PorscheCayenne

　　

2023 Porsche Cayenne Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　Few vehicles on the road today offer quite as much variety as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne. The third generation of Porsche's largest SUV is available with a wide array of powertrains and a seemingly endless number of options that allow you to tailor the SUV to your heart's delight. Combine that with rock-solid build quality, sharp handling, a well-appointed and spacious interior, and lots of available tech and driver aids and you have one compelling — albeit pricey — SUV.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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

　　$245/mo  for Cayenne Base

　　Cayenne Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $72,200 MSRPPlatinum Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $80,400 MSRPE-Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $86,500 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $90,900 MSRPE-Hybrid Platinum Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $94,400 MSRPS Platinum Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $95,100 MSRPGTS 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $113,100 MSRPTurbo 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $135,900 MSRPTurbo S E-Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $171,300 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　We thought that Porsche might have an update in store for the Cayenne this year, but that doesn't seem to be the case as there are no significant changes for 2023. That said, given spy photos of camouflaged cars testing on public roads, an update might be in store for next year.

　　The Cayenne has competition from just about every luxury automaker around these days. Some of zzdcar' favorites include the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5 as well as more recent additions to the class such as the Audi Q8 and Genesis GV80. There's hardly a bad vehicle among the bunch, with some offering better luxury appointments or improved in-car tech relative to the Porsche. That said, no one can touch it in terms of performance and feel. If you're looking for a luxury SUV that won't leave you feeling bored, it's hard to do better than the 2023 Cayenne. Check out our test team's Expert Rating for a complete evaluation of this Porsche's performance, utility and more.

　　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 base V6, and 0-60 mph takes just 5.3 seconds, which is impressive for an 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 test vehicle — with 21-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension 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 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below