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Expert Rating

Porsche Cayenne

(2018 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

55
%
E

Used car score:

46
%
E

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

71
%
B

Safety Rating:

60
%
C

Eco Rating:

61
%
B

Reliability Rating:

34
%
E

Running Costs:

20
%
E

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

55
%
E

Used car score:

46
%
E

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

71
%
B

Safety Rating:

60
%
C

Eco Rating:

61
%
B

Reliability Rating:

34
%
E

Running Costs:

20
%
E

Summary


The original Porsche Cayenne SUV was first launched in 2002 and shocked many as Porsche in those days was only known for various versions of the 911 sports car – but very soon it was selling more Cayennes than anything else.

The third generation was launched in late 2017 before arriving in the UK in Spring 2018. It was a total redesign that includes a body that looks a bit more related to the 911. The Cayenne has maintained its popularity, Evo stating in 2021 “if you’ve got to go SUV, this is the one.” Many testers see the car as defining the premium SUV.

In 2019 the Cayenne range gained a coupe sister with a more rakish roofline. Some reviewers struggle to see the point of this version, while others rate it more highly than the original version. Also added in recent times have been hybrid models, again to mixed reviews, Auto Express finding such versions “hard to justify”, inferior to both Porsche’s combustion-engined and fully electric cars. Car also said, “If you value the U in SUV, steer clear of the coupé – even if it is a great steer.”

Cayenne engines are all petrol – diesel offerings were dropped with the third generation, as the Volkswagen Group continues to hope that you’ve all forgotten its Dieselgate disgrace. The three options are a 3.0-litre V6, a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 and a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the first and last also available with hybrids. Power and resultant pace ranges from 340 to a remarkable 680hp.

Petrol models earn praise for their on-road refinement, typical of the comments “it’s not just good to drive for an SUV, it’s good to drive full stop.” But compared to their petrol siblings, the heavier hybrids feel more cumbersome.

The interior is adapted from the latest Panamera saloon and reviewers love its combination of technology and exceptional build. “The materials, quality and attention to detail are almost beyond reproach,” says Top Gear. Technology available impresses but choosing much of it adds quite a lot to the purchase bill.

The Porsche Cayenne range received a substantial mid-life update in the spring of 2023. The media reviews reflect a mix of pre-facelift and current cars.

As of January 2025, the Porsche Cayenne holds a New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 54%. Although it has received good review scores from motoring journalists, the Cayenne’s overall rating is let down by ownership scores. Its safety rating from Euro NCAP has now expired due to age, while its CO2 emissions are only average (and that score is helped considerably by the plug-in hybrid models). Reliability and running costs are both poor, which further drags down the Used Car Rating from D to E.

Cayenne highlights

  • Exceptional build quality
  • Plenty of engine options
  • Petrol versions handle very well
  • Top-quality interior in design and equipment

Cayenne lowlights

  • Hybrid versions heavier and cumbersome
  • Coupe costs more for less practicality
  • Technology options add a lot of cost
  • There are better-looking rivals

Key specifications


Body style: Large SUV and Coupé SUV
Powertrain: petrol, petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £70,400 on-road

Launched: Spring 2018
Last updated: Summer 2023
Next update due: TBA


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Discover EV

+

Eurekar

+

Evo

+

Honest John

+

Motoring Research

+

Parkers

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 95%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 73%
Safety assist: 62%

Notes on safety

The Porsche Cayenne was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Cayenne to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

In addition, the Cayenne’s safety rating does not apply to the Cayenne Coupé. The Coupé version was launched more than a year after the original Cayenne SUV was tested, and the rating was not automatically extended. Either the Cayenne Coupé would have to be tested separately or Porsche would have to supply proof to Euro NCAP that shows the Coupé would behave identically to the original SUV in the same situations.

As of January 2024, it appears that neither of these things have happened. So while the Cayenne Coupé is probably just as safe as the Cayenne SUV, it hasn’t been confirmed.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Porsche Cayenne has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Given that we-re talking about a high-performance, petrol-engined SUV that weighs in excess of two tonnes before adding any passengers or luggage, it’s pretty safe to assume that it won’t be winning any environmental awards…

Reliability rating


Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of January 2024, the Porsche Cayenne has a poor reliability score of 42%, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert from our commercial partner MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current model (2018 onwards) and previous-generation Cayennes.

Similarly, a report in August 2022 from warranty provider Warrantywise found the Cayenne to be the sixth least-reliable used car on sale up to ten years old.

More than a third of all reported problems with the Cayenne relate to electrical issues. Of more concern, nearly a quarter of all problems relate to engine issues, which have an average repair cost of more than £1,500. Gearbox faults are very expensive, at an average of £3,000 to fix, but these are relatively rare.

So if you own or are considering buying a used Porsche Cayenne, it’s certainly worth considering a used car warranty that covers all of the potential trouble spots shown in the charts above.

Running cost rating


Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models283 g/kmD259 – 319 g/kmD – D
Plug-in hybrid models78 g/kmA71 – 87 g/kmA – A
Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
Plug-in hybrid models19 milesE19 – 19 milesE – E
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models49E40 – 50C – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£616D
Year 2£1,360D
Year 3£2,059D
Year 4£2,525D
Year 5£3,228D
Overall£9,788D

Unsurprisingly, the Porsche Cayenne is a very expensive car to run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

We don’t currently have fuel consumption data, but CO2 emissions are very poor (only the petrol models are shown here as the diesels were discontinued a few years ago). The plug-in hybrid stats look good on paper, but this is largely a function of misleading EU/UK government lab tests that make every plug-in hybrid look amazing.

Battery range on the plug-in hybrid is also poor, with a claimed 19 miles meaning you won’t get very far in real-world conditions – especially if you put your foot down more than a fraction. Even if you charge it every day, you’ll still run out of charge fairly quickly.

Finally, insurance and scheduled servicing costs for the Cayenne are very high, which is to be expected from a car this expensive and powerful.

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Porsche Cayenne, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Aston Martin DBX | Audi Q7 | Audi Q8 | Bentley Bentayga | BMW X5 | BMW X6 | Lamborghini UrusMaserati Levante | Mercedes-Benz GLE | Range Rover Sport


More news, reviews and information about the Porsche Cayenne at The Car Expert

Range Rover named the UK’s most unreliable used car

Range Rover named the UK’s most unreliable used car

Porsche Cayenne Coupé E-Hybrid test drive

Porsche Cayenne Coupé E-Hybrid test drive

Porsche Cayenne gains plug-in hybrid flagship

Porsche Cayenne gains plug-in hybrid flagship

Porsche Cayenne Coupe to target BMW X6

Porsche Cayenne Coupe to target BMW X6

Six SUV pioneers that blazed the trail for today

Six SUV pioneers that blazed the trail for today

Porsche Cayenne plugs in to hybrid

Porsche Cayenne plugs in to hybrid

Porsche ditches diesel

Porsche ditches diesel

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In performance and quality the third-generation Porsche Cayenne still defines the premium SUV – just don’t buy a hybrid version.Porsche Cayenne