2021 Porsche Cayenne Review

　　

2021 Porsche Cayenne Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　If you want a midsize luxury SUV that makes you grin every time you slip behind the wheel, your best bet is the 2021 Porsche Cayenne. With handling that's as dynamic as a Cirque du Soleil performer and a range of available engines that starts out at 335 horsepower and ends at 670 hp with the Turbo S E-Hybrid, the Cayenne deftly combines all-wheel-drive sports car performance with SUV utility.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$227/mo  for Cayenne Base

　　Cayenne Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $67,500 MSRPE-Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $81,800 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $85,100 MSRPGTS 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $107,300 MSRPTurbo 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $127,800 MSRPTurbo S E-Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $163,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　This year's new addition is the Cayenne GTS. It uses a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 — the same engine found in the Turbo and Turbo S E-Hybrid models — but at a less potent tune. With 453 horsepower, the GTS slots between the Cayenne S (434 hp) and the Turbo (541 hp). The GTS also comes with a few extra performance-oriented features as standard equipment.

　　As you'd likely expect, the Cayenne is a Porsche first and an SUV second. Want acres of space? Maybe a Cadillac Escalade is more your thing. Value? Err, try the Genesis dealership next door. But few other SUVs drive as well as this one. Want to know more? Check out our Expert Rating below for our in-depth evaluation.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Cayenne drive? You don't expect a large SUV to feel so quick. But when it wears a Porsche badge, it's expected. Even the base Cayenne unspools steady streams of power from any double-digit speed. We tested the Cayenne with the V6, and 0-60 mph takes just 5.3 seconds, which is impressive for a big SUV that tips the scales at 4,700 pounds. The transmission is well calibrated, but the brake pedal stroke is a little longer than expected for a Porsche.

　　Handling is superb. Our tester — with 21-inch wheels, PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) and the Sport Chrono package — produces seemingly endless amounts of grip in curves. The steering is a little heavier than an SUV requires but certainly plays into the Cayenne's sporting pretensions.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Cayenne? Porsche's secret sauce for combining athletic and confident handling with a firm and cushy luxury ride quality is on full display in the Cayenne. The ride quality from the PASM/air suspension combo is firm but comfortable — a Porsche hallmark.

　　The standard seats stay comfortable over long distances for a range of body types, though drivers pushing it through corners might want for additional lateral bolstering. Some exterior noise seeps in, but smaller-diameter tires and optional noise-insulated glass might reduce it.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? A broad range of driving positions and roomy quarters allow the Cayenne to feel either like a proper sports car — such as a 911 — or a more conventional SUV. Though it has the same number of seats as the smaller Macan, the increased wheelbase provides plenty of room for all passengers. It's easy to slide in and out of.

　　The cockpit controls have a quality feel to them, with knurled dials and rocker switches. Unfortunately, some are placed awkwardly and tightly in front of the gear selector, but these are redundant since most are found on the steering wheel.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The redesigned infotainment is a highlight of this new Cayenne, and the wide touchscreen is the centerpiece. It features one of the best interfaces in the class, with easy, intuitive use and deep configurability. Keep microfiber towels handy, though, because the screen smudges easily. The base sound system is fine, but serious audiophiles will want the optional Bose or Burmester upgrade.

　　The system isn't comprehensive, however. Android Auto is not available, and voice recognition doesn't offer much in the way of natural speech detection. Porsche's business model stands on the shoulders of its extensive options list, but some basic driver assistance features should be standard.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Cayenne offers real daily usefulness, though it has less interior storage than many competitors. With the 40/20/40-split rear seats folded, there's just 60.3 cubic feet of cargo storage — less than some compact crossovers — but the shape is useful. Plus, you can opt for an (admittedly expensive) air suspension that lowers the rear for easing cargo in.

　　You'll find a few cubbies throughout the cabin, but none are especially roomy. While there's not much interior space for diaper bags and other baby gear, you'll be able to fit child seats without a problem thanks to easily accessed Isofix anchors. If your toys are the kind you haul around, the Cayenne can tow more than 7,000 pounds when properly equipped.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The base Cayenne is rated at 21 mpg combined (19 city/23 highway). We were able to mostly duplicate that number in a week's worth of testing miles that featured a combination of city traffic and urban freeway driving.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Cayenne a good value? It's hard to qualify the Cayenne as a great value, especially when many rivals offer a similar luxury experience for less. But even when you're not exploring the Cayenne's unrivaled performance limits, the top-notch build quality justifies the cost. Even at this price, there are competitors — such as the Land Rover Range Rover Sport and the Maserati Levante — that just aren't as well rounded.

　　Once you plunk down money at the dealership, it'll be a while before you have to shell out for unforeseen costs. The Cayenne's basic and powertrain warranties, along with roadside assistance, are good for four years/50,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　Is it an SUV with a sports-car complex? Or a sports car built with the utility of an SUV? With the Cayenne, it doesn't matter. It goes fast and handles like a lower and smaller car, plus it can still act as an adventure getaway vehicle — a true best-of-both-worlds proposition.

　　

Which Cayenne does zzdcar recommend?

It's easy to get lured into lusting over the mind-bending performance of the higher Cayenne trims, but the S trim is our choice for getting an affordable upgrade over the base Cayenne with its own unique flavor. Upgraded power, brakes and handling make it legitimately fun to drive. We would also add the Premium package to include extra safety and convenience features to round out the experience.

　　

2021 Porsche Cayenne models

The Porsche Cayenne is a midsize SUV available in six trims: Base, E-Hybrid, S, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S E-Hybrid. All models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

　　Base

　　The entry-level Cayenne comes reasonably well equipped with features such as:

　　Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (335 horsepower, 332 lb-ft of torque) 19-inch wheels LED headlights 12.4-inch touchscreen Navigation system Wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility Four USB-C ports Dual-zone automatic climate control Partial leather upholstery Power-adjustable front seats Ambient lighting 10-speaker sound system Power liftgate Front and rear parking sensors Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)E-Hybrid

　　A plug-in hybrid version of the Cayenne that adds onto the base model with:

　　Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and electric motor (455 total hp, 516 lb-ft) Plug-in hybrid capability with 14 miles of all-electric range Adaptive suspension dampers (Porsche Active Suspension Management, or PASM) Sport Chrono package with Sport Plus drive mode and additional performance menusS

　　A sportier version of the base model with:

　　Turbocharged 2.9-liter six-cylinder engine (434 hp, 405 lb-ft) Power Steering Plus package with speed-sensitive steering response Panoramic sunroofGTS

　　New for 2021, the Cayenne GTS emphasizes performance with:

　　Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (453 hp, 457 lb-ft) 21-inch wheels Air suspension with PASM Sport seats Adaptive rear spoiler Sport exhaust system Torque vectoring for improved traction and handling Sport Design package with black exterior trim piecesTurbo

　　The Cayenne Turbo loads you up with:

　　Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (541 hp, 567 lb-ft) Adaptive LED headlights Air suspension with PASM Upgraded brakes Power-adjustable steering wheel Leather upholstery Heated front and rear seats Faux suede headliner 14-speaker Bose surround-sound systemTurbo S E-Hybrid

　　The top-line trim adds plug-in range to the turbocharged V8:

　　Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine and electric motor (670 hp, 663 lb-ft) Plug-in hybrid capability with 12 miles of electric range Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) anti-roll system for improved corneringMany features on the upper Cayenne trims are available on the lower trims as options. Porsche also offers a wide range of additional packages and options to allow you to further customize your Cayenne. Notable features among them include:

　　Various interior and exterior color and material trim choices Rear steering (enhances steering response and nimbleness) 21-speaker Burmester sound system Ventilated front seats Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Cayenne and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the Cayenne back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Cayenne and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

　　

2021 Cayenne Highlights

Type: SUVPlug-in HybridSUV

　　Trim: BaseE-HybridSGTSTurboTurbo S E-HybridBase

　　

Base MSRP	$67,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$227/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles