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
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric hybrid E-Hybrid Coupé
“The Porsche Cayenne Coupé is a stunning car to look at. The E-Hybrid itself is a mixed bag, though. The increased weight of the batteries numbs the driving experience somewhat, and while still impressing, driven back-to-back with a regular Cayenne Coupé you’ll soon feel the difference.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Cayenne Coupé Turbo E-Hybrid with GT Package
Score: 8 / 10
“What was previously the peak of the Porsche Cayenne range is still an undoubtedly impressive machine, but it’s also one that has lost its edge. Few cars at any price will deliver the performance and roadholding on show here, but the addition of a plug-in hybrid powertrain takes away from the experience more than it adds for the keen driver. If you want the sharpest Cayenne on sale, save yourself more than £50k and buy the GTS instead.”
Author: Alex Ingram
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Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“After a sporty, premium large SUV? The Porsche Cayenne should fit the bill. It’s engaging to drive, offers impressive levels of comfort and refinement, plus its excellent build quality only adds to the upmarket feel. Throw in the kudos of the Porsche badge, and you have a prestige set of wheels that covers every base – including being able to put your family in it.”
Author: Max Adams, John McIlroy
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Model reviewed: E-Hybrid (2023 facelift)
Score: 9 / 10
“With more electric range than its predecessor, solid but not stunning performance, greater comfort and yet also a sportier, more engaging drive, the latest Cayenne E-Hybrid should continue the nameplate’s legacy as a Porsche best-seller.”
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Model reviewed: Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe 2021
Score: 7 / 10
“As polished as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe is, the standard Cayennes are even sharper to drive, and those who care about the clean air or financial benefits of a PHEV are unlikely to be the same people willing to sink £125,000-plus into one of the fastest large SUVs on the market.”
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Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic GTS Coupé
Score: 9 / 10
“A huge SUV may seem an odd thing to recommend these days, but if you’re in the market for a non-electrified Porsche Cayenne, this is the one we’d go for. It has that great duality that you find in the best performance SUVs, being able to perform as a comfortable cruiser and an entertainer.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic V6 Coupe
Score: 6 / 10
“The base-spec Porsche Cayenne Coupe lacks character in a way the top-spec Turbo does not. It gets the same luxurious cabin, refined ride and sharp steering, but it feels heavy and short on sparkle. The Turbo offers a sense of occasion that cars such as this simply can’t do without.”
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Model reviewed: Coupe 4.0 V8 Turbo
Score: 8 / 10
“It remains one of the sharpest SUVs on sale, and now comes in a package some customers will find impossible to resist.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Porsche Cayenne has always been the car every manufacturer of large, luxury SUVs has tried to emulate. Lighter, leaner and faster, with a posher cabin that’s been stuffed with the latest driving, safety, and infotainment tech, the latest model has simply blown the opposition clean out of the water.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Turbo S E-Hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The V8 is good for 542bhp, the battery 14.1kWh and the e-motor 128bhp, giving an unholy combined output of 670bhp and 664lb ft.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Porsche Cayenne offers the brand’s expected driving appeal, packaged as a practical, comfortable SUV.”
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Model reviewed: Coupé range
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is more stylish than the standard car but slightly less practical too.”
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Model reviewed: E-Hybrid SUV
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid is almost the perfect package for luxury SUV buyers who want performance as well as space, practicality and reasonable economy”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Coupé range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is fantastic to drive, has a high-quality interior and a surprising amount of space and practicality. A standard Cayenne is cheaper and even more spacious, though.”
Read review
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Porsche Cayenne offers powerful engines, keen handling and spacious, luxurious cabin. It’s five-seat only, though, you can’t have a diesel engine and Android Auto doesn’t feature.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8.4 / 10
“With significantly enhanced performance and increased electric range, Porsche’s new hybrid Cayenne is no longer a compromise.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: 2.9-litre petrol automatic Cayenne S SUV
“On the road, the Porsche Cayenne S handles beautifully, especially when you slip it into sport mode, one of three options available, and adjust the suspension. There’s surprisingly little wallowing on corners and occupants as well protected from road, wind and engine noise intrusion.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“The third-generation Porsche Cayenne has the goods as an SUV, but talent is not spread evenly across the range.” (Jordan Katsianis)
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Model reviewed: Turbo S E-Hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid combines both the 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine from the current Turbo model with a small electric motor and battery pack to create the most powerful Cayenne yet.”
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Model reviewed: Coupe range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Two-ton ‘coupe’ SUVs are difficult to like, but there’s little faulting the Cayenne Coupe’s performance or dynamics.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Coupé range
Score: 10 / 10
“The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is great to drive and has a beautiful interior.”
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Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Cayenne is arguably a bit too big for Britain’s congested city streets and narrow country lanes, but this hasn’t stopped it from being a huge success for Porsche. It helps that it’s brilliant to drive.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic Turbo GT
Score: 8 / 10
“The ultimate Porsche Cayenne and the fastest SUV around the Nurburgring, the new Turbo GT puts even the Lamborghini Urus in its place.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Coupé range
Score: 8.6 / 10
“One of the more successful coupe-shaped SUVs”
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Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Third-generation Porsche Cayenne SUV moves the game on”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: E-Hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The ‘everything’ eco-Porsche … just don’t expect the taxman to care”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Turbo GT
Score: 8 / 10
“If all you’re ever going to do is mooch around town, you might as well save your money and buy a normal Cayenne. But as these hyper-luxury performance SUVs go, the Turbo GT is one of the best.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol V6 automatic
Score: 6 / 10
“If you like this sort of thing, you’ll love the Porsche Cayenne Coupé. It does a better job of being a sports car and an SUV at the same time than any of its rivals – though it still does neither job as well as a dedicated example of each type of car, of course.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Turbo S E-Hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“A mass of contradictions, the Turbo S E-Hybrid powers its way to the top of the Cayenne range with plug-in power, yet its towering performance robs it of some poise. There are more sensible options available, but sense rarely drives purchases like this, even ones where there’s a plug involved.”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic Cayenne S
Score: 8 / 10
“What at first glance seems a subtle makeover for Porsche’s big SUV turns out to be a comprehensive revisit to the concept, with tangible improvements in terms of interior quality and refinement.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Porsche Cayenne remains the king of driver-friendly SUVs. A very complete machine.”
Read review
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
Total claims: 224
Average repair cost: £878.04
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
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 output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 283 g/km | D | 259 – 319 g/km | D – D |
Plug-in hybrid models | 78 g/km | A | 71 – 87 g/km | A – A |
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 19 miles | E | 19 – 19 miles | E – E |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 49 | E | 40 – 50 | C – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £616 | D |
Year 2 | £1,360 | D |
Year 3 | £2,059 | D |
Year 4 | £2,525 | D |
Year 5 | £3,228 | D |
Overall | £9,788 | D |
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 Urus | Maserati Levante | Mercedes-Benz GLE | Range Rover Sport
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Porsche Cayenne at The Car Expert
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