There’s quite a bit of variety in the Porsche Cayenne lineup with each iteration offering its own satisfying blend of performance and luxury. Every Cayenne is a 2-row SUV with five seats with no third row available. A few nice perks that come standard on every trim include AWD, a very customizable 12.3-in infotainment system with navigation, leather seats and much more.
The base Cayenne (66,950) is no slouch. It has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engine, which makes 335 hp, achieves 0-to-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and gives the Cayenne a top speed of 152 mph. Standard equipment includes AWD, 19-in wheels, a 12.3-in infotainment system with navigation, a 10-speaker premium audio system, four USB charging ports, LED exterior lighting, two high-resolution displays in the instrument cluster, and more.
The
2019 Porsche Cayenne S ($84,150) upgrades this SUV with a more powerful 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 434 hp, hustles from 0-to-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 164 mph. As for creature comforts, standard equipment is similar to the base model.
The name of the
2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo ($125,850) might sound redundant considering all Cayennes are turbocharged, but in this case, “Turbo” means a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine under the hood packing 541 hp, a 0-to-60 time of 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 177 mph. This performance model gets upgrades including 21-in wheels, Porsche Surface Coated Brakes, which are optional on the lower trims, a panoramic roof, a Bose 14-speaker surround sound system, a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, an Alcantara headliner, front and rear heated leather seats, and more.
The
2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid ($81,150) comes with a hybrid 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that makes 455 hp, achieves 0-to-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, and has a top speed of 157 mph. That means the hybrid is quicker and more powerful than the Cayenne S at a more affordable starting price. We can also pretty safely assume it’s more efficient, but as of this writing, EPA fuel economy estimates are not available for the Cayenne E-Hybrid. The E-Hybrid model comes standard with the Sport Chrono package, which gives you a mode switch on the steering wheel allowing you to select from Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual drive modes. The Sport Chrono package is optional on the base Cayenne.
Safety:
Every 2019 Cayenne comes standard with anti-lock brakes, stability control, side impact airbags, overhead airbags and knee airbags.
Behind the Wheel:
The new Porsche Cayenne does an excellent job delivering on its promises of being a luxury SUV that is exciting to drive. It offers a driving experience not quite like anything else in this segment. It has a distinctly performance-oriented character in the way it looks and drives from its engaging performance to the driver-centric cockpit that never lets the driver forget you’re in a Porsche. On the more luxurious side of things, we love the huge 12.3-in infotainment system, which is extremely customizable, allowing you to see everything you want and nothing you don’t. Adding to that is the analog tachometer in the middle of the gauge cluster flanked by two screens that are also customizable so you can tailor the driving experience to be exactly what you want. The further you move up the Porsche Cayenne food chain, the more fun the drive is going to be. If you want an especially enjoyable drive without spending too much, the base model with the Sport Chrono package is a strong value. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with the Cayenne S or Cayenne Turbo models that really crank up the performance without sacrificing comfort and practicality.
Learn more
