2021 Porsche Cayenne Review

Name: 2021 Porsche Cayenne Review
Brand: Porsche

Price Range: $36,835 - $75,998

+320

The third-generation 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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2021 Porsche Cayenne Review

byRyan ZumMallen^{Contributor
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.}

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

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$228/mo

$172/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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

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, 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.

Which Cayenne 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.

Compare 2021 Porsche Cayenne trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2021 Porsche Cayenne models

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.

Base
The entry-level Cayenne comes reasonably well equipped with features such as:

Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (335 horsepower, 332 lb-ft of torque)
19-inch wheels
LED headlights
12.4-inch touchscreen
Navigation system
Wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility
Four USB-C ports
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Partial leather upholstery
Power-adjustable front seats
Ambient lighting
10-speaker sound system
Power liftgate
Front and rear parking sensors
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

E-Hybrid
A plug-in hybrid version of the Cayenne that adds onto the base model with:

Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and electric motor (455 total hp, 516 lb-ft)
Plug-in hybrid capability with 14 miles of all-electric range
Adaptive suspension dampers (Porsche Active Suspension Management, or PASM)
Sport Chrono package with Sport Plus drive mode and additional performance menus

S
A sportier version of the base model with:

Turbocharged 2.9-liter six-cylinder engine (434 hp, 405 lb-ft)
Power Steering Plus package with speed-sensitive steering response
Panoramic sunroof

GTS
New for 2021, the Cayenne GTS emphasizes performance with:

Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (453 hp, 457 lb-ft)
21-inch wheels
Air suspension with PASM
Sport seats
Adaptive rear spoiler
Sport exhaust system
Torque vectoring for improved traction and handling
Sport Design package with black exterior trim pieces

Turbo
The Cayenne Turbo loads you up with:

Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (541 hp, 567 lb-ft)
Adaptive LED headlights
Air suspension with PASM
Upgraded brakes
Power-adjustable steering wheel
Leather upholstery
Heated front and rear seats
Faux suede headliner
14-speaker Bose surround-sound system

Turbo S E-Hybrid
The top-line trim adds plug-in range to the turbocharged V8:

Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine and electric motor (670 hp, 663 lb-ft)
Plug-in hybrid capability with 12 miles of electric range
Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) anti-roll system for improved cornering

Many features on the upper Cayenne trims are available on the lower trims as options. Porsche also offers a wide range of additional packages and options to allow you to further customize your Cayenne. Notable features among them include:

Various interior and exterior color and material trim choices
Rear steering (enhances steering response and nimbleness)
21-speaker Burmester sound system
Ventilated front seats
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Cayenne and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Cayenne back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Cayenne and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

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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

3.7

45 reviews

5(46%)

4(17%)

3(11%)

2(7%)

1(19%)

Write a vehicle review See all 45 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 …

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 …

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.

See all 45 reviews of the Porsche Cayenne

Write a vehicle review

2021 Cayenne Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$67,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$228/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

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2021 Porsche CayenneE-Hybrid 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2021 Porsche CayenneGTS 4dr SUV

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2021 Porsche CayenneE-Hybrid 4dr SUV

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2021 Porsche Cayenne Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Cayenne does Edmunds recommend?

2021 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

Drives great but problems on brand new vehicle

2021 Cayenne Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}