Porsche Cayenne S 2024 Review | Goodwood Test

It’s more than 20 years since Porsche first shocked the world with the original Cayenne, the car that has since been credited with saving the 911, and in that time it has been accepted into the Porsche family as a not-so-evil necessity that still brings in decent sales figures year after year.

Even as the Cayenne grows deep into its third generation, with a fresh update for 2024, nothing much has really changed. The Cayenne S has swayed between V6s and V8s at various stages, but for this latest iteration returns to a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, alongside a new V6 S E-Hybrid option.

There has of course been plenty of progress when it comes to the chassis engineering and the interior, and in that regard this new Cayenne represents quite the refresh. The same great quality remains throughout, though, leaving any driver in no doubt that they’re behind the wheel of a Porsche product.

The big news for the updated Cayenne S is the return of the V8 engine, but while there have been several other changes around the car, you can place the styling into the ‘minor’ category. The headlights and front grille have undergone some gentle reprofiling, subtle changes that deliver a more aggressive-looking front end, but little else has been touched.

Sleeker tail lights have helped to tidy up the rear end, while the exhaust tips have been rounded and the number plate lowered. It’s a sleek shape for such a bulky SUV, and Porsche continues to do a good job of disguising the Cayenne’s size.

It’s a disguise that’s more than skin deep, too, because it can become quite easy to forget that you’re driving a two-tonne SUV when you start picking up a bit of speed on the road. Better than the return of the V8 engine is the way the Cayenne performs across the board, to such an extent that in some cases you can even get away with removing the caveat that this is still an enormous car.

Because ‘even for an SUV’ doesn’t apply to the Cayenne. This car would be good to drive ‘even for a hatchback’. It’s remarkable, actually, a joy to drive. It’s fast, composed and dynamic, and yet as quiet and comfortable as you’d expect from your practical family car. With more than 20 years of development Porsche has managed engrain its core handling into its largest product.

There’s great feel from the sharp and precise steering mated to Porsche’s responsive active suspension that works so well on the Cayenne to keep excess body movement in check. It remains remarkably poised when you’re out on the road, to the point where you’ll suddenly be reminded as you carry speed into a corner that this is still quite the beast.

That’s no problem as you get yourself tuned into the Cayenne though, because the brakes are also phenomenal. They’re consistent, predictable but most importantly incredibly effective. The feel on the pedal is firm and progressive, and you get a response that perfectly mimics your expectation, which means you can build all the speed you want on the straights with the knowledge that you’ll be able to scrub it off no problem when you arrive at a corner.

Building up speed you say? There’s little problem there either, thanks to the returning 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. It’s producing 474PS (349kW) and 600Nm (443lb ft), which aren’t hugely attention-grabbing figures in the grand scheme these days, yet 0-62mph is still possible in five seconds which is plenty quick enough. In an era when we get increasingly used to the instant go of an electric motor, there’s still plenty to be said for the smooth and progressive power delivery of a combustion engine, especially one that’s been pretty sweetly turbocharged to deliver plenty of power at the low end. It sounds pretty good, too.

Porsche is also becoming ever more known for the quality of its interiors, and the updated Cayenne continues that trend with the latest infotainment layout and clean new switchgear on the centre console. The chrome rocker switches for climate settings are slick and tactile, perfect for use without having to take eyes off the road.

The leather steering wheel is chunky and substantial, it feels heavy even before you turn it, and when you do the weight is nicely balanced.

Materials are spot on for the most part, the leather on the dash and the seats are of high quality and finished nicely, but the buttons on the door cards along with the wheel stalks stand out as cheaper components.

A car this size does of course offer plenty of space, and there’s comfortable room for adults in the front and back seats.

The Porsche Cayenne is not cheap, and the designers have clearly understood modern trends when it comes to what people enjoy spending their money on. There’s the option for up to three screens in the dashboard of this car. Firstly, there’s a configurable 12.6-inch instrument cluster complete with night vision mode for the driver’s use. It’s clear and easy to modify to your own preferences in the various settings menus.

Then there’s the standard 12.3-inch infotainment display for the main nav and multimedia functionality. This can be attached to a number of different sound systems, our test car was fitted with the 710-watt, 14-speaker BOSE system, which is pretty good, but we suspect the 21-speaker Burmester option akin to that which we so loved in the Maserati Grecale would be another big step up.

Finally, you can specify a further screen incorporated into the passenger side of the dashboard for their own personal use. It’s fronted with special glass which shields it from the driver’s view to avoid distraction, and can be loaded with all the popular media apps – we even managed to watch a bit of live sport.

There’s really not much to complain about here, which is a problem because Porsche has the confidence to charge a big old wedge for its produce. That said, the price of £91,500 for a Cayenne S does not feel wholly unreasonable at first glance. Then you start adding on the nice shade of Algarve Blue Metallic paint for £2,732, the additional passenger screen for £1,107 and the Burmester sound system for £4,620 and suddenly your Cayenne smashing through the £100,000 barrier.

Does a Cayenne feel like it should be the same price as a Porsche 911? Well, in this form we have to say yes, it’s perhaps the best SUV of this size to drive. It feels assured and competent on the road, predictable and capable when cornering and of course, powered by a pretty sumptuous V8. Before you start splashing out on all the extra shiny bits, the car at its core is very much worth what you’re paying for it. We like this really rather a lot.

Photography by Joe Harding