2024 Porsche Cayenne | Still Great, Is it Worth It?

We reviewed the updated 2024 Porsche Cayenne, one of the best-performance luxury SUVs in the world. The updates come at a steep price, and we discuss who this is for and what you are getting. Few can match the performance. Others to consider are Audi Q5, BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, and Genesis GV80.

#cars #technology #engineering

Index:
00:00 Interior and Exterior
3:44 Mechanical Impressions
8:39 Driving Impressions
14:58 Final Thoughts

[blaken]

Imagine being one of the farmers on that road, twice a week seeing a new car go by at 100mph

[tonysterbenc]

Thanks as always for evaluating vehicles honestly through the lens of meeting their intended purpose for an actual buyer. There will be no shortage of YouTube and print reviewers whose analysis of this car won't extend beyond wetting themselves over it. We depend on you for this instead.

[Drew_Koch]

Ugh removing the analog tachometer is such a let down. Looks so much cheaper without it. Porsche's tach was always like a nice timepiece. Just looked classy. Can't wait to see the reactions when they remove it from the cars...

[jasonquinn]

It's criminal this channel hasn't hit a million subs yet.
The bar set by SG in terms of quality of production and information seems to be miles beyond any other cartubers on here.

[heathergreylive]

Mark's wry smirk as he's gathering his thoughts and being pitched around like a barrel at sea will never fail to get a giggle out of me.

[morganvon]

As a 911 owner, I completely agree the Cayenne is too much money. But I just bought a 2016 Cayenne turbo (certified) for 44k. It has new tires and brakes and looks and drives like new. These vehicles depreciate rapidly and that makes them a great buy on the used market (unlike the 911).

[mstopek]

not every SUV has to be geared for the mass market and have the most space. Mazda and Porsche have found good niches and they make extremely fun and sporty vehicles. There are plenty of other options out there if you want big and soft, but there are those of us that will sacrifice a little bit of utility for driving engagement and fun. Glad these vehicles exist. just recently got a Mazda, CX, 90 after testing the Kia telluride, and Hyundai palisade, and Toyota grand Highlander, and the Mazda is so much better for me personally.

[Engineer_with_cars]

I’ve had a new 2024 cayenne S since early September. It’s my 8th Porsche and second Cayenne. Great vehicle. Great engine. However, I agree it is too expensive. Porsche prices have increased 15%-20% in the last 3 years. Enough is enough. As great as the cayenne S is for what it is supposed to be, it’s too expensive.
This will probably be my last cayenne and with the hassle buying a 911 has become, may be my last new Porsche.

[gonepostal]

My problem with the Cayenne has always been the same, until you get up to the GTS and the Turbo models, these things look absolutely NPC on the road. This S model is a perfect example. Incredibly capable vehicle, utterly anonymous.

[The_Noticer.]

8:45 i know it looks ridiculous but that is impressive body control for a boat as this.

[terryjennings]

You nailed the Porsche buyer - I had a 2008 Cayman, my wife a 2019 Macan and both vehicles put a smile on our faces every time we drove them. No other cars we've owned provide so much driving pleasure and excitement. We're retired now in our early sixties and just ordered a 2024 Cayenne S - my wife simply wouldn't have the base model and I couldn't argue with her! We just stopped full-time RVing with a 43' 27, 000 lb New Horizons RV pulled by a RAM 5500, a somewhat scary move we made back in 2020, but we have a lot of great memories for that crazy decision. Same here, we know we have fewer years left to truly enjoy life and are doing our best to live life to the fullest!

[MHishamBashir]

There’s the Cayenne and then there’s every other 2 row SUV. Yes it’s expensive, but for a reason. It’s a niche product and caters to people who value driving dynamics above all else. I have owned Range Rover sport SVR, several X5’s, Audi Q8 and GLE. The cayenne is by far my favorite of them all. Fast, amazing handling, very comfortable and a great off roader. What else could one want from a high end luxury SUV? I understand people wanting more practicality/space etc from their SUV but if that’s more important then people should consider other options.

That said, for people with more than a modicum of financial sense, it’s a terrible vehicle to purchase new. The depreciation is brutal. I thought I was being smart when I purchased my then 4 yr old 2014 Cayenne Turbo S for $70k with 25k miles (MSRP $164k). After 5 years and with 85k miles I toyed with the idea of trading it in on a 911 but was offered a laughable $20k for it. I decided to keep it.

As for maintenance, it is straight forward and reasonably priced if one does DIY for basic stuff. If buying used I would highly recommend an exclusionary extended warranty for the longest term/mileage possible. Mine has already paid out $15k+ for stuff like leaking valve cover gaskets, control arms and air suspension repair, which is still an ongoing issue that the dealership service department has been trying to fix for the past 8 months while I drive an absurdly overpriced 2024 base Macan ($75k) loaner. Despite all its issues, I’d still get another Cayenne, just not new, and with extended warranty, because no other SUV drives like it.

[erajasadi]

Really love the way you guys discuss the pros and cons of the vehicles you review. I love this new Cayenne, but like Mark would NEVER buy another one after my last experience with a Cayenne S. That was a 2016 that I purchased for $85, 000 (which, frankly, is where this gen should be priced, not at $135K). Put 60, 000 miles on it and went to trade it in for a new one...and was offered $25, 000 by a Porsche dealer in my area (Northern NJ). I was stunned. Ever since, I've watched how used Cayenne's depreciate - and frankly, what happens to them is similar to what happens to most luxury SUVs, including Range Rovers...just about 50% depreciation after 3 years. I'm sorry, but that's just throwing money out the window; fine if you've got it and don't feel it, but that doesn't work for me. A similarly priced new 911 will still be worth around 90% of what it cost brand new after three years...these luxo boats are for the wealthy, not for Porsche lovers who have saved all their life for a model from this iconic brand

[crossroadz]

Mark nailed it. I had a Cayenne diesel but sold it because I couldn't even fit my lawnmower in it. It was a fantastic highway cruiser that reminded me of the '80s Mercedes turbodiesel sedans. The range was excellent and even towed well but just didn't have the utility of other SUVs.

[macraefishburn]

As someone who drives the previous generation (2019) model often, I agree with the points made that the interior doesn't function as well as it's rivals. It lacks a lot of storage space for larger items. I often find myself moving my phone two or more times in a single drive just because there isn't a good place to keep it. You definitely give up some interior "norms" for that crest on the hood. Me personally, I would gladly give them up every single time. I guess that makes me the demographic Porsche aimed for. I grew up around the big German SUV's, I've spent a lot of time in them, and the Cayenne has always been my personal favorite, but I do agree you give up a lot of other usable features, like storage, in the pursuit of driving feel and connection. A GLS is much larger, much more space. That space is very noticeable while driving however. The X5 is similar in size, but in my opinion lost it's soul along it's journey to it's current version. The Rover does plush unlike anyone else, but you won't want to throw it around a corner like a Cayenne begs to be. Simply put if you have the money for any of them, go test drive them all before you make a decision. Don't just read/watch reviews online. Do the leg work, put up with the salesmen, and see which one you genuinely want to live with. Great and honest review. Keep it up guys.

[AllIsWell_]

Having watched this video, one thing was obvious. Jack is the guy that would advocate for a $500 shovel if it had a Porsche badge on it.

[singular]

Man, its almost like there is a greater and greater gap between the rich and the poor and porsche has become the embodiment of it.

[angelamartin]

After driving several SUV's, I decided on the Cayenne. I don't need a lot of space, but wanted something sporty and fun to drive. I just ordered it a couple weeks ago. I'm so excited to get out of my big SUV and into something smaller. The cabin is so quiet and seats are comfy.

[WRL]

My wife drives a 2024 Cayenne V6. Compared to her previous Cayenne (2019), this one drives much better. To me, the 2019 was the least Porsche like compared to all the Cayenne models that came before it. I like the subtle styling updates to the exterior, and the rear doesn’t look bloated like the previous model. The interior is a mixed bag, and I agree with a lot of the criticisms. Even with the full leather upgrade, it’s lost some of the quality/look/touch of the previous generation. However, unlike most other manufacturers that stick giant displays in front of the driver and center stack, Porsche fully integrates the displays for a nice, finished look. The price increase from the 2019 model is substantial. Without going crazy with options, her Cayenne is right at $100K, and to me, it doesn’t feel that special inside. But, and here’s the big one, it drives so much better than anything in its class. It is comfortable when you want it to be, but if you want to drive it in a sporty manner, you will immediately understand the time and money Porsche spent on chassis development and tuning.

[Jesse-yosh]

A quick comment on Mark's theory that Porsche and Mazda don't understand the SUV market: I think they do, but they also understand they can't compete with the volume leaders. Instead of going for the largest market share (people who want lots of space, storage, and practicality, ) they're focusing on the segment of people who do prioritize driving dynamics and character. There might not be enough of us to make them the volume leaders, but there's a large enough market segment to make their offering profitable.