Unveiling Luxury and Durability: Is Porsche Cayenne a good car?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: after a week in the refreshed 2024 Porsche Cayenne—everything from rain-lashed commutes to a cheeky dawn run up my favorite canyon—I’m convinced this luxury SUV still sets the benchmark for blending speed, feel, and everyday versatility. It’s the sort of premium SUV that makes a Miami night out feel slick and a snowy Alpine weekend downright effortless.

2024 Porsche Cayenne: first impressions on the road

I noticed right away how much calmer the new suspension feels in Comfort mode—there’s a subtle, un-Porsche-like plushness to the way it irons out patched tarmac. Switch to Sport and the Cayenne becomes the car you remember: taut, alert, and surprisingly eager for something weighing well over two tons. On wet mornings, the standard all-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic felt as secure as a good pair of winter boots—no drama, just grip.

Performance: where the Porsche Cayenne still shines

Don’t let the “luxury SUV” label fool you—this thing moves. The lineup is broad, but even the standard Cayenne’s 3.0-liter turbo V6 is stronger for 2024.

• Base Cayenne: 348 hp, 368 lb-ft; 0–60 mph around 5.7 seconds
• Cayenne S: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 returns with 468 hp, 442 lb-ft; 0–60 mph in the low 4s
• E-Hybrid: 463 hp combined; effortless torque and useful electric-only around-town capability
• Turbo GT (Coupe): 650 hp; 0–60 mph about 3.1 seconds—genuinely silly in an SUV

Real-world economy? Better than you think, but not a class leader. I averaged 20 mpg in mixed driving in a base Cayenne on 21-inch wheels; the EPA puts it around 19 mpg combined. The E-Hybrid makes the most sense for urbanites with charging at home—quiet mornings, fewer fuel stops.

Cabin and tech: the Porsche Cayenne difference

Slide in and there’s that familiar Porsche seat position—low and snug for an SUV—plus a steering wheel that finally feels right the moment you grab it. Materials are top-shelf, and the optional leather packages are the sort of thing that make valets nod in approval. The new digital layout works well on the move; I liked the crisp graphics and the way the HUD keeps you honest on long freeway stints. One gripe: the climate panel’s touch-sensitive controls can be fiddly with winter gloves. Pretty? Yes. Perfect? Not quite.

Practicality and comfort: living with the Porsche Cayenne

Back-seat space is generous for two adults (three in a pinch), and the cargo area swallowed a weekend of luggage for four without creative Tetris. With the adaptive air suspension, the Cayenne just floats over city potholes; on 22-inch wheels, though, sharper edges creep back in. If your commute is cobbled or cratered, spec the air springs and consider smaller wheels—you’ll thank me later.

• Quiet cabin at highway speeds—quiet enough to hear your kids arguing in the back, for better or worse
• Plenty of charge ports and storage cubbies for road-trip detritus
• Towing capacity up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped

Safety and driver assists in the Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne offers the usual suite: adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, night vision, surround-view cameras. The good bits work unobtrusively—lane centering is smooth, and the camera system is a parking-lot savior. A few owners mentioned to me they prefer the more assertive lane guidance in some competitors; I don’t mind Porsche’s lighter touch. It still feels like you’re driving, not being shepherded by a nervous robot.

Elevating the experience: AutoWin floor mats for the Porsche Cayenne

Small detail, big payoff. Protecting an expensive interior is a no-brainer, and I tried a set of AutoWin floor mats in a friend’s older Cayenne GTS—they fit snugly, didn’t curl at the edges, and were easy to wipe clean after a muddy trailhead stop. If you’re shopping mats, these are worth a look, especially if you rotate between winter and summer sets.

They’re available for multiple generations, and if you run a second SUV like a BMW X5 in the household, AutoWin covers that too.

Porsche Cayenne vs rivals: quick comparison

Figures are manufacturer or EPA estimates; your right foot will have the final say.

Verdict: Is the Porsche Cayenne a good car?

Honestly, I wasn’t sure the 2024 refresh would move the needle much. It does. The Porsche Cayenne remains a driver’s luxury SUV—with steering feel and chassis polish the competition keeps chasing—wrapped in a quieter, more modern cabin. It’s not the cheapest to buy or option, and the touch climate panel won’t please everyone. But if you care about how an SUV drives, this premium SUV should be at the top of your shortlist. Pair it with a set of durable floor mats to keep it fresh, and the Cayenne feels like something you’ll appreciate every single day.

FAQ: Porsche Cayenne

• How much is a Porsche Cayenne?
  For 2024, the Porsche Cayenne starts around the high-$70Ks before options; E-Hybrid and S models climb from there.
• Is the Porsche Cayenne reliable?
  Generally solid when serviced on schedule. Budget for higher maintenance costs than mainstream SUVs; tires and brakes are performance-grade and priced accordingly.
• What’s the fuel economy?
  Base models average around 19 mpg combined; the E-Hybrid can significantly cut fuel use if you charge regularly and do short trips.
• Does the Porsche Cayenne have three rows?
  No—two rows only, seating five. If you need three rows, look at the Audi Q7 or BMW X7.
• What are the standout options?
  Adaptive air suspension, rear-axle steering, sport chrono, and premium audio. My must-haves: air suspension and the driver-assist pack for daily comfort.