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Classic Car Reviews: Oldsmobiles Jetfire2023 Porsche Cayenne: Definitive Super SUV
What do our experts think of the 2023 Porsche Cayenne? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 Porsche Cayenne?
Porsche hasn’t changed much for the 2023 Cayenne after it got a few updates for 2022. The only change we could find is that Jet Black is no longer a paint option. Thankfully, it’s been replaced with Chromite Black.
Now in its third generation, the athletic SUV continues to set the bar for just how fun an SUV can be to drive on twisty roads. In addition, it’s fully equipped with a full slate of technological improvements over the previous generation including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and even available night vision.
2023 Porsche Cayenne – porsche.com | Shop 2023 Porsche Cayenne on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Great engines
Excellent handling
Fast infotainment system
Extremely expensive top end
Lacking safety features
Redundant Coupe version
Still the ultimate sporty SUV
2023 Porsche Specs
- 335 horsepower from base engine
- 332 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 10 available trims
- 26.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 60.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Optional night-vision camera
- One year or 10,000 miles of free maintenance
2023 Porsche Cayenne Powertrain
Porsche offers not one, not two, not three, but seven different turbocharged engines in the Cayenne starting off with a 3.0-liter V6 that develops 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Above that is a 455 hp version of the same engine with 516 lb-ft of torque. It achieves those figures through a plug-in hybrid system.
The S trim level gets a 2.9-liter V6 with 434 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque but no electrification. Above that is the GTS, again, without electrification but thanks to the twin-turbocharged V8 under the hood it makes 453 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque.
The Turbo trim of the Cayenne uses that same V8 but now pumps out 541 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque while the Turbo S E-Hybrid adds electrification to make 670 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque. Those who go for the Cayenne Coupe can get a 631 hp version of the V8 that ditches the battery and electric motor.
That’s a lot of different power curves but one thing is the same with every Cayenne; they handle great. In fact, as the SUV that sort of pioneered sporty driving in a vehicle this size, we’d say that Porsche still sets the bar for what an SUV of this type should be. That’s one reason that the original Cayenne was on our list of cars that are soon to appreciate in value.
Feedback from the wheel and pedals is great in stock form but Porsche will also sell a speed-sensitive version of the steering rack that dials up the feeling even more. In addition, the active suspension components make this heavy SUV feel much smaller and lighter than it has any right to. We can’t think of a more well-rounded performer in this space. Notably, all engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
2023 Porsche Cayenne Fuel Economy & MPG
As a large, heavy, and powerful SUV, fuel economy isn’t really the main focus of the Cayenne. Nevertheless, it’s not as thirsty as its athletic nature might have you believe. The worst offender is the Turbo GT with its EPA-estimated 14 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway.
The best non-hybrid is the 3.0-liter V6 which scores 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. The plug-in E-Hybrid can get up to 42 MPGe combined and go up to 17 miles on battery power alone.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Perhaps no other SUV manages to offer the kind of seating position that the Cayenne does. The seat and steering wheel can be positioned similarly to the way one would drive a sports car or move into a more relaxed SUV-centric position.
Headroom and legroom are generous in both rows and we love the option to add heated seats all around. Entry and exit is a tinge more challenging on the slope-roofed Coupe version and it’s worth noting that you’ll lose the middle seat too. Still, we can see the appeal for the one-percenters out there who buy one.
Cargo space behind the second row is pretty good at about 27 cubic feet. That’s more than enough to haul the family around for a weekend trip somewhere. The rear seats fold forward to reveal up to 60 cubic feet when storage is the paramount concern.
Entertainment & Technology
Across the entire Cayenne range, you’ll find a 12.3-inch infotainment system at the heart of the car. It’s very fast, very easy to navigate, and offers some of the most attractive graphics in the game. At the same time, it’s not as deep in terms of features as some might have grown accustomed to on other platforms.
Porsche offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity along with an onboard hotspot and integrated navigation so we think it’s a solid all-around package. In addition, there are two upgrades to the sound system. One from Bose and another from Burmester. Each is better than the stock suite.
Safety Features
Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has released any safety data about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne as of this writing. On top of that we have to say that the lack of standard advanced driver aids on the Cayenne is a bit pathetic in our eyes. A base price of $72,200 gets buyers parking sensors and forward collision mitigation only.
Base model buyers must pay an extra $6,250 to get features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. It’s noteworthy that these important safety features are standard on a number of models across the country from Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, and other brands. Porsche can afford to do better and they should do better.
2023 Porsche Cayenne Trims & Pricing
The Cayenne comes as either a four-seat Coupe (with four doors) or a five-seat SUV. Every trim is available as a “Coupe” while all trims but the Turbo GT are available as an SUV. Features are the same from body style to body style inside of the same trim.
Cayenne – $72,200
Starting out, the Cayenne comes with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a mix of real and faux leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, quad-zone climate control, a 12.4-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 10 speakers, four USB-C power ports, ambient interior lighting, integrated navigation, and a power liftgate. Safety tech includes forward collision mitigation and parking sensors.
Buyers also have the option of adding special packages that include more technology. For example, two different sound system packages are available as is a rear-seat entertainment system and a full driver-aid system.
Platinum – $80,400
Step up to the Platinum and you’ll get 21-inch wheels, upgraded headlights, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, heated front sport seats, and a Bose audio system.
E-Hybrid – $86,500
The base plug-in hybrid gets a 455 hp hybridized version of the 3.0-liter V6 along with adaptive suspension dampers and additional drive modes but loses the extra equipment from the Platinum.
S – $90,900
The S trim level dials up the performance with a 434 hp V6, 19-inch wheels, and speed-sensitive steering. It also adds the panoramic sunroof from the Platinum trim level.
E-Hybrid Platinum – $94,400
This trim level combines the luxury features of the Platinum model with the plug-in powertrain from the base E-Hybrid.
S Platinum – $95,100
Combine the S trim level’s performance goodies with the luxury equipment from the Platinum and you get the S Platinum.
GTS – $113,100
Taking another step towards athleticism is the GTS with its air suspension, sport exhaust system, 21-inch wheels, torque vectoring, full leather upholstery, and sport seats. In addition, it’s the cheapest trim with a standard V8 engine. This one happens to be turbocharged and develops 453 hp.
Turbo – $135,900
Consider this trim as the closest thing to an entry-level super SUV that you can get with the Cayenne. It uses the same engine as the GTS but makes 541 hp. It also gets bigger brakes, more front seat adjustments, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system.
Turbo S E-Hybrid – $171,300
The base hybrid V8 version of the Cayenne makes 670 hp and includes Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control.
Turbo GT – $188,700
This is the ultimate form of the non-electrified V8 in the Cayenne and it develops 631 hp while riding on 22-inch wheels. Keep in mind that it’s only available as a four-seat coupe.
Warranties
Every Cayenne comes with the same four-year or 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage. Porsche also covers the first year or 10,000 miles of complimentary maintenance too. That’s a decent package but falls short of what rivals like BMW offer.
What we think
2023 Porsche Cayenne – porsche.com | Shop 2023 Porsche Cayenne on Carsforsale.com
The Cayenne is the definitive super SUV for the masses. It features many of the same underpinnings as the Lamborghini Urus yet costs a lot less and slips under the radar in a way that an SUV like the Urus can’t.
In fact, that subtle class makes the lower-priced Cayenne trims all the more desirable since they’re still part of the club. It’s one of our favorite SUVs, including hybrids, despite being wildly expensive at the top end. On a positive note, used Cayennes are pretty affordable.
