2021 Porsche Cayenne Review

Name: 2021 Porsche Cayenne
Brand: Porsche

Price Range: $33,590 - $58,990

The third-generation 2021 Porsche Cayenne is impressive on many levels. It's among the most fun-to-drive models in its class and backs it up with an impressive interior and plenty of opportunity for customization. This Cayenne builds a strong case for buyers whose life circumstances preclude a 911.

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Average price: $46,459

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Appraise My 2021 Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne model years

Porsche Cayenne for Sale

Porsche Cayenne types

SUV
Plug-in Hybrid

Pros

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

Cons

Quite a few features that should be standard at this price are optional
Gloss-black interior panels can quickly look dirty
Poor rear visibility
Climate control fans are weak at low speeds and noisy at high

What's new

The GTS returns, powered by a 453-horsepower turbocharged V8
Part of the third Cayenne generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Ryan ZumMallen

2/23/2021

If you want a midsize luxury SUV that makes you grin every time you slip behind the wheel, your best bet is the 2021 Porsche Cayenne. With handling that's as dynamic as a Cirque du Soleil performer and a range of available engines that starts out at 335 horsepower and ends at 670 hp with the Turbo S E-Hybrid, the Cayenne deftly combines all-wheel-drive sports car performance with SUV utility.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

27 listings

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2021 Porsche Cayenne
Turbo 4dr SUV
$57,877
great price
$9,365 below market
- 53,390 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use
- 5 Seats, 15 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- Excel Auto Lounge (178 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Hightstown, NJ
Truffle Brown Leather.Blue 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo AWD 8-Speed Automatic with Tiptronic 4.0L V8
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (15 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WP1AF2AY1MDA36585
Stock: MDA36585
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-09-2026
Price Drop
2021 Porsche Cayenne
4dr SUV
$38,189
- 50,142 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 19 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- Hyundai of Trenton (167 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Ewing, NJ
CARFAX One-Owner. Clean CARFAX. Odometer is 4264 miles below market average! Priced below KBB Fair Purchase Price!White 2021 Porsche Cayenne 4D Spor...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (19 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WP1AA2AY8MDA02173
Stock: A02173C01
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-22-2026

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This year's new addition is the Cayenne GTS. It uses a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 — the same engine found in the Turbo and Turbo S E-Hybrid models — but at a less potent tune. With 453 horsepower, the GTS slots between the Cayenne S (434 hp) and the Turbo (541 hp). The GTS also comes with a few extra performance-oriented features as standard equipment.

As you'd likely expect, the Cayenne is a Porsche first and an SUV second. Want acres of space? Maybe a Cadillac Escalade is more your thing. Value? Err, try the Genesis dealership next door. But few other SUVs drive as well as this one. Want to know more? Check out our Expert Rating below for our in-depth evaluation.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.1

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Porsche Cayenne on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

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, and 0-60 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 (Porsche Active Suspension Management) 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

8/10

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

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The Cayenne offers real daily usefulness, though it has less interior storage 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 more than 7,000 pounds when properly equipped.

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.

2021 Porsche Cayenne trim level differences

The Porsche Cayenne is a midsize SUV available in six trims: Base, E-Hybrid, S, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S E-Hybrid. All models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Compare the 2021 Porsche Cayenne trim levels in-depth.

Which Cayenne trim does Edmunds recommend?

It's easy to get lured into lusting over the mind-bending performance of the higher Cayenne trims, but the S trim is our choice for getting an affordable upgrade over the base Cayenne with its own unique flavor. Upgraded power, brakes and handling make it legitimately fun to drive. We would also add the Premium package to include extra safety and convenience features to round out the experience.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$224/mo

$168/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 7 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5, ranks it #25 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

2.5 out of 5 stars2.5/5Average

#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

$776/yr

vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Frequency

1.98x/yr

vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Severity

15.6%

vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Recalls

7 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V896000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: ASB2
Manufactured from:: 2023-10-19 to
Number of vehicles affected:: 173538
Defect Description:: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019-2025 Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid, 2020-2025 911, Taycan, 2024-2025 Panamera, and 2025 Panamera E-Hybrid vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the driver assistance software, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed February 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ASB2. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 19, 2026.

Recall Number:: 23V841000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: APB6
Number of vehicles affected:: 41345
Defect Description:: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling various models and model years. Please see the recall report for a list of the included vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Defect Consequence:: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 24, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated mid-2024. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is APB6.

Recall Number:: 22V040000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: ANA1
Number of vehicles affected:: 1241
Defect Description:: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cayenne vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-271 (AMA9) were performed.
Defect Consequence:: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANA1.

Recall Number:: 21V493000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: AMB4
Number of vehicles affected:: 27
Defect Description:: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne vehicles. The screw connection between the steering column and steering box may fail, which can result in a detached steering column.
Defect Consequence:: A detached steering column can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will install a new screw, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB4.

Recall Number:: 21V341000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: AMB1
Number of vehicles affected:: 12
Defect Description:: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, and Cayenne GTS Coupe vehicles. Cracks may develop on the surface of the engine cylinder bore.
Defect Consequence:: Cracks may cause engine damage and a stall or an oil leak, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB1.

Recall Number:: 21V318000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: AMB0
Number of vehicles affected:: 136
Defect Description:: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne GTS, Cayenne GTS Coupe, 2020-2021 Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe vehicles. The passenger seat back heating element was not installed and may impact the calibration of the Occupant Classification System.
Defect Consequence:: The front passenger air bag may fail to deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will install a heating element, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 27, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMB0.

Recall Number:: 21V271000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: AMA9
Number of vehicles affected:: 1568
Defect Description:: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2021 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Coupe, Cayenne S Coupe, Cayenne Turbo Coupe, and Cayenne GTS Coupe vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Defect Consequence:: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock nuts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AMA9.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
EV battery Warranty: 8 years / 80,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 1 years / 10,000 miles

Porsche Cayenne Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.7

47 reviews

5(49%)

4(17%)

3(11%)

2(6%)

1(17%)

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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 …

Drives great but problems on brand new vehicle

JP, 12/16/2021

2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A)

After 2000 KM a rattling noise started, I thought it was just a slight rattle on a heat shield at low RPM, and was only intermittent. The throttle felt odd at times but I just attributed it to me not being accustomed to the transmission. By 2800 KM the rattling noise was very loud and heard all the time. Emergency brake sensor issue. First they blamed bad gas, problem continues after …

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 …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cayenne since its last redesign.

2021 Cayenne Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$67,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$224/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.2 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 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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2021 Porsche Cayenne Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 Porsche Cayenne trim level differences

Which Cayenne trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Porsche Cayenne Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Cayenne Highlights

Safety

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