The Porsche Cayenne has long set the standard for what an actual sport utility vehicle should be. It blended those attributes better than many could believe when it arrived back in 2002 and now, just over two decades later, it’s still aiming for the stars. Of course, this requires continual improvement and that’s what Porsche wanted to accomplish with the 2024 Cayenne S.
It’s planted firmly in the midst of an updated Cayenne lineup and for this model year, it ditches the twin-turbo V6 from 2023 in favor of a twin-turbo V8. Now, it makes 468 hp (349 kW) and 442 lb-ft (598 Nm) of torque. It sends that power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
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We had the chance to test the new Cayenne around the busy streets of Atlanta, Georgia, home of Porsche’s Experience Center. What we learned is that when it comes to this specific class of SUVs, the Cayenne is still king.
QUICK FACTS
Return Of The V8 And More
The twin-turbocharged six-cylinder from the previous Cayenne wasn’t slow or sedate. It made a respectable 434 hp ( kW) and 405 lb-ft ( Nm) of torque. It did 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds and was never really regarded as a weak spot in the formula. Still, this revised V8 is an improvement thanks to an additional 34 hp (25 kW) and 37 lb-ft (50 Nm) of torque.
It cuts the 0-60 time down to just 4.7 seconds or 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package, and enables the Cayenne to reach a top speed of 169 mph (270 km/h). Despite that raucous performance, it’ll still get up to 15 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway. Not fabulous figures but not hideous either.
The updated SUV also gets the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard. It enables the Cayenne to feel dynamically quite different based on several factors. During everyday normal driving it softens the dampers but in Sport mode it firms them up for better handling. In fact, it can adjust as needed without driver intervention to increase or reduce damper stiffness. Porsche also added new two-valve shocks to the Cayenne that optimize the ride even further.
Taycan DNA Inside
It’s appropriate for this SUV that reimagined its own segment to carry on DNA from other models of the brand. To that end, the cabin will immediately remind buyers of the Taycan thanks to a low expansive dash that features three different screens including one for the passenger, the main driver information screen, and the shared infotainment system.
The three screens blend together nicely and the infotainment system itself is very quick to react. The graphics are bright, the menus are easy to navigate, and the sound system is rich and crisp. Using the integrated navigation system around Atlanta was a breeze too and search results were almost always intuitive and logical. The driver information display is highly configurable and has its own design layout nods to other Porsche models.
It’s not all new-school cool in the cabin though. The center console tunnel reminds us of the original Cayenne with dual grab handles, multiple storage cubbies, two cupholders, physical switches, and a single knob for climate control. The steering wheel continues that tactile switchgear theme.
The buttons, dials, and scroll wheels on the steering wheel aren’t capacitive so you’ll feel the feedback when you use them. They look nice too as they sit atop what look like floating stalks within the wheel spokes. That same attention to detail continues throughout the cabin.
The shift lever, the dash, the door cards, and even the door sill plates all get little texturized patterns that add to the feeling of luxury in the Cayenne. It’s not all perfect though. A few surfaces feel decidedly down market. The window switches for example, could’ve come out of just about any car in production today.
That doesn’t mean that they’re not perfectly good at their job. The seats likewise don’t look particularly special but they are highly adjustable and excellent to spend time in. We especially like the lateral support they provide as it encourages engaged driving.
The rear seats are comfortable and spacious as well. Despite being taller than average (6’6) I fit behind where I positioned the driver’s seat without feeling cramped. The rear-seat climate controls again feature beautifully finished switchgear, above-average configurability, and easily understandable graphics. A pair of USB-C ports sit beneath them for passengers to stay charged up.
Perhaps one of the best things about the Cayenne is that it doesn’t ruin cargo space by attempting to shove a third row into the cabin. Instead, it seats five people in comfort and at the same time offers up to 27 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. Lower the rear seats and that expands to 60 cubic feet. Moreover, it can tow up to 7,700 pounds, which is outstanding.
Drive Impressions
The old V6 in the Cayenne S wasn’t a slouch, but it also didn’t spark the soul the way this V8 does. Don’t get us wrong, the new V8 has certainly quietened the thunder a bit but at full bore, this SUV sounds excellent. The eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox swaps cogs at such a rapid pace that the Cayenne remains in its power band so the noise won’t stop until you take your foot out of it.
Power delivery is smooth and consistent regardless of when one jumps on it. In traffic, that makes the Cayenne easy to maneuver. On the highway or on a canyon road, it’s an absolute weapon compared to most cars in this class. It’s not even all about raw power either. The way the Cayenne responds to direction is of note too.
The pedals and steering wheel provide excellent feedback and consistent engagement. That adds confidence to the driver. Having such an athletic platform makes every drive more enjoyable.
On the flip side, the Cayenne is just as happy to settle down and provide a serene environment for its occupants. Road noise is largely hushed, the panoramic sunroof in our test car provides a feeling of airiness, and the available massaging front seats and quad-zone climate control take that to the next level. Sure, other SUVs offer similar amenities but few do it like the Cayenne.
Conclusions
What is it that really makes a car great? Lots of things matter but until cars can safely drive themselves, keeping the driver engaged should be near the top of the list. The Porsche Cayenne does that and it does so in an incredibly practical package.
It removes the barrier of entry to fun driving that so many SUVs and crossovers put up today. Others in the field aren’t bad. The BMW X5, the Genesis GV80, and the Audi Q7 deserve a look but the Porsche Cayenne offers a unique blend of luxury, performance, and brand recognition.
Starting at $79,200 before deliver fees, the base Cayenne is the best performer in its field. As trim prices dip into the triple digits that becomes more of a question. Still, where the Cayenne S lies is a unique position. It’s not battling the BMW X5M or the Audi RS Q8. There’s a Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT for that. Instead, the Cayenne S is a true all-arounder and in that niche that eschews all-out hardcore performance for a more balanced approach, it’s the best of the bunch.
