2020 Porsche Cayenne Review

Name: 2020 Porsche Cayenne Review
Brand: Porsche

Price Range: $35,995 - $55,998

+213

Small upgrades improve the third generation of Porsche's bread-and-butter SUV. The turbocharged V6 engine and eight-speed transmission make for better driving and fuel efficiency, and revamped infotainment is among the best in class. This Cayenne builds a strong case for buyers whose life circumstances preclude a 911.

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SUV
Plug-in Hybrid

2020 Porsche Cayenne Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Truly impressive handling for a crossover SUV
Wide selection of powerful engines available
Exquisite interior and build quality
Plenty of customization options

Cons

Quite a few optional features should be standard given the price tag
Gloss-black interior panels can look dirty almost immediately
Poor rear visibility
Fans are weak at low speeds and too noisy at high speeds

What's new

Turbo S E-Hybrid is the new range-topping powertrain
Part of the third Cayenne generation introduced for 2019

Overview

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne is one of the few SUVs that can rival a high-performance sports car in handling and acceleration capability. And while that might be expected from an SUV wearing the Porsche badge, the degree to which it combines that performance with traditional SUV versatility impresses us.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 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 $3.90 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$234/mo

$178/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Befitting a Porsche, it far surpasses its competitors in its handling abilities, making it a true pleasure to drive. The powertrain range is diverse, including two powerful V6 engines, a turbocharged V8 and two plug-in models — including the new, range-topping Turbo S E-Hybrid. There is also a bevy of performance enhancements, an off-road package, and more luxury and safety options than you thought were possible.

It has a few downsides — including poor rear visibility, a smaller-than-average cargo area and a high price tag. These minor drawbacks aren't enough to keep us from recommending the Cayenne, however. If you're in the market for a performance-minded SUV, or just want a well-rounded luxury crossover, you should put the 2020 Porsche Cayenne on your short list.

Notably, we picked the 2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo as one of Edmunds' Fastest SUVs for 2019.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds 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

edmunds 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. Zero to 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 and the Sport Chrono package — produces seemingly endless amounts of grip in curves. Steering is a little heavier than an SUV requires but certainly plays into the Cayenne's sporting pretensions.

Comfort

8/10

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

8/10

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

8/10

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. Though Porsche's business model stands on the shoulders of its extensive options list, some basic driver assistance features should be standard.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The Cayenne offers real daily usefulness, though interior storage is lower 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 up to 7,713 pounds.

Fuel Economy

8/10

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

8/10

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 Edmunds recommend?

Porsche is synonymous with performance, and that's why we'd skip right over the capable but uninspiring base model. Any other choice is a slam dunk — the plug-in hybrid models have more intuitive brake action than previous Cayenne hybrids, so we'd recommend those as well. For our money, the Cayenne S and the E-Hybrid both offer sufficient power and have their own unique performance upgrades over the standard model, but the high-octane Turbo models are tons of fun too.

Compare 2020 Porsche Cayenne trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2020 Porsche Cayenne models

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne is a performance-oriented midsize luxury SUV available in five trim levels: base, S, E-Hybrid, Turbo and Turbo S E-Hybrid. 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 sufficient performance coming from its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (335 horsepower, 332 lb-ft). Standard features include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, heated and power-folding mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 40/20/40-split rear seat, partial leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a 12.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 10-speaker audio system with four USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay functionality, and satellite and HD radio.

The Cayenne S comes with a turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine (434 hp, 406 lb-ft), the Power Steering Plus option (PSP reduces steering effort at low speeds), PASM and a panoramic sunroof.

The E-Hybrid is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine aided by an electric motor (455 hp, 516 lb-ft combined). It is equipped similarly to the base Cayenne but adds PASM and the Sport Chrono package.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo replaces the V6 engine with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (541 hp, 561 lb-ft). Over and above the standard Cayenne, the Turbo includes 21-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, an air suspension with PASM, upgraded brakes, Power Steering Plus, a faux suede headliner, auto-dimming mirrors, a power-adjustable steering wheel, upgraded front sport seats with memory settings, front and rear heated seats, leather upholstery and a 14-speaker Bose audio system.

The Turbo S E-Hybrid marries the Turbo's V8 with the plug-in hybrid system, producing a total of 670 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque. On top of the Turbo's features, the Turbo S E-Hybrid adds carbon-ceramic brakes, a heated steering wheel, the Sport Chrono package, and a pair of performance upgrades — Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus.

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 list of options, most of which are available on all Cayenne trims. It starts with two main packages — Premium and Premium Package Plus — both of which bundle popular options that are otherwise available separately. Key options include the Assistance package (a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera, night vision, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control) and rear-axle steering (reduces the Cayenne's turning radius). An off-road package, massaging front seats, ventilated front and rear seats, four-zone climate control, a 21-speaker Burmester audio system, and a dual-screen rear entertainment system are other significant offerings.

There's also an extensive interior customization program, with extensive veneer options, different upgraded leathers, and colors for the deviated seat-belts. The only limit on what you can customize is how much your pocketbook can handle.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2.5/5Average

#25 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Porsche Cayenne from 2008-2022.}

$776/yr

vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.98x/yr

vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

15.6%

vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Porsche Cayenne Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.5

34 reviews

5(38%)

4(20%)

3(12%)

2(9%)

1(21%)

Write a vehicle review See all 34 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Car breaking safety issue

DefectivePorscheBuyer, 04/29/2021

2020 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

My new Cayenne 2020 S had three different issues within the first week. The are four (4) different rattling noises, a dangerous braking issue (sudden jolts forward when you're trying to slow down) and an app that rarely connects. I'm now fighting with the dealership as they say these issues are "normal". Suffice to say, I've filed a complaint with the NHTSA and will pursue other legal …

2019 Cayenne Hybird, so close, yet so far away...

PorscheFanGuy, 12/09/2019

2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

This is my third Porsche. My other two cars right now are a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Diesel and a 981 Boxster S (manual). The car was leased new and has around 600 miles on it so these are initial impressions. Lets address the pros first. The car is very fast and handles exceptionally well. When is Sport or Sport + the car accelerates faster than my Boxster S (or at least … feels that way) and handles the curves superbly well. The seats are comfortable and there is a lot of room in the back seat. The battery gives you about 20 miles of range on fully electric which is speedy enough to get you around short errands easily. Now for the cons. First, my vehicle had an MSRP of around $91K so pretty basic trim. Premium package plus the ventilated seats. But this is still $91K! I compare that against what I got in my Jeep Grand Cherokee (~$45K) and the value is simply not there (even for a Porsche). Second, the are some pretty bad fit and finish quality issues. The paint is a joke and will scratch and get holes it in as if it were Play Doh. It also has an area where it looks like the paint dripped. How this got through quality control in Bratislava is concerning. I've toured the factory in Stuttgart and it wouldn't have gotten through those guys. I had to get ceramic coating because the paint is so bad and its a lease! There are also panels inside the car that do not align well (e.g., A pillar). Finally, I hear rattles with certain radio songs (at moderate volume) and it just doesn't seem as well put together as the JGC when going over bumps which is nuts to say about a Porsche. Third, with the government subsidy the e-hybrid is the one to get over the S but if I were buying and not leasing I'd get the base. The hybrid tech is truly amazing (good job to the engineers), its hard to tell when the vehicle goes from electric to gas. However, if I were planning on owning (as opposed to leasing) I'd worry long-term about the impact of the hybrid drive and power train on the engine. The car needs to engage the ICE engine at any time (even if cold) and it will constantly need to go back and forth which is a lot for any engine to handle. The range of 20 very limiting and once its over, you don't have the speed anymore (just the weight). Overall, if you want an electric car, get a Tesla Porsche is just not there yet and the uncertainty of long-term residuals is too much to buy vs. lease. Plus the tech is changing at an exponential rate. Fourth: Porsche, please go pick up a 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and make it a required course for the folks who design your ergonomics. I've had Jeep, Toyota, Nissan, MB, and other Porsches and this is the worst ergonomic design I've ever seen. Simple things like being able to select previous track on the steering wheel, hang grocery bags in the back seats (or rear), and ability to easily control music are impossible in the new Cayenne. The controls look great but I think this car is a step back in this respect relative to the previous generation. Fifth: The Bose Stereo system is not great. I have a lot of Bose products (e.g., headphones, speakers, stereo in Boxster) and this one is just not as good. It sounds only slightly better than the system in my JGC. I've tried every setting combination, multiple different sources, and even Tidal which streams at more than CD quality. Its just not a great system. Having owned a couple of other Porsches, this doesn't feel of the same quality. Frankly it doesn't feel special. I think they need to bring the production back to Germany ASAP. Will report back after a few months.

3rd time is a charm

DM Taylor, 12/29/2019

2019 Porsche Cayenne 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

This is my 3rd Porsche. Previously owned a Boxster S and traded in a 2015 Macan S for the base 2019 Cayenne. Have put 4,000 miles on it over five months. Picked it over a Panamera. Likes are the interior which is the most comfortable and elegant I have seen. Actually prefer the Cayenne’s ZF transmission over the PDK in the Macan! The Macan was always sluggish to get the turbo to spin …

A Driver’s SUV

Brian L, 08/05/2020

2020 Porsche Cayenne 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Excellent vehicle. Buy a Cayenne if... -You want the best handling mid-sized SUV in the world. Great handling, road feel, break feel. Look at Car and Driver ratings. -You want a refined, elegant interior (after upgrades) that doesn’t look like a futuristic Japanese robot. -You want a luxury SUV which is less common than an X5 or GLE -You want to have fun, but you also want a big comfy …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Porsche Cayenne, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cayenne since its last redesign.

See all 34 reviews of the Porsche Cayenne

Write a vehicle review

2020 Cayenne Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$66,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$234/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Cayenne models:

Night Vision Assist: Helps drivers navigate dark roads with the help of a thermal imaging camera.
Pedestrian Protection: Detects unsighted pedestrians and automatically applies the brakes to help prevent a collision.
InnoDrive: Assists the driver in navigating unfamiliar roads using GPS-based navigation, topography, and road sign and speed limit information.

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2020 Porsche Cayenne Review

Price & Payment

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2020 Porsche CayenneE-Hybrid 4dr SUV

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2020 Porsche CayenneBase 4dr SUV

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2020 Porsche CayenneBase 4dr SUV

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2020 Porsche Cayenne Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 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 $3.90 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Cayenne does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Porsche Cayenne models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Porsche Cayenne Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Car breaking safety issue

2019 Cayenne Hybird, so close, yet so far away...

3rd time is a charm

A Driver’s SUV

2020 Cayenne Highlights

Safety

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2020 Porsche Cayenne
Base 4dr SUV

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 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 $3.90 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}