Porsche Cayenne 2024: update brings fresh tech and more power to high-performance SUV

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Revealed with minor exterior changes, Porsche has pulled the covers off the updated Cayenne SUV at the Shanghai Motor Show. 

As is the case with most mid-cycle facelifts, the changes are deeper than just aesthetics, with the big Porsche getting new technology inside, and each engine option benefiting from a bump in power. 

Porsche Australia has confirmed that the local release date of this new Cayenne will occur in the third quarter of this year, and local order books are already open. 

Priced from $140,200, the base Cayenne wagon entry point is now $5100 up on the outgoing version ($135,100).

The updated Cayenne range will face competition from its traditional rivals in the form of the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, and the Audi Q8 – plus emerging luxury electric vehicles such as the Polestar 3 and BMW iX. 

Full digital cockpit replaces analog cluster 

As reported on by Chasing Cars, Porsche has completely done away with the Cayenne’s part-analogue instrument cluster, replacing it with a fully-digital unit similar to the one found in the Taycan EV. 

For the first time Porsche has moved from a partially analogue cluster to a fully digital display in a combustion-powered model. The Cayenne features a curved digital unit measuring 12.6 inches.

Keeping with the Taycan theme, Porsche also added the gear selector tab that sits next to the steering wheel to the Cayenne. This means that the centre console is reserved exclusively for the analog climate controls. 

In the centre of the dash sits a 12.3-inch infotainment display headlined by wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. Integrated apps such as Spotify and Apple Music are also offered with this system. 

A 10.9-inch display that sits above the glove box is now optional on the Cayenne. This screen gives passengers the ability to use the entertainment and navigation systems without the driver being distracted. 

Subtle exterior changes come to Cayenne

On the outside, this new Cayenne isn’t a drastic departure from the previous iteration, with the same overall design language remaining. 

The biggest changes can be found in the head and tail light designs, where both assemblies now have slimmer and sleeker appearance.

Porsche notes that Matrix LED headlights are now a standard feature across the range, with HD Matrix LED becoming an optional feature. 

As a whole, it seems that Porsche has taken inspiration from the Taycan and has borrowed some styling from the upcoming Macan EV for this updated Cayenne. The electric Macan inspiration is especially obvious in the new headlights.

More power across entire range 

Porsche has confirmed that the updated Cayenne will debut in Australia with three engine options. 

Starting from $140,200, the entry-level Cayenne is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 engine that makes 260kW and 500Nm. This represents an increase of 10kW and 50Nm of torque over the outgoing tune. 

Next in the range is the Cayenne E-Hybrid at $155,900, which makes use of the same turbocharged V6 engine as the base model. A new electric motor adds 130kW, a lift of 30kW over the old motor spec, bringing combined power to 346kW. 

The E-Hybrid also benefits from a larger 25.9kWh battery, up from 17.9kWh, as well as an 11kW onboard charger that will reportedly reduce charge times. 

Though Porsche hasn’t given a range figure for this new E-Hybrid, with a battery that’s 44 per cent bigger than the last, and considering that the old model had an electric driving range of 47km, we can expect this new range to be between 60 and 75km. 

At $181,000, the Cayenne S had gained an extra two cylinders with Porsche replacing the old 2.9L bi-turbo V6 with the 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 that was previously offered on higher-grade models. The new eight-cylinder version represents a price increase of $4900.

With 349kW and 600Nm on tap, this new Cayenne S gets an extra 25kW and 50Nm and is claimed to be able to hit 100km/h in 4.7-seconds. 

Keeping its spot as Porsche’s flagship SUV is the coupe-only Cayenne Turbo GT, which has retained the 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine. A 14kW increase in power brings its peak output to a lofty 485kW. 

Despite this bump in power, the Turbo GT’s 0-100km/h time has remained the same as the last iteration at 3.3 seconds. 

Porsche has also upgraded both the steel- and air-sprung suspension systems, with two-valve damping technology for the former and a two-chamber/two-valve format for the latter design. 

Porsche Cayenne 2024: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Cayenne: $140,200 (+$5100)
• Cayenne Coupé: $148,200 (+$2300)
• Cayenne E-Hybrid: $155,900 (+$3400)
• Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupé: $161,600 (+$500)
• Cayenne S: $181,000 (+$4900)
• Cayenne S Coupé: $190,000 (+$4200)
• Cayenne Turbo GT Coupé: $366,200 (+$13500)