It’s entirely fair to say Porsche owes its very existence, let alone its phenomenal resurgence over the last couple of decades, to the Cayenne given the overwhelming global success of its SUVs.
The iconic 911 may not have survived the various worldwide crises over that period had it not been for the pragmatism and prediction of Ferry Porsche way back in 1989.
“If we build an off-road model according to our standards of quality, and it has a Porsche crest on the front, people will buy it,” he said.
In 2002 the first Cayenne rolled off the production line, bringing with it tens of thousands of new customers into the Porsche family for the first time – many of whom would later boast more than one Porsche model in the garage.
Not everyone liked what they saw in the first-generation Cayenne. It was anything but a sight for sore eyes. It got better with ensuing generations, but aesthetically it’s never been a head turner in the same way Porsche sports cars have been.
Despite my decades of allegiance to the Porsche brand as a two-time 911 owner, I’d never been a fan of the bulbous design – despite the Porsche crest – until I drove the Cayenne Turbo GT Coupe. That changed everything.
Here was a large high-rider of grand proportions, tipping the scales at more than 2.2 tonnes, and somehow possessed the dynamic deftness of a genuine Porsche GT car, but with even more pops and crackles thanks to its boisterous twin-turbo V8 sitting under that football field-size bonnet.
But with a sticker price of nearly $400,000 before on-road costs, never mind a few tasty options, it’s probably well out of reach of most executive buyers. That’s where the 2024 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe tested here starts to make perfect sense.
At nearly half the price of its Turbo GT sibling, the recently refreshed third-generation Cayenne in S Coupe guise also gets Porsche’s animated twin-turbo V8, along with class-leading ride and handling.
The Cayenne Coupe presents as a slicker package inside and out thanks to the latest lighting tech and cutting-edge screens and infotainment in a mostly all-digital play.
Along with its visibly high-tech Matrix LED headlights, three-dimensional taillights, a new front end and some very cool looking 22-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, it’s got proper Porsche-power presence despite its size and heft.
How much does the Porsche Cayenne cost?
2024 Porsche Cayenne pricing:
Cayenne
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne: $138,700
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid: $154,600
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid: $178,300
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne S: $179,500
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid: $288,400
Cayenne Coupe
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe: $146,300
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe: $160,300
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe: $185,100
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe: $188,500
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe: $297,200
- 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT: $364,700
Prices exclude on-road costs
To see how the Porsche Cayenne compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool.
What is the Porsche Cayenne like on the inside?
No matter what model Porsche you hop into, it always looks and feels impeccably solid. The Cayenne boasts sound ergonomics and the very latest infotainment thanks to Cayenne’s completely revised display and control unit called The Porsche Driver Experience.
It boasts no fewer than three high-definition screens (four if you include the standard head-up display) that extend across the entire width of the dash.
For the driver, there’s a 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster that’s endlessly configurable from Porsche’s classic five dial layout to just three. It takes a while to work it out, but it’s still relatively intuitive given the large amount of information on offer.
Moving across, there’s a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with superb colour, clarity, and response sitting next to an optional 10.9-inch display in front of the front passenger seat.
It means your better half or kids get access to performance data, as well as infotainment controls, which the driver can’t see while driving thanks to a special film applied the screen.
Thankfully there’s also a new climate control setup with a row of beautifully knurled metal toggle switches. It’s a relief not to have to find them buried in layers of touchscreen screen pages like the current Taycan.
It’s a fine example of how to blend digital and analogue elements for what is an enjoyable user experience.
There’s no more chunky gear shifter to match those trademark Cayenne leather-clad hand-grabs. Instead it’s the small Braun-shaver-like toggle that’s far more practical and wonderfully quick when manoeuvring in tight spots.
It also frees up space for up-front storage and cupholders, as well as a wireless phone charger and USB-C ports. It definitely feels spacious up front.
It’s the detail and solidity of various components that also captures your attention in Cayenne’s cabin. Even the air vents are cause for celebration – both from an industrial design perspective as well as aesthetics.
They’re rimmed by polished metal, incorporating a knurled toggle in smoked metal and bookending the dashboard. Even the vent-flap wheel is knurled and fashioned in a similar way. It’s both intricate and sturdy at the same time.
Same goes for the Porsche steering wheel fitted here. It’s beautifully sculpted and constructed with smoked metal inlays, along with plenty of functionality via scroll wheels on each side spoke. Like all Porsche tillers, the rim is the correct diameter and thickness with the right level of tactility.
Generally, there’s not a lot flair when it comes to Porsche upholstery, but our Cayenne S Coupe tester wore a combination Black with Night Green. It’s an unusual colour I normally wouldn’t choose; but in the end, I genuinely loved it – mainly because it just popped and was different to all-black norm.
Porsche’s seats are some of the best in the business. With the Cayenne S Coupe there’s more generous cushioning all round, though not at the expense of the bolsters.
They’re brilliantly ergonomic, firmly gripping your torso and limiting any lateral movements to a few millimetres even when you’re having a bit of fun.
Rear-seat passengers also get plenty of legroom, but there’s not a lot of built-in bolster back there. The rear middle seat passenger won’t want to spend too much time there either given the intrusion of the centre-console into prime leg space.
Second-row amenities include dual air-vents (centre and B-pillar), along with individual digital controls for the climate control and seat cooling. There are also two USB-C charging ports and a 12V socket.
Luggage space behind the second row seems more vast than its 565L claim, but fold them (almost flat) and load space expands to 1475L. The standard Cayenne packs 772 litres and 1702 litres, respectively.
The Cayenne S Coupe can also be electrically lowered or raised from the boot for load convenience. While underfloor storage is non-existent, there’s space-saver tyre and 12V inflation device.
What’s under the bonnet?
Powering both Porsche Cayenne S and Cayenne S Coupe variants is a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 cranking out a respectable 349kW of power at 6000rpm and 600Nm of torque from 2000rpm-5000rpm, going to all four wheels.
It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddleshifters for manual shifting with four drive modes available (Normal, Offroad, Sport and Sport Plus) via the steering wheel-mounted selector.
The Cayenne S Coupe on test can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds with launch control (which matches Cayenne S E-Hybrid variants), whereas the standard Cayenne S Wagon needs 5.0 seconds. Top speed is 273km/h.
Cayenne S variants get a 90L fuel tank and require 95 RON premium fuel. Claimed fuel consumption is 12.3L/100km but that figure can climb rapidly depending on your driving style.
For reference, to buyers looking at the entire range; faster versions include Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe (3.7s) and the range-topping Turbo GT (3.3s)
How does the Porsche Cayenne drive?
Just the start-up bark is enough to stir the soul and open the wallet. Even better when it’s a Porsche V8 sitting under the bonnet with a heightened soundtrack thanks to the quad-pipe setup out back.
There’s still a physical start button requiring a proper press, but the key-fob in the dash is gone for good. It all adds to the theatre of an exquisitely engineered V8 in your family chariot – and any excuse to run to the shops will do.
Perhaps you might select the Normal drive setting for early morning departures home early or the peak-hour crawl with its more subdued soundtrack and silky-smooth power delivery.
Otherwise Sport is the go for its combination of lively throttle response and decent pops and crackles on lift off. I found myself provoking such theatrics more often than not, especially coasting down a steep hill.
Dial it up to Sport Plus for the quickest throttle response, gear changes, and some of the best V8 roar you’re likely to have experienced in a thoroughly family-friendly SUV. It reminds me of the 928 S4 I was lucky enough to get a steer of years ago. There’s that same kind of high-tempo V8 burble, just more of it in the Cayenne S Coupe.
By all means try the beautifully fashioned polished metal paddle-shifters if you’re on a bit of a mission, but Porsche’s eight-speed auto does a sterling job of rapid upshifts and lightning quick downshifts, complete with perfectly-timed throttle blips.
It’s not stupidly quick like the Turbo GT or even the E-Hybrid Coupe, but it’s not like you’re left wanting more punch very often. It’s an endlessly flexible drivetrain capable of enthusiastic performance, with great soundtrack and the best ride/handling balance in the segment.
This is where Porsche pulls demonstrably ahead of all its rivals.
Somehow its dynamic gurus in Stuttgart have been able to engineer a suspension setup able to provide a supple low-speed ride over speed bumps, yet deliver limpet-like grip in the most demanding corners.
It’s also possible on the optional 22-inch RS Spyder Design alloys wheels, as fitted to our tester.
This is in part thanks to Porsche’s adaptive air suspension that’s standard on the Cayenne S.
While there’s a certain firmness to the suspension, there’s a level of suppleness in the rebound at the same time. Even if those lateral forces are huge in a vehicle of this size and weight, it tracks perfectly through the corner.
Cornering confidence soars if you also tick the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) box, which adds active roll stabilisation to the mix.
It’s quite remarkable how much pace you can carry through the tight stuff. Moreover, it’s a better experience for those rear-seat passengers. Equally reassuring (if not satisfying) is Cayenne S Coupe’s braking performance and pedal feel – both of which eclipse its rivals.
They’re no carbon-ceramic but they might as well be given the kind of flawless stopping power the system delivers. The front rotors measure 410mm (the Veyron we drove in 2008 had 407mm front brakes), with six-piston calipers.
It’s not just the braking itself, it’s as much about the naturally consistent pedal feel. What boggles the mind most is how Porsche is able build this into a daily-driving SUV that doesn’t cost a small fortune.
What do you get?
2024 Porsche Cayenne highlights:
- Porsche Communication Management (PCM)
- 12.3-inch HD touchscreen
- Online satellite navigation
- Multi-touch gesture control
- Porsche Connect
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 10-speaker sound system
- 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster
- Fixed glass roof (Coupe)
- Head-up display
- Automatic LED headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Four-piston front brakes and two-piston rear brakes
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Power tailgate
- Dual-zone climate control
- 360-degree cameras
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Proximity entry
- Push-button start
- Paddle shifters
- Auto stop/start
- Leather seats
- 8-way power front sports seats with driver memory
- Lane change assist
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Cayenne S adds:
- Adaptive air suspension
- 20-inch alloy wheels (Cayenne)
- 21-inch alloy wheels (Cayenne Coupe)
- Porsche Dynamic Light System incl. dynamic cornering headlights
- 14-speaker Bose premium sound system
- Heated front seats
- Panoramic roof
Options fitted to our tester:
- Special Colour – Arctic Grey: $5000
- Two-tone leather interior – smooth-finish leather, Black and Night Green: $8170
- Model designation painted in high-gloss Black: $500
- Sports exhaust with quad-tailpipes in Dark Bronze: $5970
- Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC): $6870
- Carbon Design Package: $15,340
- Heated GT Sports steering wheel: $1140
- Air quality system: $890
- Seat heating – front and rear: $910
- 22-inch RS Spyder Design wheels with wheel-arch extensions in body colour: $4520
- Porsche logo LED courtesy lights: $600
- Interior package in carbon: $2750
- Porsche crest on headrests: $950
- Sport Design exterior mirror upper trims in carbon: $3120
- Illuminated door-sill guards in carbon: $2750
- Tinted headlights: $5720
- Sport Chrono Package with Porsche Design sub-second clock: $2160
- Tinted LED taillights – incl. light strip: $2000
- Four-zone climate control: $1720
- Active lane change, intersection assist and emergency stop: $1560
- Passenger display: $2860
- Adaptive sports seats 18-way (front): $800
- Ambient lighting: $850
Additional options brought the total of our Cayenne S Coupe tester to $265,650 before on-road costs.
Is the Porsche Cayenne safe?
The 2024 Porsche Cayenne hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP, although the pre-facelift earned a five-star rating based on tests carried out by Euro NCAP in 2017.
Standard safety features include:
- Warn and brake assist (AEB)
- Vehicle-to-vehicle
- Pedestrian detection
- Cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control incl. stop/go
- Emergency Assist
- Lane keep assist incl. centring
- Lane Change Assist (blind spot)
How much does the Porsche Cayenne cost to run?
Porsche continues to offer a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia, despite most luxury rivals having moved to five years of coverage.
Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
Service costs vary from state-to-state with different labour costs, so it’s best to ask your closest Porsche dealership for details.
CarExpert’s Take on the Porsche Cayenne
While it doesn’t quite cut the same exquisite visual aesthetic of the latest Range Rover Sport, the 2024 Cayenne is by far and away the most handsome execution of the model yet.
It boasts high-tech lighting and a cleaner look all-round for broader appeal.
Inside, it’s even better with cutting-edge infotainment and some of the best seats in the business. The driving position itself simply perfect and exactly what you expect of a Porsche SUV.
Dynamically it’s the Cayenne that remains the clear benchmark in the segment, offering superior ride and handling balance. This is while having outstanding comfort to boot with all the practicality and space of a large family hauler in the luxury class.
Moreover, it wears a Porsche crest on the bonnet and that counts for a great deal no matter what the segment might be.
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