2021 Porsche Cayenne Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne arrives ready to sate the most discerning SUV shoppers with a choice of two V6 engines, a twin-turbo V8, and a...

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne arrives ready to sate the most discerning SUV shoppers with a choice of two V6 engines, a twin-turbo V8, and a plug-in hybrid (covered as a separate model).

The Cayenne is more spacious than its stylish Cayenne Coupe stablemate, and very nearly as impressive a performer.

That should come as no surprise because Porsche is known for performance. But it’s also known for an options list that quickly gets out of hand. Some shoppers will feel that those expensive options should come standard, but those folks may not be Porsche’s target market. This is not a value-oriented SUV. As with the Cayenne Coupe, the 2021 Cayenne receives a GTS trim level. It has a 460-horsepower version of the company’s twin-turbo V8, along with a more sport-oriented suspension height and the brand’s Sport Chrono package. The turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 in the base Cayenne offers a more pedestrian 335 horsepower, and the S splits the difference with a 434-horsepower twin-turbo V6.

A 12.3-inch touchscreen, 10-speaker stereo, and WiFi hotspot return as standard equipment in the base Cayenne. The Sport Chrono package offers both on-road performance upgrade and a bit of off-road kit in way of multiple driving modes and some extra protection for the vehicle’s underside. Cargo space comes in at 27 cubic feet behind the Porsche Cayenne’s second row and 60 cubic feet with that row folded. As a two-row SUV, the Cayenne offers seating for five people.

Fuel economy won’t wow anyone: The base Cayenne delivers 19 mpg city, 23 highway. The S turns out 18/22, and the GTS offers 15/19. While the Cayenne ostensibly competes against other luxury SUVs like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90, few vehicles of this size can adequately compete with the Cayenne in terms of driving dynamics and outright performance.