I’ve by no means actually understood why some Porsche followers look down on the Cayenne. Positive, at first, it was an enormous departure for the sports activities automotive maker, however the Cayenne has all the time been a brilliant succesful and technically sensible journey. Quick ahead 20 years, and it’s higher than it’s ever been.
Porsche wished me to drive the 2024 Cayenne so badly that it requested me to drive to the west facet of LA throughout rush hour. Porsche additionally purchased me lunch. I had a grilled cheese.
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On paper, the 2024 Porsche Cayenne is only a refresh, however in observe, it brings a whole lot of new adjustments, arguably the most important of which is the return of a V8 engine within the Cayenne S. Yeah, it’s the identical 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that the model has been utilizing for some time now, however with an output of 468 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, it feels much more premium than the outgoing 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, regardless of solely providing a further 34 hp and 37 lb-ft.
The opposite trim ranges profit from some drivetrain tweaks, too. For instance, the E-Hybrid will get a much bigger battery, leading to extra electrical vary, and sees an influence bump to 463 hp, a rise of 8 hp. The range-topping Turbo GT now provides 650 hp as an alternative of 639 hp, making the Lamborghini Urus much more irrelevant in any sensible sense. Even the bottom Cayenne will get extra energy this yr, with its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 making 348 hp and 368 lb-ft.
The Cayenne’s elective air suspension additionally will get an overhaul, which now makes use of twin chambers and twin valves to enhance journey high quality. Behind the wheel of a Turbo GT, it’s straightforward to neglect the Cayenne is in its Sport Plus chassis setting as a result of the journey is so clean. The usual suspension is your typical steel-spring affair, however Porsche’s Energetic Suspension Administration system is now customary tools.
Regardless of the mannequin, the Cayenne’s general driving expertise is great. The highway manners are wonderful and the electrically assisted steering is well-weighted and intensely correct. (Porsche’s determination to carry the 911’s steering wheel over to the Cayenne can also be an awesome one.) Braking is nice, with the carbon ceramics on the Turbo GT and the metal models on the Cayenne S providing stable stopping energy.
In each the Cayenne S and Turbo GT, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is a complete sweetheart and sounds nice by means of the game exhaust system. The Turbo GT is actually spicier, as you’d count on with its further 182 hp, however I actually can’t consider a purpose to purchase it over the S apart from bragging rights. The S feels lots fast due to available torque and a sensible eight-speed computerized gearbox. It actually seems to be the candy spot within the vary.
It’s What’s Inside That Counts
The inside of the 2024 Cayenne additionally sees enormous adjustments, but it surely isn’t good. The general structure is nice, with as much as three screens spanning the sprint in case you go for the tremendous cool passenger show, however the determination by Porsche to not hood or in any other case cowl the instrument display makes it feel and look a bit of unfinished. That stated, I by no means had a difficulty with seeing the display in direct daylight. Sadly, irrespective of the place I place the steering wheel, it all the time appears to obscure a part of the gauge show – identical to in a 911.
One other notable change contains shifting the shifter to the sprint, like within the Taycan. It’s a bodily toggle-type change, and shifting the shifter frees up the middle console, which is a plus. Porsche additionally opted to maintain a very powerful local weather capabilities as guide switches. There are nonetheless haptic suggestions digital buttons, however they’re straightforward to make use of, even in case you’re not them, and in the event that they maintain you from having to dig by means of menus, then I’m tremendous with that. Porsche additionally gave the Cayenne an engine begin button for the primary time, which is neat, as is the truth that it’s nonetheless mounted to the left of the steering wheel.
So far as ergonomics go, they’re nice. I’ve no situation discovering a snug place in both the driving force or passenger seats, and headroom in each the back and front is great. The cargo room is nice, too, with the SUV providing 27.2 cubic toes of area with all of the seats up. The sleeker Cayenne Coupe sacrifices a few of that baggage space due to its sloping rear hatch, however not sufficient to be a deal-breaker. (Porsche doesn’t but have an official Coupe cargo spec.)
Tech Speak
Electronics are one other one of many Cayenne’s robust factors. Porsche’s infotainment system stays straightforward to make use of, responsive and provides wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The elective Burmester premium audio system is mostly fairly good, but it surely does sting a bit of to know that the Burmester-branded programs in Mercedes-Benz merchandise sound simply that a lot sweeter. The passenger show I discussed earlier mirrors the middle infotainment display, however with an energetic mobile connection, whoever’s driving shotgun can stream movies, and because of a specifically polarized coating on the display, the driving force can’t see something.
The 2024 Cayenne will be had with a whole lot of energetic security tech, however as is typical for the model, Porsche makes you pay individually for a lot of the good things. For instance, adaptive cruise management is a $1,420 possibility. If you’d like Porsche’s super-smart InnoDrive system, which takes adaptive cruise to the following degree by including energetic lane retaining, that’ll be $2,750. Different helpful options like a 360-degree digital camera and parking help are additionally further, however value ticking on a construct sheet.
There Is No Substitute
A 2024 Cayenne begins at $80,850 together with vacation spot, which is a $7,200 soar from the 2023 mannequin, however at the least you get some further customary tools, just like the aforementioned PASM, LED headlights, 20-inch wheels, lane-change help, lane-keep help, keyless entry and an air-conditioned 15-watt wi-fi charging pad. Coupe fashions begin at $85,950, however type prices further, I suppose.
As earlier than, the Cayenne competes with the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Cayenne and Q7 really share a platform, however the Audi is offered with three rows of seats and it’s acquired a beginning worth that’s proper round $20,000 cheaper. The BMW is probably the most comparable in worth and efficiency, however the Cayenne is arguably the higher driver and has a nicer inside. A base GLE is cheaper than the Cayenne by barely greater than $20,000 and has a really comparable inside, however the Cayenne has the stronger drivetrain. The Land Rover Vary Rover Sport technically competes with the Cayenne, as properly, but it surely’s much less highly effective in base kind, costlier with a beginning worth of $84,470 and has a significantly worse infotainment system.
Regardless of in case you go for a base Cayenne, S, E-Hybrid or Turbo GT, Porsche’s up to date SUV actually appears like the most effective luxurious efficiency SUV on sale as we speak. Past being a stellar all-rounder, it’s additionally a superb Porsche. All you nay-sayers actually should shut up and drive one.
