The 2023 Porsche Cayenne is expected to carry on the same line-up as the 2022 model year. The base engine for the 2022 MY is a turbocharged 3.0L V6 that pumps in 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. All the engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox with AWD present as the only drivetrain option. The line-up includes many other engine options as well, including a twin-turbocharged V8 and a hybrid.
Needless to say, the Cayenne is a pretty strong weapon off the line. The engine-gearbox combination is optimally tuned to extract the best timings in a drag race. The 0-60 MPH for the Cayenne is achieved in a slither less than 6 seconds, while the quarter-mile is achieved in just 14.2 seconds. Performance aside, the motor gives phenomenal results in everyday driving scenarios as well. There is ample grunt at the lower revs to make city driving easy. The engine remains under-stressed at highway speeds. The gearbox slots the gears in seamlessly, even in the most comfortable settings. Just floor the pedal and the massive SUV is ready to go, for overtaking purposes only.
Models
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2023 Porsche Cayenne
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2022 Audi Q8
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2022 BMW X5
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2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
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MSRP
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$69,000 (estd.)
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$70,800
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$62,900
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$63,950
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Engine
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Turbocharged 3.0L V6
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Turbocharged 3.0L V6
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Turbocharged 3.0L Inline-6
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Turbocharged 3.0L Inline-6
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Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
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All-Wheel Drive
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All-Wheel Drive
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All-Wheel Drive
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Transmission
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8-Speed Tiptronic S Automatic
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8-Speed Automatic
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8-Speed Sport Automatic
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9-Speed Automatic 9G-Tronic
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Power (hp)
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335 hp @ 5,300 RPM
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335 hp @ 5,700 RPM
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335 hp @ 5,500 RPM
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362 hp @ 5,500 RPM
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Torque (lb.-ft)
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332 lb-ft @ 1,340 RPM
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369 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM
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330 lb-ft @ 1,500 RPM
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369 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM
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0-60 MPH
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5.8 seconds
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5.6 seconds
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5.9 seconds
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5.3 seconds
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Quarter-mile
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14.2 seconds
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14.1 seconds
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14.3 seconds
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13.9 seconds
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Top Speed
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152 MPH
|
149 MPH
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148 MPH
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159 MPH
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All the SUVs make around the same output, with the Mercedes Benz gaining a generous horsepower advantage. The Mercedes’ torque output is matched by the Audi Q8 but the peak is way later in the RPM range. As a result, the GLE 450 is faster than the other midsize luxury SUVs to 60 MPH and to the quarter-mile. Among the rest three, Audi’s extra torque reduces the timings while the Porsche and the BMW fight it out with very similar timings.
2023 Porsche Cayenne Ride and Handling
The 2023 Porsche Cayenne will be riding on similar hardware as the current MY and is expected to drive pretty similarly as well. Although the newer Cayenne isn’t available yet, the older one had won over our hearts and minds when driving on the road. It is very comfortable to drive in the city because the steering weighs in perfectly and the brakes aren’t grabby. The suspension adds more charm and is tuned perfectly for driving in the urban jungle. The gearbox doesn’t compromise and is very smooth in changing gears as well. The only thing people might find inconvenient is the limited view out of the rear window which makes it a bit difficult to park.
On the highway, the Cayenne comes to life and the V6 makes it pretty apparent with its smoothness. The SUV feels super stable at highway speeds and incites a lot of confidence in the driver. The only thing causing a racket is the big wheels and the low-profile tires. The gearbox remains very active here as well and makes overtaking a breeze. The Cayenne’s playful nature takes over as the roads start to twist and turn. Switch to the Sport mode and one can feel the suspension stiffening up and the steering wheel gaining some weight. The car’s chassis is perfectly balanced and the body roll is very limited. The SUV has torque vectoring which makes it an even better handler.
2023 Porsche Cayenne Braking Performance
The Cayenne has never disappointed the enthusiasts and has been a perfect track weapon right from the base trim onwards. That said, 2023 Porsche Cayenne will see the same braking setup being carried forward, and hence, we don’t expect any changes to the braking. Even if there is, the SUV will reduce the braking distance further to make for a safe bet. As such, Porsche vehicles are the best-handling ones out there and carry a legacy to maintain. The SUV boasts massive 15.3-inch rotors at the front and 13.0-inch rotors at the rear for the best raking performance out there.
Models
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2023 Porsche Cayenne
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2022 Audi Q8
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2022 BMW X5
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2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
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Brake Rotors: Front (inches)
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15.3
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14.8
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NA
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14.8
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Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)
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13.0
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13.8
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NA
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13.6
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Curb Weight (lbs)
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4,582
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4,960
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4,863
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5,016
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60-0 (Feet)
|
105
|
113
|
119
|
118
|
All the German SUVs carry pretty big brake discs but the Cayenne gets an advantage via its lighter weight and sporty dynamics. It also has the biggest brake discs of all the SUVs, giving it a clear lead over its rivals. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz is the heaviest but brakes as well as the BMW X5 despite the latter being nearly 200 lbs lower on the scales. The Q8 falls somewhere in between but is the closest one to stop after the Cayenne.