2024 Porsche Cayenne Review: Redefining Segment Benchmark

There is no escaping the fact that most Porsches of the future will be fully electrified, including the Cayenne line-up. In fact, the new-generation Cayenne, which is due in 2026, will be fully electric. But, before EVs take over for good, Porsche thought why not overhaul the Cayenne, and give it an extra spice and kick! Which is why we are here in the North-East, to have a taste of the 2024 Porsche Cayenne and the Cayenne Coupe SUVs.

Also Read: 2024 Porsche Cayenne Makes India Debut

2024 Porsche Cayenne: Engine Specifications 

The 2024 Cayenne continues to get the 3.0-litre V6, but with decent updates

Now, do keep in mind that this is the last ICE version of the iconic Cayenne nameplate. Now, Porsche says that the Cayenne gets one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of the company, which means that the ICE models will co-exist with the new-gen Cayenne EV. So, let us begin!

India could get more engine options for the Cayenne in the near future

Thanks to tightening emission norms, India only gets the 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol engine on the 2023 Cayenne. But the engine itself sees an upgrade. The motor now makes 348.6 bhp between 5,400 to 6,400 rpm, which is 13 bhp more than before. Similarly, the peak torque output is now 500 Nm coming in between 1,450 to 4,500 rpm, which is 50 Nm than before.  

2024 Porsche Cayenne: Performance And Handling

Excellent driving experience on offer. Can't get enough of the SUV

Driving the new Cayenne is as engaging as any other Porsche. I mean the response from the engine is absolutely phenomenal. There is a slight hint of turbo lag, but I am not the one to complain. I mean you mash the throttle, you are thrown back into the seat, barrelling down the road. But for now, we will control our impulses and you know, keep a check on the speeds that we are doing. But the extra power and torque is there for you to feel and cash in on! 

Also Read: 2024 Porsche Cayenne Will Be Available Only In V6 Engine Option

With the V6, the Cayenne does the 0-100 kmph sprint in 5.7 seconds

The Cayenne with the V6 does the 0-100 kmph sprint in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of 248 kmph, something that you is probably better attempting on a racetrack than on public roads. 

With different driving modes, the Cayenne offers a different driving experience

Toggle through the various drive modes and you see that there is better differentiation between them than before. For most part, we drove in the comfort mode, with bits of driving done in Sport+ and the off-road mode. The feedback from the steering is not as engaging in the comfort mode and we believe it could have felt better in terms of grip and feel. Maybe a thicker steering wheel could have been offered on the Cayenne. 

The highlight is the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Unbelievable balance between taut handling and comfortable ride quality

But what has been the biggest surprise is the suspension. The Cayenne gets Porsche’s active suspension management as standard and what it does is deliver a magical ride for an SUV made with sporty intent. The ride quality in comfort mode is near exceptional and in true Porsche fashion, the Cayenne handles beautifully. The body roll is tightened, and the turn-ins are nice and quick. The grip from the tyres is quite incredible too.

2024 Porsche Cayenne: Interior And Features 

The interior sees a significant update too

To begin with, Porsche makes use of what it calls the Porsche driver experience, where everything is centred around the driver. The controls on the steering wheel, the dashboard-mounted gear selector and the new instrument console along with the infotainment screen, all of which is built and positioned so as to be within reach and also ergonomically sound. 

The new instrument console is from the Porsche Taycan

The 12.6-inch console behind the steering wheel is now curved and fully digital and offers crisp readout, with different displays to choose from. Similarly, the 12.9-inch screen in the centre is a new unit too and houses controls for connectivity, media and other vehicular functions. 

The optional passenger side screen costs Rs. 1.52 lakh

What is new is the optional 10.9-inch screen on the left, for the passenger, which can be used to control in-car functions. It is designed in a manner that the driver can’t see the screen, as a safety precaution. It is priced at Rs. 1.52 lakh.

Dash-mounted gear lever takes some time getting used to

While the practicality of the Porsche Cayenne stays the same as before, what did stand out as an oddity is the dash-mounted gear selector. The driver has to stretch out his/her arm to reach the lever and it sort of robs the sporty feel of having the gear-selector in the centre. 

2024 Porsche Cayenne: Exterior Design 

In terms of the design, there is no mistaking that it is in fact a Cayenne

Look closer and you see that the bonnet gets new lines and the design seems fresher! The grille up ahead is also new, it gets squared edges, that makes it look stand-offish and gives it that distinct Porsche look.

The Cayenne can be offered with 20, 21 and 22-inch wheels in India

The profile of the SUV is similar to the earlier models, with Porsche offering wheel sizes of 20, 21 and 22-inches for the Cayenne and Cayenne Coupe, carrying new designs. At the rear, the LED bar is now of a uniform size and there’s a new bumper, which makes the rear look better than before. 

The rear section of the Cayenne coupe is downright sexy!

The Cayenne coupe is definitely the sexier looking one, with a nicely integrated spoiler. And owing to the difference in design, the Cayenne has a boot space of 772 litres while the Cayenne coupe has a boot space of 592 litres. 

Another highlight is the matrix LED headlights 

The matrix LED headlights have a different housing and a different setup and if you want, you can optionally buy the high definition matrix LED headlights. Yes, each headlight has two modules with 32,000 pixels that can help regulate the intensity of the light so as to not blind the oncoming traffic and also create a variety of lighting patterns on the road.

2024 Porsche Cayenne: Prices and Rivals 

The new Porsche Cayenne is more expensive than its rivals

The Cayenne SUV facelift is priced at Rs. 1.36 crore while the Cayenne Coupe is priced at Rs. 1.42 crore (ex-showroom) and bookings for both variants have been open for a while now. Rival models include the BMW X5 and the Audi Q8 and the Porsche is undoubtedly more expensive than both of them. Also, most of the features are offered as optional, which will cost you extra, over and above the ex-showroom price. 

You can specify your Cayenne with optional features worth Rs. 60 lakh

For example, the Bose audio system is priced at Rs 2.81 lakh, the sport exhaust is priced at Rs. 5.91 lakh and two-tone leather upholstery will set you back by Rs. 8.09 lakh. The matrix HD LED headlights will cost you a cool Rs. 5.66 lakh. And these are just a few of them! In all, you can get optional equipment worth Rs. 60 lakh on the SUV.

2024 Porsche Cayenne: Verdict 

The balance between power, precision and comfort on the Porsche Cayenne is near impossible to mimic

The Porsche Cayenne and the Cayenne Coupe see massive updates, not just to the design and features, but also to the engine line-up and the suspension. Yes! It is the last iteration of the Porsche Cayenne with an IC engine, and Porsche has done a great job of it. Yes, it is expensive, but it still continues to be the benchmark of the segment, at least in terms of driving experience and that’s saying something. I mean, this is one of the most successful Porsche models of the last 20 years, and that’s with good reason.