2023 Porsche Cayenne Performance

This may be an SUV, but it's also a Porsche, and an AWD one at that. As a result, performance is spectacular for an SUV, and not just in a straight line. This is especially true on the top GTS trim, where you'll find a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood that develops 453 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque while adaptive air suspension and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus makes it far more agile than you'd expect for a vehicle of this size. Despite its lardy curb weight, the GTS can do the 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.5 seconds in standard guise and 4.2 seconds when equipped with the Sport Chrono package and its accompanying launch control function. Top speed here is 167 mph, while the lesser S model with its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 tops out a little earlier at 164 mph. This model manages the benchmark sprint in 4.9 and 4.6 seconds, respectively. The base model, despite being motivated by the weakest engine in the range (a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 developing 335 hp), can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.9 and 5.6 seconds, respectively, while top speed is 152 mph. Interestingly, the hybrid variant is a little faster at 157 mph, but 0-60 with the Sport Chrono package is dispatched in 4.7 seconds. Despite all this focus on performance, all versions of the Cayenne can tow up to 7,700 lbs.

The Cayenne in any guise is respectable in terms of performance and output, but those who care little for acceleration times and top speed ability will likely be best suited to steering the base model. This variant gets a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 producing 335 hp and 332 lb-ft. Although it is the least powerful version in the range, it has no problem accelerating from a standstill and can overtake with ease, although its weight does make it feel less than visceral. Speaking of heavy models, the E-Hybrid model uses the same powertrain as the base model but with an electric motor called E-Machine that produces 134 hp and 295 lb-ft. In total, output is rated at 455 horses and 516 lb-ft of twist.

For a bit more oomph without electric assistance, the Cayenne S houses a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with a big jump in power over the base model to 434 hp and 405 lb-ft. This model feels truly quick, and it is. There's no need to downshift on the freeway unless you truly want to blow the doors off slower traffic, but of course, even this model pales in comparison to the brilliant GTS variant. This Cayenne steals the Turbo model's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, albeit with a little less power. Here, it produces 453 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. This model is truly breathtaking. Put your foot down and the world rushes past in a manner that is guaranteed to get you in trouble with the law. Of course, it takes more than just a beefy engine for a vehicle to be considered good, but the Cayenne's eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission is a pearler that is smooth, sharp, decisive, and simply a joy to use, whether left to its own devices or handled via the steering-mounted paddles.

The base Cayenne's engine is unsurprisingly the most economical of the bunch, with an EPA rating of 17/22/19 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. Thanks to a 23.7-gallon gas tank, this model will manage around 450 miles of range on a single fill-up. The Cayenne S will achieve similar range with mixed driving, although its city and combined gas mileage ratings are one mpg lower. The top GTS trim is the thirstiest model, with the EPA's reviews of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 indicating that you should get 15/19/17 mpg on the same cycles and a mixed driving range of around 400 miles. How much of that you're likely to see in the real world will depend on how good you are at being feather-footed. For the E-Hybrid variant, the EPA estimates are 18 MPG combined and 42 MPGe in hybrid mode. Its all-electric range is estimated at 15 miles.