2026 Porsche Cayenne

The 2026 Porsche Cayenne is what happens when a car is far more than the sum of its parts. Where some may see another five-passenger midsize luxury SUV, those who've driven a Cayenne know it drives surprisingly well.

Porsche isn't the only automaker to target the sporty side of midsize luxury SUVs. Key rivals include the BMW X5, Polestar 3, Mercedes GLE AMG models, and the Lucid Gravity.

Interested in the swoopier Cayenne variant? Check out the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, a design-focused fastback SUV, here.

What’s New

The 2026 Porsche Cayenne offers more standard equipment than before:

• Updated USB-C ports can share power across two ports to deliver 60 watts
• Porsche Connect is now free for 10 years. Porsche Connect is the automaker's way of connecting you to your car's features, and it's also how you can add apps to the infotainment system
• A four-year data pass is now included
• The Amazon Alexa digital assistant has been integrated into the SUV

Newly optional features include:

• Dolby Atmos tech for Bose and Burmester sound systems. When using audio sources that support Dolby Atmos, the feature can enhance sound quality

What We Think

Few SUVs have the breadth of models the 2026 Cayenne does, and Porsche has really refined the formula over the years. Even the Cayenne V-6 offers some thrills, which is great news considering that base model starts just below $90,000.

Further up the trim ladder you'll find V-8 engines and plug-in hybrids up to a 729-hp Turbo E-Hybrid model that combines both.

For this kind of money, many luxury SUVs offer interiors with more intuitive controls and some have more spacious cargo areas. But if your key metric is whether a midsize SUV can put a smile on your face, the 2026 Cayenne deserves a look.

Top-Ranked Competitors:

• Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (especially the AMGs)
• BMW X5
• Lucid Gravity
• Polestar 3

MotorTrend Tested

Five of the six Cayenne trims have gone through MotorTrend testing. All are satisfyingly quick, especially for an SUV.

A competitor like the BMW X5 is almost as quick, whether it’s the 40i base trim, which can launch to 60 mph in an estimated 5.2 seconds, or the top X5 M model, which needs just 3.7 seconds to reach 60 mph.

2026 Cayenne

• Drivetrain: AWD

• Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6

• Horsepower/Torque: 348 hp/368 lb-ft

• Efficiency (city/highway): 17/23 mpg*

• Acceleration (0–60 mph): 5.1 seconds

2026 Cayenne E-Hybrid (plug-in hybrid)

• Drivetrain: AWD

• Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 and electric motor

• Horsepower/Torque: 463 hp/479 lb-ft

• Efficiency (combined): 53 mpg-e*

• Acceleration (0–60 mph): 4.5 seconds

2026 Cayenne S

• Drivetrain: AWD

• Engine: 4.0-liter turbocharged V-8

• Horsepower/Torque: 468 hp/442 lb-ft

• Efficiency (city/highway): 16/21 mpg*

• Acceleration (0–60 mph): 4.1 seconds

2026 Cayenne S E-Hybrid (plug-in hybrid)

• Drivetrain: AWD

• Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 and electric motor

• Horsepower/Torque: 512 hp/553 lb-ft

• Efficiency (combined): 52 mpg-e*

• Acceleration (0–60 mph): 4.4 seconds (manufacturer est.)

2026 Cayenne GTS

• Drivetrain: AWD

• Engine: 4.0-liter turbocharged V-8

• Horsepower/Torque: 493 hp/486 lb-ft

• Efficiency (city/highway): 15/22 mpg*

• Acceleration (0–60 mph): 3.9 seconds

2026 Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid (plug-in hybrid)

• Drivetrain: AWD

• Engine: 4.0-liter turbocharged V-8 and electric motor

• Horsepower/Torque: 729 hp/700 lb-ft

• Efficiency (combined): 47 mpg-e

• Acceleration (0–60 mph): 3.2 seconds

*2025 EPA-rated fuel economy

Cayenne E-Hybrid Range and Charging

Plug-in hybrid versions of the Cayenne come with the E-Hybrid moniker and some all-electric driving range. Here’s how they compare:

• Cayenne E-Hybrid: 460-mile total range; 29 miles electric
• Cayenne S E-Hybrid: 430-mile total range; 27 miles electric
• Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid: 390-mile total range; 24 miles electric

Competitors like the BMW X5 xDrive50e and Mercedes-Benz GLE450e 4Matic have smaller fuel tanks, and the latter only has four cylinders, so their all-electric range is better but overall range is about the same as the Cayenne E-Hybrid.

The X5 50e is rated for 39 miles of all-electric and 440 miles of total range, while the GLE450e is rated for 50 miles of all-electric and 450 miles of total range.

What this means is that the Mercedes is a great choice for commuters who can plug in almost every day when they come home. Those who do can go a long time without having to refuel. However, the Porsche remains the best to drive of the three.

Cayenne E-Hybrid PHEVs charge as quickly as 11 kW on a level 2 charger; that’s pretty quick for a plug-in hybrid.

Safety Features

Several driver-assist technologies are standard with the Cayenne, including:

• Self-parking via Active Parking Assist and Self Steering ParkAssist
• Warn and Brake Assist automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, and road sign monitoring
• Lane Keep Assist
• 360-degree camera

Cargo Space

Non-hybrid Cayenne models deliver the most cargo capacity in the lineup. A rival like the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is more spacious than the Porsche, though.

Cargo Space (seats up/down)

• 2026 Cayenne, S, GTS: 27.3/60.3 cubic feet
• 2026 Cayenne E-Hybrid, S E-Hybrid: 22.1/55.2 cubic feet
• 2026 Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid: 21.9/55.0 cubic feet
• 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: 31.5–33.3/74.9 cubic feet

Technology

Infotainment

A 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 12.6-inch driver display are standard, but the cabin can also be outfitted with an available 10.9-inch front passenger screen. Every 2026 Cayenne features Apple CarPlay and a wireless phone charger as well.

Sound System

Base models are outfitted with 10 speakers. Bose 14-speaker and Burmester 3D High-End 21-speaker sound systems are also available.

Available Upgrades

Heated rear seats, a panoramic roof, and LED matrix headlights are also on offer. No longer optional as of last year, soft-close doors are now included with every Cayenne. The luxury feature is a convenience unique to higher-end premium cars.

Value

Standard Features

Big cabin screens and plenty of standard driver assists are all well and good, but we’re in for the Cayenne’s capability. You can trust that every model comes standard with the sportiness you expect of a proper Porsche.

Recommended Trim

The heart wants one of the throaty V-8 Cayennes like the S or GTS, but the head says E-Hybrid plug-in hybrids are the smarter everyday choice. The Cayenne S is our choice for a good driving experience backed by a classic V-8 sound.