Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne: generations compared: what actually changed

Porsche Cayenne is listed here as six catalogue generations (the restyles are separate rows, not a seventh model). Every generation is SUV 5-doors and AWD.

Porsche Cayenne is listed here as six catalogue generations (the restyles are separate rows, not a seventh model). Every generation is SUV 5-doors and AWD.

1 generation (2002-12-01 to 2007-01-31) is the heaviest-feeling entry by power: the 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT at 250 hp need 9.1 s and 9.7 s to 100 km/h. Tank 100 l, clearance 215 mm on six of seven versions (217 mm on 4.5 AT 500 hp). Mixed consumption is not measured on 4.5 MT 340 hp, 3.2 AT 250 hp, and 4.5 AT 340 hp. Euro class is Euro 4 only on 4.5 AT 500 hp; the others are not measured.

1 generation, restyling (2007-02-01 to 2010-03-31) keeps the 100 l tank and 215 mm clearance, adds Diesel 3.0 AT 240 hp (8.3 s, 9.3 l/100 km mixed), and raises the petrol ceiling to 4.8 AT 550 hp (4.8 s, 280 km/h). CO2 and Euro class are not measured on all nine versions.

2 generation (2010-03-01 to 2014-07-31) cuts the tank to 85 l, keeps 215 mm clearance, and is the first generation with Hybrid (3.0 AT 333 hp, 8.2 l/100 km mixed, 193 g/km). Diesel 3.0 AT 245 hp is 7.2 l/100 km mixed; Diesel 4.1 AT 382 hp has 850 Nm — the joint highest torque until later plug-ins. Gasoline 4.8 AT appears four times: 400, 420, 500, and 550 hp. Wheels are not measured.

2 generation, restyling (2014-07-01 to 2018-05-31) raises the tank back to 100 l and drops clearance to 190 mm (178 mm on 3.6 AT 440 hp). Diesel 3.0 AT exists at 211, 245, and 262 hp — same 2967 cm³, three outputs. Plug-in 3.0 AT 416 hp appears. Top petrol is 4.8 AT 570 hp (4.1 s, 284 km/h). Mixed consumption on the Plug-in 3.0 AT 416 hp is not measured.

3 generation (2017-06-01 to 2023-03-31) drops the tank to 75 l, deletes Diesel, and splits petrol into 2995 / 2894 / 3996 cm³. Clearance is 190 mm on the six-cylinder cars and 162 mm on the 3996 cm³ cars. Eight versions, two duplicate names: two 4.0 AT Turbo (680 hp Plug-in vs 550 hp Gasoline) and two 3.0 AT (340 hp Gasoline vs 462 hp Plug-in).

3 generation, restyling (from 2023-04-01) keeps 75 l. Gasoline 3.0 AT rises from 340 to 353 hp (+13 hp) at the same 1985 kg; 0–100 km/h, top speed, city, highway, mixed, CO2, and Euro class on that 3.0 AT are not measured. Plug-in names change to E-Hybrid 3.0 AT, S E-Hybrid S 3.0 AT, and Turbo E-Hybrid 4.0 AT. 4.0 AT GTS starts 2024-04-01 at 500 hp vs 460 hp in the previous generation (+40 hp) but 0–100 is 4.4 s vs 4.2 s, and mixed use is 13.3 vs 11.4 l/100 km.

Engines and specs

Fuel grade in data: 98 on most petrols; 95 on 3 generation Plug-in 3.0 AT 462 hp and on several 2 generation, restyling petrol/plug-in rows; Diesel where labelled Diesel. Direct injection (direct) and Front, longitudinal apply across the measured petrol/plug-in set in 3 generation. Suspension on 3 generation versions is Independent, spring front and rear; brakes Ventilated disc front and Disc ventilated rear.

Performance and economy

Quickest 0–100 km/h in the catalogue is 4.0 AT Turbo GT at 3.3 s (3 generation), then Turbo E-Hybrid 4.0 AT at 3.7 s and Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo 680 hp at 3.8 s. Slowest measured is 3.2 AT 9.7 s (1 generation). 3 generation, restyling 3.0 AT 353 hp has 0–100 km/h not measured.

Highest listed top speed is 300 km/h on 4.0 AT Turbo GT; 295 km/h on both Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo 680 hp and Turbo E-Hybrid 4.0 AT. Diesel tops out at 252 km/h (4.1 AT both 2-generation rows). 3.0 AT 353 hp top speed is not measured.

Mixed consumption, where measured: Plug-in 3.0 AT 462 hp and the three restyle hybrids with a figure share 2.5 l/100 km; Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo 680 hp is 3.3. Gasoline in 3 generation runs 9.3 (3.0 AT 340 hp and 3.0 AT Platinum Edition) to 11.9 (4.0 AT Turbo GT). City and highway on both 3 generation plug-ins and on most restyle versions are not measured. 4.0 AT GTS restyle mixed 13.3 is 1.9 l/100 km above the previous 4.0 AT GTS 11.4.

Lowest Diesel mixed is 6.8 l/100 km on 2 generation, restyling 3.0 AT 245 hp and 262 hp (and the 211 hp row uses the same 6.8). 2 generation 3.0 AT 245 hp is 7.2. Hybrid 3.0 AT 333 hp is 8.2 — higher mixed than those diesels.

CO2: lowest measured 58 g/km on Plug-in 3.0 AT 462 hp; 75 g/km on Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo 680 hp; 79 g/km on restyle-era Plug-in 3.0 AT 416 hp. Gasoline 3 generation 4.0 AT Turbo 550 hp is 264 g/km; 4.0 AT Turbo GT 271; restyle 4.0 AT GTS 303. Euro 6 on 3 generation; Euro 5 on 2 generation; restyle 3 generation Euro class is not measured except where a version still carries a number (CO2 303 on 4.0 AT GTS). Many 1-generation CO2 values are not measured.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Kerb weight span: 1985 kg (3 generation 3.0 AT 340 hp, 3.0 AT Platinum Edition, and restyle 3.0 AT 353 hp) to 2490 kg (Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo 680 hp). That 680 hp car is 315 kg heavier than Gasoline 4.0 AT Turbo 550 hp (2175 kg) for +130 hp and 0.3 s quicker 0–100 (3.8 vs 4.1). 4.0 AT Turbo GT is 2220 kg — 45 kg more than the 550 hp Turbo, 420 kg less than the 680 hp Plug-in Turbo — and 0.8 s quicker than the 550 hp car.

Gross weight: 2765 kg on 4.0 AT Turbo GT (payload 545 kg) up to 3080 kg on several 1-generation V8s. Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo 680 hp is 3075 kg gross (payload 585 kg). 3.0 AT 340 hp is 2830 kg gross (payload 845 kg).

Ground clearance: 217 mm on 1-generation 4.5 AT 500 hp; 215 mm on other 1-generation and all 2 generation rows; 190 mm on 2 generation, restyling (178 mm on 3.6 AT 440 hp) and on 3 generation six-cylinder cars; 162 mm on 3 generation 3996 cm³ cars; 190 mm again on 3 generation, restyling, including Turbo E-Hybrid 4.0 AT.

Tank: 100 l (1 generation, 1 restyling, 2 restyling) → 85 l (2 generation) → 75 l (both 3-generation rows). That is 25 l less fuel on board than the first cars.

Wheels: not measured on 1 generation, 1 restyling, and 2 generation. 2 generation, restyling lists 255/55 R18, 265/50 R19, 275/45 R20, 295/35 R21 on several diesels and petrols; 3.6 AT 440 hp uses 275/45 R20 and 295/35 R21. 3 generation six-cylinders (except Platinum) use 255/55 R19 and 275/50 R19; 3996 cm³ cars and 3.0 AT Platinum Edition use 285/40 R21 and 315/35 R21. Restyle 4.0 AT GTS adds 285/45 R21, 315/40 R21, 285/40 R22, 315/35 R22.

Which version to choose

Daily petrol, lowest mass — buy 3.0 AT 340 hp (3 generation) or 3.0 AT 353 hp (3 generation, restyling). Same 1985 kg, same 75 l tank, same 190 mm clearance, same 2995 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, Turbo, Automatic 8, AWD. The restyle adds 13 hp and 50 Nm (500 vs 450). Specific output 113.5 hp/l vs 117.9 hp/l. The older car has measured 6.2 s, 245 km/h, 11.3 / 8.1 / 9.3 l/100 km and 212 g/km Euro 6. The newer 3.0 AT leaves 0–100, top speed, consumption, CO2, and Euro class not measured — you are buying 13 hp without a measured economy line in this catalogue. 3.0 AT Platinum Edition is the 340 hp car with 21-inch wheels instead of 19-inch; mass and times are identical.

Step up 100 hp without a V8 — 2.9 AT S (3 generation). 440 hp from 2894 cm³ is 152.0 hp/l, the densest petrol six in 3 generation. Versus 3.0 AT 340 hp: +100 hp, +100 Nm, −101 cm³, +35 kg, −1.0 s (5.2 vs 6.2), +20 km/h (265 vs 245), mixed +0.5 l (9.8 vs 9.3), CO2 +11 g/km (223 vs 212). Same 190 mm, same 19-inch pair, same 75 l. You pay consumption that is almost unchanged for a one-second gap.

Plug-in six if you want the 2.5 l/100 km mixed figure — 3.0 AT 462 hp (3 generation), then E-Hybrid 3.0 AT / S E-Hybrid S 3.0 AT (restyling). 462 vs 340 hp on the same 2995 cm³: +122 hp, +250 Nm, +310 kg (2295 vs 1985), 5.0 vs 6.2 s, 253 vs 245 km/h, mixed 2.5 vs 9.3, CO2 58 vs 212. City and highway not measured on the plug-in. Fuel 95 vs 98. Restyle E-Hybrid 3.0 AT is 472 hp / 500 Nm / 4.9 s / 254 km/h / mixed 2.5; S E-Hybrid S 3.0 AT is 519 hp / 765 Nm / 4.7 s / 263 km/h / mixed 2.5. All three restyle hybrids share 2295 / 3030 kg and 190 mm. S E-Hybrid S 3.0 AT is 173.3 hp/l; it is 47 hp above E-Hybrid 3.0 AT at identical kerb weight.

Gasoline V8 without the GT badge — 4.0 AT Turbo 550 hp (3 generation) or restyle 4.0 AT 474 hp. Same 3996 cm³. 550 hp: 4.1 s, 286 km/h, 15.5 / 9.3 / 11.6, 264 g/km, 2175 kg, 162 mm. Restyle 4.0 AT 474 hp: 4.7 s, 273 km/h, 2145 kg, 190 mm; city, highway, mixed, CO2, Euro class not measured. You lose 76 hp and 0.6 s and gain 28 mm clearance. Versus 4.0 AT GTS 460 hp (3 generation): the 550 hp Turbo is +90 hp, +150 Nm, +30 kg, −0.1 s, +16 km/h, mixed 11.6 vs 11.4. The GTS is almost the Turbo’s time at 90 hp less; it only existed 2020-06-01 to 2023-03-31. Restyle 4.0 AT GTS 500 hp is +40 hp on the old GTS but +0.2 s and +1.9 l mixed — more power, worse measured economy and a slower sprint in this dataset.

Maximum gasoline sprint — 4.0 AT Turbo GT 640 hp. 3.3 s, 300 km/h, 160.2 hp/l, 3.47 kg/hp, 2220 kg, 162 mm, mixed 11.9, CO2 271, Euro 6. Versus 550 hp 4.0 AT Turbo: +90 hp, +80 Nm, +45 kg, −0.8 s, +14 km/h, mixed +0.3 l. Gross 2765 kg is 170 kg below the 550 hp Turbo’s 2935 kg, so payload shrinks by 215 kg. Versus Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo 680 hp: the GT is 40 hp down, 270 kg lighter, 0.5 s quicker, +5 km/h, and uses 11.9 vs 3.3 mixed — the 3.3 figure is the plug-in cycle, city/highway not measured.

Maximum system output — Turbo E-Hybrid 4.0 AT 739 hp (3 generation, restyling). 950 Nm, 3.7 s, 295 km/h, mixed 2.5, 2295 kg, 190 mm, wheels 255/55 R19 and 275/50 R19 (not the 21-inch Turbo set). Versus 680 hp Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo: +59 hp, +50 Nm, −195 kg, −0.1 s, same 295 km/h, mixed 2.5 vs 3.3, clearance 190 vs 162. 3.11 kg/hp is the lowest mass-per-horsepower in the model. CO2 and Euro class not measured on the restyle car; the 680 hp car has 75 g/km Euro 6.

If you need Diesel — stay in 2 generation / 2 generation, restyling. 3.0 AT 245 hp (2 generation): 7.6 s, 220 km/h, 8.4 / 6.5 / 7.2, 189 g/km Euro 5, 2080 kg, 215 mm, 85 l. The restyle 245 hp: 7.3 s, 221 km/h, 7.8 / 6.2 / 6.8, 179 g/km, 2110 kg, 190 mm, 100 l — 0.3 s quicker, 0.4 l less mixed, 10 mm less clearance, 15 l more tank. Do not buy 3.0 AT 211 hp unless you accept 8.5 s and 209 km/h at the same 6.8 mixed as the 245/262 cars. 3.0 AT 262 hp matches the 245 hp restyle times and economy with +17 hp. 4.1 AT 382 hp (2 generation) vs 385 hp (restyle): 5.7 vs 5.4 s, both 252 km/h, 850 Nm both, mixed 8.3 vs 8.0, tank 85 vs 100, clearance 215 vs 190, CO2 218 vs 209.

If you want a Manual — only 1 generation, 1 restyling, and 2 generation 3.6 MT. 3.6 MT 300 hp (2 generation) beats 3.6 AT 300 hp 7.5 vs 7.8 s at 35 kg less (1995 vs 2030). Same 230 km/h. Mixed 11.2 vs 9.9 — the Manual uses 1.3 l more mixed. First-generation 3.2 MT 250 hp is 9.1 s vs 3.2 AT 9.7 s.

Older V8 petrol vs new 4.0. 2 generation 4.8 AT 550 hp: 4.5 s, 283 km/h, 2215 kg, 215 mm, 85 l, mixed 11.5, 270 g/km Euro 5, 114.4 hp/l. 3 generation 4.0 AT Turbo 550 hp: same 550 hp from 810 cm³ less, 4.1 s (−0.4 s), 286 km/h, 2175 kg (−40 kg), 162 mm (−53 mm), 75 l, mixed 11.6, 264 g/km Euro 6, 137.6 hp/l. Restyle 4.8 AT 570 hp (2 generation, restyling): 4.1 s matching the later 550 hp 4.0, 284 km/h, 2235 kg, 190 mm, 100 l, mixed 11.5. Same sprint as the 4.0 Turbo 550 hp with +20 hp, +60 kg, +28 mm clearance, +25 l tank.

Power per litre, for the ranking itself: highest is Turbo E-Hybrid 4.0 AT 184.9 hp/l, then S E-Hybrid S 3.0 AT 173.3, Plug-in 4.0 AT Turbo 680 hp 170.2, 4.0 AT Turbo GT 160.2, Plug-in 3.0 AT 462 hp 154.3, 2.9 AT S 152.0. Lowest among measured petrols is 3.2 MT / 3.2 AT 78.4 hp/l.

Problems / reliability: this catalogue does not measure failure rates, service intervals, or common faults. What it does measure is Euro class (Euro 4 / Euro 5 / Euro 6 where listed) and the consumption/CO2 figures above; treat unlisted economy and emissions as not measured, not as “none”.

Short buy map: petrol daily → 3.0 AT 340 or 353 hp; one-second quicker petrol six → 2.9 AT S; plug-in six → 3.0 AT 462 hp or E-Hybrid 3.0 AT / S E-Hybrid S 3.0 AT; petrol V8 sprint without GT → 4.0 AT Turbo 550 hp; fastest gasoline → 4.0 AT Turbo GT; highest hp → Turbo E-Hybrid 4.0 AT; diesel → restyle 3.0 AT 262 hp or 4.1 AT 385 hp; manual → 3.6 MT 300 hp. Prices are not in this dataset.