2020 Porsche Cayenne S SUV

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is based on the base Cayenne but the S after the Cayenne means this is faster and sportier than the regular model. Motivated by a twin-turbo V6 under the hood and a lighter curb weight this Porsche SUV is nothing like a regular mid-size SUV. It can go fast, it handles well, has minimal body roll, and yet is spacious and practical. That being said, the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S slots between the luxury mid-size SUV segment, and thus its main competitors include the Maserati Levante S, BMW X5 M50i, and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. Can this Porsche emerge as the top-of-the-line midsize performance-oriented luxury SUV beating all the three rivals here? Let’s find out.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is the mid-level trim in the Cayenne lineup which looks like Cayenne, Cayenne S, and Cayenne Turbo. The Cayenne S starts at $84,300 and goes up in value as you start adding optional packages, optional package for the Cayenne S is similar to what you get on the base Cayenne. Apart from the standard features carried over from the base Cayenne, it adds a panoramic sunroof, a twin-turbo V6 engine, and comes with sporty exterior bits.

We Recommend

As the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is a stand-alone trim, we would recommend you to add along with it the Premium Package Plus. As it adds features like quad-zone climate control, front and rear heated seats, Bose surround sound system, lane change assist, ambient lighting, and more.

"Driving the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe was pure joy. The twin-turbocharged 2.9L V-6 engine was subtle and refined when it needed to be, and a fire-breathing dragon when we wanted." - motortrend.com

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is powered by a zesty 2.9L twin-turbo V6 engine. It is paired with an 8-speed PDK automatic gearbox that offers smooth and nimble shifts. The Cayenne S' powertrain cranks out 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The engine is highly refined and is a bliss to drive in higher RPMs. Despite a throaty engine, the cabin remains extremely tranquil with no outside noise, whatsoever. As standard, the Cayenne S is available in only AWD configuration.

The Cayenne S is a fast SUV and it can do 0-60 MPH in just 4.7 seconds and covers a quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds. Compared to the much powerful Cayenne Turbo these figures might look slow but are still very impressive for a mid-size SUV. However, one can opt for the Sport Chrono package which adds analog stopwatches, launch control, and an expanded Sport Plus drive mode. This package helps reduce the 0-60 MPH timings to 4.2 seconds and the quarter-mile to 12.8 seconds.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is truly amazing when it comes to its handling. It is well composed on twisty roads with the tires providing amazing grip thus giving you more confidence going around the corners. Moreover, the S variant comes equipped with the PSP option which reduces steering effort at low speeds. However, at higher speeds, the steering feels very responsive and precise. 

Cayenne S also comes equipped with PASM that actively adjusts the suspension tuning to offer either comfort or a stiff ride for a better driving experience. The handling characteristics are best in the Porsche thanks to these advanced techs. Being a heavy SUV good brakes is equally important and the 2020 Cayenne S comes equipped with 15.3-inch and 13-inch ventilated disc brakes at the front and rear respectively which is enough to stop this heavy SUV in split seconds.

Despite being cheaper by almost $2,000, the 2020 BMW X5 M50i offers the best performance figures on paper outputting 523 hp and 553 lb.-ft of torque. BMW cars are always known for their aggressive engines and the X5 M50i is an embodiment of the same. It covers 0-60 MPH in just 3.9 seconds; quicker by almost a second when compared to the Cayenne S. Meanwhile, the Maserati Levante S is the least powerful and has sluggish acceleration compared to the rest of the competition. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport sports a supercharged V8 and has the best low-end grunt, but is marginally quicker than the Cayenne S when tested on the track.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S does bite when it comes to the MPG department. Powered by the twin-turbo V6 motor the 2020 Cayenne S has an EPA estimated gas mileage of 18/22/20 mpg in the city/highway/combined respectively. It has a large 23.7-gallon fuel tank which will be enough to ride 400 plus miles and 500 plus miles in the city and on the highway between each fillup.

The Range Rover Sport followed by the Cayenne S has the best-in-class mileage. Its sizable fuel tank of 27.6-gallons puts it streets ahead of its competitors when it comes to range. While the Levante S on the other hand is the least efficient out of all and coupled that with the smallest gas tank it will make you visit the gas station more than often.

"Porsche essentially provides a blank canvas inside the Cayenne for customers to outfit as they see fit. Everything from the interior trim to the seatbelt colors to the surface materials can be individually selected." -caranddriver.com

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S was completely updated in 2019 and thus the cabin design has been carried over for the 2020 model year. Inside the Cayenne S, it has the perfect balance of comfort and technology. There are a lot of amenities for the occupants to keep them comfortable as well as engaged throughout the time they are inside. The dashboard has a very sleek look with soft-touch material used throughout. The buttons and controls feel very premium and even the smallest detail like the knurled edge adds to that. The layout is simple yet elegant although some of the controls especially around the gear lever are not ergonomically placed. Being an SUV the ingress and egress in the Cayenne S are not an issue.  

The Cayenne enjoys a longer wheelbase compared to its smaller sibling the five-seater Macan SUV and as a result seating for five people in two rows won't be an issue here. The front seats are well cushioned and very comfortable even while sitting on them over longer durations. At the rear, the seating is good but not great and might feel a bit flat for some passengers. As standard, the vehicle comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, a 40/20/40-split rear seat, partial leather upholstery, and ambient lighting. While the Premium Plus package can be had to upgrade to an even more luxurious and tech-loaded cabin.

The 2020 Cayenne S gets a wide 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The display is crisp and there is no screen glare issue even in bright sunlight. Smartphone connectivity is via Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. While 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot is also standard all of which are part of Porsche Connect Plus. For your music needs, a 10-speaker sound system is standard while a 14-speaker Bose sound system and a freaking 21-speaker Burmester premium surround sound system are part of the options list. Also, on the optional list is a 10-inch rear entertainment display mounted on the headrest of the front seats.

Being an SUV it is safe to say the Cayenne S is among the most practical Porsche. Don't believe us then look at the numbers. The Cayenne S offers 27.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and with the rear seats folded you get 60.3 cubic feet of space. Further, the rear seats offer 40/20/40-split folding for added flexibility. 

All of the above competitors hit the same ballpark when it comes to the interior passenger space but the Porsche Cayenne is the best midsize luxury SUV speaking of our experience as the on-paper comparison isn't possible here. Cayenne S has a decent cargo space as well of 27.1 cu.-ft, which makes it practical at the same time. Although the BMW X5 M50i has the best cargo space in its class, while the 2020 Maserati Levante S feels underwhelming in the aspect. Statistically, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport has maximum space on the inside and a proportionately large boot.

Interior Features: 

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front and rear seats
• 40/20/40 split rear seat
• Ambient Lighting
• Dual-zone climate control 
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats 
• SiriusXM satellite radio

"The Cayenne, however, is arguably the best-looking of the bunch. It actually has a cohesive rear end that like a smoother, more elegant version of the aggressive Lamborghini Urus tail." -gearpatrol.com

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S retains the same exterior design as that of the 2019 model year. It has a typical Porsche design with smooth body curves all around. The bumper and the grille are sharp and look sporty. The 19-inch alloys add to the sporty look of the SUV. The headlight and the taillight are all-LED both of which although sharper still retain the older Cayenne's design. 

Cayenne S adds PASM and a panoramic sunroof over the base variant. Apart from that, you can also option your car with an off-road package, an adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering, etc. Overall, the exterior of the 2020 Cayenne S looks very elegant, and being a Porsche it has a perfect appeal and a much better road presence than most of its competitors. 

The Levante has a larger wheelbase and length yet it isn't the most spacious in terms of cabin and cargo space. Meanwhile, the BMW X5 M50i is the heaviest SUV in its segment with a curb weight of 5,260 lbs. The Porsche Cayenne S is one of the lighter SUVs when compared to its competitors which helps to improve its performance and handling. However, it is one of the smallest in terms of dimensions. While its ground clearance of 8.2 inches seems adequate although the Range Rover Sport leads the segment and stands at 8.4-inches from the ground.

Exterior Features:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Power liftgate
• Panoramic sunroof
• Lip spoiler
• Black grille w/ chrome accents
• All-LED exterior lights

It is safe to say that Porsche is one of the safest and reliable cars in the world. The build quality of the SUV is very sturdy. As for the safety scores, neither NHTSA nor IIHS has rated it for its crash tests. Although the list of safety features is confidence-inspiring. Some of which include stability control, traction control, hill start assist, front and rear parking sensors, front knee airbags, front and second-row airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. It also has a surround-view parking camera for better outward vision.

Safety Features:

• Automated emergency braking
• Traffic sign recognition
• Night vision assist
• Lane-keep assist and Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward-collision warning
• Blind-spot monitoring w/ rear cross-traffic alert

2020 Porsche Cayenne S vs 2020 BMW X5 M50i

The BMW X5 M50i is the toughest rival to the Porsche Cayenne S. One of its main selling points is that it undercuts the Cayenne S in terms of its price as well as performance. It has a more punchy engine along with a plethora of features.

The Cayenne S on the other hand has a better fuel economy than the X5 and is much more luxurious. Though the Porsche Cayenne S has better driving dynamics, buyers on a budget can look at the X5 M50i to experience a powerful SUV.

2020 Porsche Cayenne S vs 2020 Maserati Levante

The Maserati Levante S is very sluggish when it comes to its engine performance. The ride quality is not so smooth. The Porsche Cayenne S on the other hand is better than the Levante in every department.

Although the Levante looks more elegant than the Cayenne, looks can be subjective. What majorly plays here against the Levante is the brand perception which is in favor of Porsche the reasons why the Cayenne S is so popular. So, between the two, Cayenne S is definitely a better choice. 

2020 Porsche Cayenne S vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport has much better interior space and a punchier performance than the Cayenne S. It is a beast in terms of off-roading which is something the Cayenne S can't boast of as it is a soft-roader.

Also what plays in the Range Rover Sport's favor is the fact that it is luxurious and at the same time economical than the Cayenne S. That said, both the SUVs are well sought after in the luxury car segment and are equally matched.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is loaded with the latest techs and features. The phenomenal ride quality and handling make this SUV very fun to drive. The exterior styling is very elegant and a treat to our eyes. At the same time, the powerful twin-turbo V6 is a hoot to drive. All these make the Cayenne S be an incredible daily driver as well as a practical Porsche.

More from Porsche:

• Read our views on the upcoming Porsche Cayenne S SUV
• Read here the latest changes expected on the 2022 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
• Find out what's new on the upcoming Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid PHEV SUV

FAQs on the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S:

How fast is the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S?

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S can go from 0-60 MPH in just 4.2 seconds and hits a top speed of 164 MPH.

How much price to pay for the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S?

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S without any optional add-ons has an MSRP of $84,300.

What is the difference between the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Porsche Cayenne S?

Apart from the added features, the major difference between the Porsche Cayenne Turbo is that it replaces the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine of the Cayenne S with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. 

How much can the 2020 Porsche Cayenne tow?

A properly equipped Porsche Cayenne can tow up to 7,700 pounds.