Publications
Partners
- Porsche has upgraded its 2019 Cayenne. The SUV now pushes out 260kW from the 3.0-litre V6 entry-level model.
- The range-topping Cayenne Turbo GT makes 485kW from its 4.0-litre V8 engine. The range also has innovative new tech and features.
- Local pricing starts from R1 848 000 up to R4 128 000.
With a focus on enhancing both on-road and off-road capability and comfort, Porsche seeks to improve upon what was already implemented so well with previous iterations of the Cayenne.
For now, the Cayenne is the largest SUV from Porsche, at least until we see the introduction of their new three-row SUV.
Rather than being an entirely new vehicle, the 2023 Cayenne is more of a well-executed refresh of the 2019 model. The focus has been on refining and improving the current formula. With a welcome array of new features and a rather dashing new design, the 2023 Cayenne is looking to be a top contender in the luxury SUV segment.
More-than-modest improvement
Porsche claims the new Cayenne will see improvements in both luxury and performance, with upgrades to the powertrain, chassis, overall design and equipment across the range.
"It's one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of Porsche," explains Michael Schätzle, the vice president of the Cayenne's product line.
A lot to be excited for – and a little that may have purists concerned.
READ | Review: Cayenne Turbo GT is more hyper car than SUV, and it's scintillating at full tilt
Porsche is a brand that ensures its heritage is celebrated across the line-up. A 2023 911 is easily comparable to its 1963 counterpart, interior design and layout follow a universal language, and every internal combustion Porsche model has included a centre-positioned analogue tachometer behind the steering wheel.
After intense discussion and much consideration, Porsche has decided to ditch their analogue tachometer in the new Cayenne and replace it with a rather appealing curved 12.6-inch instrument cluster, a decision we think makes sense when looking at competitor offerings.
To keep the SUV as driver-centric as possible, Porsche has decided to group the most important controls on the steering wheel, with other more frequently used controls accessible in analogue format via the centre console. Owners can now opt for a 10.9-inch passenger display, ensuring your co-driver is kept entertained with their favourite shows on longer journeys.
Overall, a considerable step up in interior design, more than enough to keep competitors on their toes.
Comfort and Performance
Regardless of your variant, the Cayenne comes standard from the factory with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) and steel spring suspension. The average commuter will enjoy significantly enhanced low-speed comfort with improved shock absorbers, including two-valve technology. The enthusiast, on the other hand, will get to experience greater handling ability with an improvement in pitch and roll support.
Naturally, drivers can still opt for air suspension to soften the ride and allow for better stabilisation both on the tarmac and on the dirt and rocks. Based on preference, drivers can choose between three suspension modes: Normal, Sport and Sport Plus, and Porsche claims you'll be able to feel a more significant difference between these modes than ever before.
A familiar face, improved
The new design is still undeniably Cayenne, but further extenuates the vehicle's lines and offers a more muscular look. At the front end, Porsche has redesigned the bonnet while improving the arches with a more stand-out design. Paired with the new headlights, this updated face creates a more expansive façade, thus perpetuating a design of sportiness to complement the Cayenne's new performance abilities.
At the rear, the Cayenne retained its unibrow taillights, improving upon the design with a three-dimensional appearance. In the hopes of cleaning up and modernising the design, Porsche has smoothed out the surfaces below the rear apron and repositioned the number plate holder below the boot lid.
New and unique features
Porsche is no stranger to innovation. Their fleet includes cars with huge technological feats, such as their naturally aspirated flat-6, which has become a staple in the performance car industry. The 2023 Cayenne lives up to expectations, including the prior interior and suspension improvements and entirely new innovations to grace the pinnacle of Porsche luxury.
Starting with the new and improved lighting, the 2024 Cayenne can be kitted with the latest HD Matrix LED Headlights, boasting a pixel count of 32 000 per headlight, allowing the car always to have the high beams active while blocking the light from dazzling other drivers on the road. The high pixel count will allow for incredible accuracy, ensuring your night driving is as clear as day. According to Porsche, the system also allows for customisable modes to increase safety and comfort.
Another innovative feature to grace the Cayenne is an air quality system that uses navigation to detect upcoming tunnels and will control the recirculation accordingly. If you check the box, you can option your new Cayenne with a sensor to detect fine dust getting into the system and pass it through the necessary filter, as well as an ioniser to ensure your air is germ and pollutant free.
The 2024 Cayenne line-up
Starting at the bottom of the line-up, we have the standard Porsche Cayenne with a greatly capable 3.0-litre V6 producing 260kW.
Looking for a bit more power? The Cayenne S might be more your style. Porsche has replaced the previously used V6 with a refined 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine capable of producing 349kW, a much more fitting engine to live up to the S nameplate.
Looking into the future, the new Cayenne will also be offered with a hybrid powertrain. At the front, you'll find that same V6 as in the base Cayenne, but with the assistance of a single electric motor producing a further 130 kW. The Cayenne E-hybrid produces a total power figure of 346kW while still being able to travel 90km on electric power only. Unfortunately, there seems to be no sign of a GTS model this time, but we can attribute that to the Cayenne S now housing the 4.0-litre V8. All of the above models are offered in the standard Cayenne guise or as a Coupé.
Now, for the star of the show, the range-topping Cayenne Turbo GT will also receive an update in 2023. The GT is Porsche's way of proving just how fast and capable they can make their SUVs, and this new model will see a power bump of 14kW, bringing the total up to a whopping 485kW.
The previous Cayenne GT had journalists worldwide claiming it was faster than its not-too-distant cousin, the Lamborghini Urus, leading the world to think that Porsche was being just a bit too modest when announcing their performance figures. The new GT has a claimed 0-100km/h time of just 3.3 seconds, and we can't wait to see what times we actually manage once the car is released. The Cayenne GT is the ultimate in super SUVs and is available exclusively in the Coupé styling.
Models and base pricing (inclusive of a three-year Driveplan) for the South African market are as follows:
Cayenne - R1 848 000
Cayenne E-Hybrid - R2 194 000
Cayenne S - R2 125 000
Cayenne Coupé - R1 933 000
Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupé - R2 259 000
Cayenne S Coupé - R2 232 000
Cayenne Turbo GT - R4 128 000
