Impressive power and handling; high-quality interiors; fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid option; sports-car performance in an SUV
Extensive options list quickly escalates the already elevated base price; offers practical but not as voluminous options as other SUVs; punishing fuel economy in high-powered gas versions
The Cayenne carries over largely unchanged for 2018. An all-new 2019 model is set to arrive in dealer showrooms this fall. See the 2018 Porsche Cayenne models for sale near you
You'll have the best of both worlds in the satisfying yet reasonably economical plug-in S E-Hybrid. The number of boxes to check off on the options list depends on your bank balance.
Find a Porsche Cayenne for sale
Porsche offers the Cayenne in eight trims: Cayenne, Cayenne Platinum Edition, S, GTS, S E-Hybrid, S E-Hybrid Platinum Edition, Turbo and Turbo S.
The Cayenne ($61,650) comes with active all-wheel drive, an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer nozzles, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power rear lift gate, 10-speaker PCM audio with a 7-in touchscreen display, Bluetooth, fog lights, leather seating surfaces, 8-way power front seats and a refrigerated glove box.
The Cayenne Platinum Edition ($67,750) adds 20-in RS Spyder-style wheels, 8-way leather sport seats with Alcantara inserts and unique interior and exterior trim and badges.
The Cayenne S ($78,450) has a more powerful engine, plus 19-in wheels, a power sunroof and front and rear parking assist.
The Cayenne S E-Hybrid ($80,950) adds speed-sensitive power steering, Porsche Car Connect with a smartphone app, an adaptive suspension, an onboard charger and a hybrid readout display screen.
The Cayenne S E-Hybrid Platinum Edition ($83,850) adds the same features as the S Platinum Edition.
The Cayenne GTS ($99,650) gains a pneumatic air suspension, 20-in wheels, an upgraded suede and leather interior, performance brakes, an adjustable sport exhaust and 14-way power front seats.
The Cayenne Turbo ($119,150) features 14-way power front seats, LED headlights, an air suspension, 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, heated rear seats and 19-in wheels.
The Cayenne Turbo S ($162,650) adds such performance enhancements as Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), carbon-ceramic brakes and the Sport Chrono package.
Porsche has endowed the Cayenne with virtually every technological goodie available, but those creature comforts come at a price. For example, a Bose surround-sound system adds $1,690, while a 1,000-watt Burmester setup runs $5,690; Porsche Car Connect costs $540, while a satellite-radio receiver requires $750; and expect to pay $2,890 for a rear-seat entertainment system.
When it comes to driving aids, the Cayenne can be ordered with adaptive cruise control, lane-change assist, an active air suspension and PDCC. Ceramic brakes add nearly $9,000 to the sticker price.
With the rear seats folded, the Cayenne offers 62.9 cu ft. of rear-storage volume, which is less expansive than some models in this segment, but then again, this SUV is more about the S than the U.
| Sport Utility | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayenne AWD | $60,600 / N/A | 6 Cylinder Turbo | 300 | 18 / 24 | 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | AWD4WD |
| Cayenne GTS AWD | $98,600 / N/A | 6 Cylinder Turbo | 440 | 16 / 23 | 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | AWD4WD |
| Cayenne Platinum Edition AWD | $66,700 / N/A | 6 Cylinder Turbo / Hybrid | 300 | 17 / 23 | 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | AWD4WD |
| Cayenne S AWD | $77,400 / N/A | 6 Cylinder Turbo / Hybrid | 420 | 17 / 24 | 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | AWD4WD |
| Cayenne S E-Hybrid AWD | $79,900 / N/A | 6 Cylinder Turbo / Hybrid | 416 | N/A | 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | AWD4WD |
| Cayenne S Platinum Edition E-Hybrid AWD | $82,800 / N/A | 6 Cylinder Turbo / Hybrid | 416 | N/A | 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | AWD4WD |
| Cayenne Turbo AWD | $118,100 / N/A | 8 Cylinder Turbo | 520 | 14 / 21 | 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | AWD4WD |
| Cayenne Turbo S AWD | $161,600 / N/A | 8 Cylinder Turbo | 570 | 14 / 21 | 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | AWD4WD |
Porsche's Cayenne boasts crash-safety engineering that includes a chassis strategically reinforced with high-tensile steel, force limiters on the front seats and rollover detection that triggers seat-belt pretensioners and curtain airbags. Additional airbags are in front, passenger and driver's-knee locations. High-strength crossmembers protect the doors and bumpers.
Neither the government nor the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash-tested the Porsche Cayenne.
| Basic | 4 Years/50,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 4 Years/50,000 Miles |
| Corrosion | 12 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 Years/50,000 Miles |
2018 BMW X5 -- BMW's X5 trims range from the xDrive35i's turbocharged 6-cylinder to the X5 M's 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 that churns 567 hp. BMW's X5 offerings are more philosophically in line with Porsche's driver-focused Cayenne models than Audi's.
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport -- The Range Rover offers luxury and attention to design detail comparable to the Porsche, but its considerably higher curb weight keeps it from competing head-to-head against Porsche in performance.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT -- The Grand Cherokee SRT may not have the same level of luxury or panache as the Cayenne, but with 475 hp under its hood and a sub $70,000 price tag, it's certainly worth a test drive. The new Trackhawk version delivers 707 hp, trouncing the most powerful Cayenne.
Used Porsche Cayenne Turbo S -- A 2012-2016 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S will give all the performance and features of a new Turbo, but due to its lackluster resale value, it will cost a lot less.
Efficiency and versatility come standard with these affordable hybrid SUVs.
