Regardless of some preliminary resistance when the Cayenne debuted 20 years in the past, it has grow to be one of the vital essential autos in Porsche’s lineup, comprising about 30 % of its worldwide gross sales. The present, third-generation Cayenne has been in manufacturing because the 2019 mannequin 12 months and receives a well timed refresh for 2024.

This is not your typical facelift, although. It is a important improve over the earlier 12 months, stopping in need of a brand new era as a result of it shares a lot of the identical chassis and crash construction. The 2024 Cayenne sports activities a brand new look, with a reworked entrance fascia with bigger air intakes, restyled headlights, extra outstanding fenders, and a refined hood bulge. The bottom additionally will get a makeover, with new taillights and a tailgate that makes it look wider than earlier than.

On the within, a brand new 12.6-inch curved digital instrument show debuts alongside the PCM 6.0 infotainment system and its 12.3-inch touchscreen. The earlier gear selector lever has been changed by a smaller toggle present in different Porsches and moved to the sprint. That frees up some house on the middle console for extra storage and a brand new climate-control panel. The Cayenne additionally provides a ten.9-inch touchscreen for the entrance passenger, much like that present in the Taycan.

The Cayenne lineup has been scaled again dramatically from 9 trim ranges to 4. The bottom 348-horsepower Cayenne begins at $80,850, whereas the 468-hp Cayenne S will set you again one other $16,500. On the prime quality is the 650-hp Turbo GT that flirts uncomfortably with a $200,000 price ticket. It is solely accessible within the coupe physique fashion and is now unique to the U.S. market. Slotting above the bottom mannequin is the plug-in turbo V-6 Cayenne E-Hybrid with 463 horses at $93,350. A completely electrical Cayenne is due in a number of years and can overlap with the internal-combustion fashions.

Driving the Cayenne Turbo GT

We had the chance to unleash the Cayenne Turbo GT on a few of our favourite roads in Southern California to see how the adjustments have an effect on this sportiest of utility autos. The Turbo GT actually deserves its place because the spiciest of Cayennes. If it had a Scoville score, it’d simply mimic its six-figure pricing. Acceleration must be much like the insane 2.8 seconds we recorded in a ’22 mannequin, and if you pin the pedal to the ground, you are met with one of the vital wonderful V-8 engine growls this facet of a Jaguar F-type.

Off the road, the Turbo GT stumbles for only a temporary second because it struggles to maintain the sticky Pirelli tires from going up in smoke and prepares for the subsequent gear, however it’s nonetheless spectacular and chuckle-inducing. The usual ceramic composite brakes are as much as the duty of getting this about-5100-pound SUV slowed, and the agency pedal provides additional assurance.

Easing right into a flip, the Cayenne’s steering is appropriately Porsche-like with its precision and energy. The usual adaptive air springs and light-weight carbon roof maintain the Turbo GT from feeling top-heavy because it tracks by way of the curves with solely a touch of physique roll. Mid-corner bumps could cause the rear tires to momentarily step out of line, however the Cayenne regains grip and composure earlier than you may react.

Simply as spectacular as its cornering prowess is the Turbo GT’s comfy experience. Dial the drive mode again to Regular, and the suspension relaxes its clenching tautness for the type of smoothness wanted for longer journeys. The outstanding street noise will add a little bit of long-distance fatigue again, although.

Cayenne S Drive

We additionally drove the Cayenne S on the identical roads, and the variations have been telling however not dramatic. The large information for this midrange mannequin is the return of the V-8 engine rather than the earlier V-6, bringing with it a further 34 horses. However you will not discover the Turbo GT’s theatrical snarl within the S, which as an alternative has a relatively bland sound that could possibly be mistaken for the six-cylinder.

The Cayenne S additionally comes with a extra typical adaptive suspension that does not have the vary of consolation or efficiency from which the Turbo GT advantages. It is extra nervous and jittery over tough pavement and never as solidly settled in lengthy sweeping curves. The air suspension is on the market as a $2390 choice, nevertheless, and we extremely suggest it for each the Cayenne S and base mannequin, whether or not or not you are searching for dealing with efficiency. Even with this addition, the Cayenne S prices half as a lot because the Turbo GT.

In fact, efficiency is barely a part of the Cayenne equation. It is nonetheless a luxurious SUV, and its inside handily meets expectations. Whereas we might do with much less piano black on the middle console, the cabin is swathed in premium supplies, and there is a sturdy heft behind all of them. Moreover the aforementioned street noise, the inside is devoid of any creaks, squeaks, and extreme wind noise.

Shifting the gear selector to the sprint additionally permits for a wi-fi charging pad that is nicely positioned beneath the sprint and is a good pairing with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You additionally get a bigger storage pocket and cupholders. The brand new climate-control panel fortunately retains some bodily toggle switches for distraction-free changes. Secondary controls are capacitive contact buttons that require wanting away from the street to make use of.

We’re not satisfied the non-obligatory passenger touchscreen is definitely worth the $1490 value, however there’s a sure cool issue, nonetheless. It permits the entrance passenger to get pleasure from their very own streaming leisure, management a number of automobile options, and play co-pilot with navigation, although the middle touchscreen is barely a brief attain away. The show’s polarized filter makes it seem to the driving force as only a black plastic sprint component to remove distraction. Our essential problem with this show is the chance of triggering movement illness for extra delicate passengers.

Altogether, the adjustments make the 2024 Porsche Cayenne much more fascinating than earlier than. For the driving force who seeks extra efficiency than the bottom Cayenne already delivers, the Cayenne S is certain to boost your coronary heart charge. We might counsel optioning the air-spring suspension for a broader unfold of each consolation and dealing with. As wonderful because the Turbo GT is, its very practically $200,000 value appears extreme. But when we had the type of financial institution stability that would soak up such a success, you’d higher imagine we would go for it.

Contributing Editor

With a background in design and open-wheel racing, Mark Takahashi bought his foot within the door as an artwork director on automotive and bike magazines. He parlayed that right into a profession as an automotive journalist and has reviewed 1000’s of autos over the previous few many years.