Used 2019 Porsche Cayenne Base SUV Review

The 2019 Porsche Cayenne has been redesigned from front to back and now bears more of a resemblance to the 911 than ever before. Power from every available engine has been increased and there's a new Cayenne E-Hybrid, which replaces last year's S E-Hybrid. Porsche has also managed to make the Cayenne weigh less than the previous year.

Inside, the Cayenne sees an updated interior, complete with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for control over most of the SUV's systems. It's very similar to the one found in the current Panamera. The instrument panel, too, has been updated with two 7-inch multifunction digital displays. The cargo area has been made larger for 2019, too.

Of course, Porsche still provides a myriad of personalization options for every Cayenne. Combinations can seem almost endless and include a wide variety of colors, wheels, interior materials and performance-related upgrades. But all of these options can send the price straight into orbit.

As well-rounded as the Porsche Cayenne may be, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind. We consider the rear seat and cargo area to be adequate, but other SUVs in the class offer more room. And some features, which are standard on competitors, are pricey options on the Cayenne. But we've always been fans of the Porsche Cayenne, and with the improvements Porsche has made to the 2019 model, we see no reason to change our opinion.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Porsche Carenne as one of Edmunds' Best Luxury SUVs for this year.

For more background on the new Cayenne, read our 2019 Cayenne First Look, 2019 Cayenne First Drive and 2019 Cayenne E-Hybrid First Look.

The 2019 Porsche Cayenne is a five-passenger midsize SUV available in four trim levels: base, S, E-Hybrid and Turbo. These trim levels mainly differ by what engine is under the hood, though they do typically include a few extra features with each step up as well. All come with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The base Cayenne is nothing to sneeze at, with plenty of performance coming from its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (335 horsepower, 332 lb-ft). Nineteen-inch wheels are standard, as are LED headlights, partial leather seats and a 12.4-inch touchscreen, among other features.

The Cayenne S comes with a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine (434 hp, 406 lb-ft), different 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension — dubbed Porsche Active Suspension Management, or PASM — tinted taillights and a panoramic roof.

The E-Hybrid is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine aided by an electric motor (455 hp, 516 lb-ft combined). A plug-in hybrid, the E-Hybrid can drive about 27 miles on all-electric power before the gas engine switches on. It adds PASM and the Sport Chrono package as standard equipment.

The Turbo replaces the V6 engine with a twin-turbo V8 engine (541 hp, 561 lb-ft). Over and above the standard Cayenne, the turbo includes upgraded front sport seats, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, an air suspension with PASM, upgraded brakes, front and rear heated seats, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system.

Many features that come standard on upper trim levels can be ordered as stand-alone options. Indeed, like other Porsches, the Cayenne is one of the most customizable vehicles you can buy.

Then you've got even more choices from a dizzying options list. It starts with two main packages — Premium and Premium Package Plus — and then goes to a huge list of stand-alone choices. All serve to enhance the Cayenne's performance, technology and audio, comfort, safety, and exterior and interior style. All for a price, of course.