Porsche Cayenne 4x4 4.8 V8 S 5dr Review

For The V8 is a beauty of an engine – so strong and willing that, in real-world driving, this model feels a match for the far more expensive Turbo.

Against Apart from the bigger engine, S trim doesn’t add much to the Cayenne’s specification, yet the price jumps by more than £10,000.

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

Pretty much as quick as the Turbo in real life, and massively cheaper to buy. An appealing option if you can afford the huge running costs.

What Car? readers say

2.5

Key facts

0–60mph: 5.9 secs
Top speed: 160 mph
Average mpg: 26.9
Tank range: 592 miles

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Features

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Size

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View the whole Porsche Cayenne 4x4 range

The full Porsche Cayenne review

Performance
5 out of 5 stars
From incredible to ridiculous
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
Puts the latter before the former
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
A fine high-speed cruiser
Buying & Owning
3 out of 5 stars
Expensive to buy and run
Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Feels luxurious; should be dependable
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Everything you’d expect
Behind The Wheel
3 out of 5 stars
Fine driving position; cluttered dash
Space & Practicality
3 out of 5 stars
Seats five, but not seven
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Every model is well equipped

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The basic Porsche Cayenne has a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and the range-topper a turbocharged 4.8-litre V8. However, the engines between these extremes are most appealing.

If performance is your priority, the V8 S is your best bet: it feels almost as quick as the Turbo in real-world driving, yet is massively cheaper.

However, if you can’t stomach the high fuel bills, two other options are cheaper to run and far from slow. The diesel is the most frugal Cayenne, averaging 38.2mpg. Alternatively, if you feel a Porsche should have a petrol engine, there’s the Hybrid S, which combines a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 with an electric motor. It can run solely on electric power around town and when you lift off the throttle at speed, helping it return 34.4mpg.

Those who want to can collect their car from Germany, with a tour of the company’s museum thrown in. What’s more, anyone who buys a Cayenne is eligible for a course at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone.