The 2023 Porsche Cayenne is impressive on many levels. It's among the most fun-to-drive models in its class and backs it up with an impressive interior and plenty of opportunity for customization. This Cayenne builds a strong case for buyers whose life circumstances preclude a 911.
Part of the third Cayenne generation introduced for 2019
What is the Cayenne?
There's a case to be made that the Porsche Cayenne is the most perfect vehicle you can buy. Don't believe us? Even the base Cayenne offers rapid acceleration and impressive handling attributes, and that's before you consider the sporty GTS or bonkers-fast Turbo S E-Hybrid. At the same time, the Cayenne offers plenty of passenger and cargo space, and the genuinely comfortable ride is shocking given its performance abilities. Dollar for dollar (and you will be handing over many of them for the Cayenne), this Porsche is one of the most well-rounded vehicles on the market.
Recent spy photos have shown a mild face-lift to the exterior and a few updates to the interior for the 2023 Cayenne. The horizontal strakes on the grille are more prominent than before, and there are no more air inlets on the lower portion of the front bumper. Inside, the Cayenne sports the toggle shifter first seen on the current-generation 911, and the haptic touch panel on the center console appears to be smaller than in the existing Cayenne.
Prospective buyers looking to get the latest and greatest version of Porsche's popular midsize SUV might want to wait until the 2023 Cayenne is unveiled. If you're in the market for a luxury crossover now, however, the 2022 Porsche Cayenne should be one of the first vehicles you take for a test drive.
Edmunds says
We believe that a handful of exterior and interior updates are in store for the 2023 Porsche Cayenne. That said, today's Cayenne is one of the most desirable vehicles in its class, and we couldn't blame you if you didn't want to wait.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.76 per gallon for premium unleaded in Washington.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Porsche Cayenne from 2008-2022.
$776/yr
vs. $602/yr for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
1.98x/yr
vs. 1.09x/yr for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
15.6%
vs. 9.4% for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
2020 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
My new Cayenne 2020 S had three different issues within the first week. The are four (4) different rattling noises, a dangerous braking issue (sudden jolts forward when you're trying to slow down) and an app that rarely connects. I'm now fighting with the dealership as they say these issues are "normal". Suffice to say, I've filed a complaint with the NHTSA and will pursue other legal … and non-legal means until they resolve this.
I would strongly recommend not buying the Cayenne. The breaking issue simply makes it unsafe.
Drives great but problems on brand new vehicle
1 out of 5 stars
JP, 12/16/2021
2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A)
After 2000 KM a rattling noise started, I thought it was just a slight rattle on a heat shield at low RPM, and was only intermittent. The throttle felt odd at times but I just attributed it to me not being accustomed to the transmission. By 2800 KM the rattling noise was very loud and heard all the time. Emergency brake sensor issue. First they blamed bad gas, problem continues after … they drain gas and put in new gas. Also I have a 2014 ML63 that I fill up at all the same gas stations, no problems for almost 7 years. Took 3 months - They changed Motor, Turbos and Throttle Body. Told emergency brake sensor will arrive in 30 days. Now after 500KM of driving the rattling sound has returned intermittently and today was very loud, appointment at dealership tomorrow morning. Have owned this vehicle 6 months and only been able to drive it about 10 weeks.
A Driver’s SUV
5 out of 5 stars
Brian L, 08/05/2020
2020 Porsche Cayenne 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Excellent vehicle. Buy a Cayenne if...
-You want the best handling mid-sized SUV in the world. Great handling, road feel, break feel. Look at Car and Driver ratings.
-You want a refined, elegant interior (after upgrades) that doesn’t look like a futuristic Japanese robot.
-You want a luxury SUV which is less common than an X5 or GLE
-You want to have fun, but you also want a big comfy … seat.
-You want a highly reliable brand.
-You can afford to pay over $1000 per year in regular maintenance.
Issues to be aware of:
2019 was the first model year. Early builds have some gremlins.
Infotainment has occasional bugs, but nothing compared to an X5.
Breaks can be crunchy or make squealing noise.
..... maybe because PORSCHE was supposed to be "the little extra" that I expected from this kind of a luxury vehicle,,, but no. I purchased the car late 2019 and it was delivered to me the 20th of December (2019) so I have now owned my Cayenne for one year and soon 3 months with a today 30 thousand km on the meter. Problems started already from the first week with gear shifter that … didn´t want to enter D nor R after starting up, had to turn off and on ignition two or three times before it worked, I thought perhaps I was not holding down the brake pedal hard enough or to hard just because I was not be completely familier yet with the new car...? Then, before reporting this issue, I experienced a couple of times that the car was unlocked and the hatch door wide open when I came to the car in the morning?? Luckily I was at my own house with a good secured parking and with video surveillance so I went through the videos minute by minute and saw the hatch door when it opened.... it was a cat walking under the tail bumper that set off the automatic door opener ... the problem is that my bedroom, where my key was is about 60 meters away from the car?? Also the fuel lid started to open while I was driving on the highway. So. of course I then went to the Porsche Center (3 hours drive) to seek out the problems and after one day at the garage they told me that the problem should now have been resolved by a compleate update of the computer good service and polite personel, top! I drive back home and expected all being as it should BUT... when parking my car in the garage the hatch door opens by it self and scratches off the car paint towards the brick wall..pfff I called the Porsche Center and they promissed to do their very best to solve this and of course to have the door fixed and painted but to give them a bit time while contacting the Porsche main office in order to see if it is a known problem with a solution. Same weekend I went on a beach trip with my family when the car was impossible to open with the electronic key so I took out the manual key but not even that could open the car, it was dead and compleatly locked... Four hours later the Porsche team came with a service car and a Macan to borrow me while my own Cayenne was at the garage, also good service, but now I really started to regret my purchase. The weeks that followed continued with the same problems with basically electronic issues and updates after updates without solving the issues, so I started to communicate with the sales guy and the directour of Porsche to find a solution, I offered even to exchange my Cayenne for a Panemera and pay the differance of more than 100.000 US$ but they offered me in exchange to give me 90.000 US$ for the Cayenne (that I seven months before paid 150.000 US$ for) and delivery of the new car in May-June 2021. By the way, to understand the prices, we are living in Costa Rica, Central America. I still drive the Porsche (with all the problems) since Porsche is not able to fix the shitty Cayenne nor willing to solve it by exchanging it within reasonable terms. I am now waiting for my new BMW X5M Competition, BMW gave me 110.000 US$ for the Cayenne and a discount of 8%, they deliver my new car in April and I get to drive the Cayenne till then without restriction on km or other issues, that is service with respect and honor!! PORSCHE, LEARN YOUR LESSON
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Porsche Cayenne, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cayenne since its last redesign.