2021 Porsche Cayenne

The biggest change to the 2021 Porsche Cayenne is the return of the GTS trim. Slotting in between the S and Turbo models, the GTS is now the cheapest way to put a V8 in your Cayenne.

Porsche has also upgraded the plug-in hybrid E-Hybrid models with a larger battery pack. The new version hasn’t yet been tested by the EPA, but it should have a longer range and better efficiency than last year’s model.

The Cayenne is now available in six trim levels: Cayenne, E-Hybrid, S, GTS, Turbo, and Turbo S E-Hybrid. Prices start at $68,850 including destination fees for the base model and climb all the way up to $164,550 for the Turbo S E-Hybrid.

Last year, Porsche added a coupe body style to the Cayenne lineup, following the lead of luxury mega-coupes like the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. Every trim is available as a coupe, at a premium ranging from $3,000 to $9,000. Opting for it gets cheaper higher in the trim ladder.

Each Cayenne trim gets its own powertrain. No Cayenne is slow, but the upper trims will make you question the laws of physics. The range-topping Turbo S E-Hybrid can cover the 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.6 seconds, making it one of the fastest crossover SUVs ever made.

No matter which engine is under the hood, every model sends power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Every Cayenne seats five, and the conventional body style is wide enough to fit five adults comfortably. The coupe loses out on a little space, and it starts with a two-passenger second row. Switching back to a three-person bench is a no-cost option.

The regular body comes out on top for cargo, too, with 27.5 cubic feet behind the seats to the coupe’s 22. Folding the second row opens up capacity to about 60 cubic feet. Neither number is particularly good for the class, and luxury rivals like the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class can haul more.

The Cayenne isn’t likely to be crash tested anytime soon, but it comes with a reasonable set of active safety features. Automatic emergency braking comes standard, as do parking sensors at both ends.

Blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are available in Porsche’s long (and expensive) options list. Safety-minded buyers will want the Assistance Package ($6,250), which brings a head-up display, surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist.

Porsche has followed recent trends in eliminating most buttons in favor of a sprawling 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system takes care of everything from radio to air conditioning, and it can also be controlled via wheel-mounted controls or voice commands. Apple CarPlay is supported, but Android Auto is notably absent.

The options list includes a rear-seat entertainment system as well as a Burmester sound system for audiophiles.

The base Cayenne is by far the cheapest way into the range, but it’s far from spartan. It gets leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation, and eight-way power front seats. On the outside are 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and power-folding side mirrors.

For the most part, Cayenne trims are delineated by powertrain rather than feature availability. If you’re willing to spend enough, the base Cayenne gets nearly as luxurious as a Turbo.

A good place to start is the Premium Package ($6,470), which adds a panoramic roof, blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, and Bose sound, among other perks. If that’s not enough, the Premium Package Plus ($8,950) includes all of the above plus four-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, and heated outboard rear seats.

In most ways, the Cayenne E-Hybrid resembles the base model. The biggest change is the powertrain, which gains a battery pack and an electric motor for a significant power bump up to 455 horsepower. To go with the extra performance, the E-Hybrid gets an electronically controlled damper system with sportier driving modes

The only substantial feature addition is the Sport Chrono Package, which adds launch control and performance tuning to drop the E-Hybrid's 0-60 mph time to 4.7 seconds.

The Cayenne S also mimics the base Cayenne in all but powertrain. Its upgraded engine is the main attraction, though Porsche does include the panoramic roof for good measure. Like the E-Hybrid, it comes with the adjustable dampers and Sport Chrono Package.

The GTS unlocks several noteworthy features within the Cayenne family. It’s the first trim to get a V8 under the hood, and the first to include an adaptive air suspension as a standard feature. The exterior wears 21-inch rims, while the interior mixes leather with a premium textile that Porsche calls Race-Tex.

The Turbo lives up to its name with a prodigious 541 horsepower, which drops the 0-60 time underneath the four-second mark. In addition to all the features of the GTS, the Turbo gets upgraded brakes, adaptive LED headlights, power sport seats with memory settings, and heated seats front and rear. All features in the Premium Package are included at this trim.

The Turbo S E-Hybrid is the king of the Cayenne lineup. It’s capable of driving up to 83 mph on electric power alone, though the gas engine brings total output up to 670 hp and adds another 100 mph to the top speed. The Turbo S E-Hybrid gets the best performance features of the line, including carbon-ceramic brakes, active roll stabilization, and torque vectoring to maximize traction.

Compare Cayenne Trims Side-By-Side