2024 Porsche Cayenne is Improved in Seemingly Every Way

Published on April 18, 2023 in News by Guillaume Rivard

Porsche chose Auto Shanghai 2023 to celebrate the world debut of the thoroughly revised and improved Cayenne. It’s not a brand new model, just to be clear, but rather a major update to the third generation.

This includes comprehensive changes to the powertrain, chassis, design and equipment. “It’s one of the most extensive product upgrades in the history of Porsche,” says Michael Schätzle, Cayenne Product Line Vice-President.

First of all, a new front end combined with more strongly arched wings, a new hood and redesigned headlights emphasize the SUV’s width. Matrix LED headlights are now standard, while HD units are a new optional feature. With two high-definition modules and more than 32,000 pixels per headlamp, their innovative technology picks out other users and blocks out the light of the high beam with pixel accuracy so as not to dazzle them.

In the rear, Porsche designers gave the 2024 Cayenne three-dimensional taillights, uncluttered surfaces beneath and a new bumper design with integrated licence plate holder. Meanwhile, the exterior palette has been expanded with three new colours, and a new extensive range of 20-, 21- and 22-inch wheels are available.

Porsche Driver Experience

The Porsche Cayenne now boasts a completely revised display and control concept that’s largely derived from the Taycan electric sedan. Functions that the driver uses frequently are located directly on or immediately next to the steering wheel. For example, the lever located on the left behind the steering wheel now has additional functions for operating the driver assistance systems.

The shifter is now on the dashboard, to the right of the steering wheel. This frees up space on the centre console for a large climate control interface with physical switches and touch-sensitive buttons with haptic feedback. Speaking of the console, there’s a bit more storage now, but designers didn’t sacrifice the Cayenne’s grab handles on either side.

For the first time, the Cayenne includes a fully digital 12.6-inch instrument cluster with a curved and free-standing design. It offers up to seven views including a greatly reduced view and a classic mode that transfers the typical Porsche five-tube instrument cluster design into the digital age. An optimized head-up display is available, too.

The standard 12.3-inch centre display with Porsche Communication Management integrates harmoniously into the new dashboard and provides access to all the relevant vehicle functions. Native apps such as Spotify and Apple Music are provided to optimize connectivity in the Cayenne.

Another completely new feature is the optionally integrated 10.9-inch passenger display. This additional touchscreen allows the front passenger to take the strain off the driver, for example by operating the navigation or selecting a media service. Similar to the Jeep Wagoner, special foil ensures that the display cannot be seen from the driver's seat, reducing distraction.

What’s more, Porsche has introduced an innovative air quality system that uses predictive navigation data to detect approaching tunnel entrances and automatically activates air recirculation. Optionally, a sensor detects the level of fine dust particles in the air and passes it through the fine dust filter multiple times if necessary. Furthermore, an ionizer removes many germs and pollutants from the air, which is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers.

Comfort and Performance

The 2024 Porsche Cayenne will come out of the factory with a steel spring suspension including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). New shock absorbers with dual-valve technology and thus separate rebound and compression stages allow optimized performance in all driving situations, the automaker says.

Ride quality can be further enhanced with the new adaptive air suspension with dual-chamber, dual-valve technology. At the same time, this suspension improves driving precision and performance, and reduces body movements in dynamic driving situations. It also offers an even sharper differentiation between Normal, Sport and Sport Plus drive modes.

In addition, there’s a comprehensive range of new and optimized driver assistance systems. These include the active speed limiter, swerve assist, cornering assist and the improved Porsche InnoDrive as part of the adaptive cruise control.

More Power

As mentioned earlier, engine selection has been updated, as well. The entry into the world of the Cayenne comes with an optimized 3.0-litre V6 turbo engine that now generates 348 horsepower (+13) and 368 lb-ft. of torque (+36).

The same six-cylinder also forms the basis for the powertrain of the Cayenne E-Hybrid. In combination with a new electric motor that has been improved to 174 horsepower (+40), combined output increases to 468 horsepower (+13). The high-voltage battery capacity increased from 17.9 kWh to 25.9 kWh, while a new 9.6kW on-board charger shortens the level-2 charging time to less than 2.5 hours. Pure EV range is not specified yet, but it should be significantly longer than the current 27 km.

A twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 replaces the previous V6 engine in the new Cayenne S. With 468 horsepower (+34) and 442 lb-ft. of torque (+37), it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. What about the Cayenne Turbo GT? Once again available exclusively as a coupe, this model now generates 650 horsepower (+19) from its twin-turbo V8 and sprints from 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. Lightweight sports packages can make it up to 33 lbs lighter.

How Much?

In Canada, Porsche is offering the new 2024 Cayenne starting at $89,800 in SUV configuration or $95,400 for the Cayenne Coupe. The E-Hybrid variant starts at $104,800 and $109,400, respectively. Pricing goes up to $218,300 in the case of the top-line Cayenne Turbo GT.

The new models are available to order now, with deliveries starting mid-summer. The Car Guide will put the 2024 Cayenne to the test for the first time in California in the second week of May, so don’t miss our review.