2020 Porsche Cayenne S SUV

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is all set to outclass its competitors in the market. Some of the main competitors of the 2020 Cayenne S are the 2020 Maserati Levante S, the 2020 BMW X5 M50i, and the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport. Can this Porsche emerge as the top-of-the-line midsize performance-oriented luxury SUV in the market? Let’s find out.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S comes in a stand-alone trim. There are no additional trims to the S model. It gets priced at $84,300 and goes up in value as you start adding optional packages. Apart from the standard 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, partial leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a 12.4-inch touchscreen, and a 10-speaker audio system that can be found in the 2020 Cayenne Base, it also comes with sporty bits. These features include 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, Power Steering Plus, Porsche Active Suspension Management, and a panoramic sunroof.

Which Trim should you buy?

As the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is a stand-alone trim, we would recommend you to opt it along with the Premium Package Plus. It costs $8,950 extra and adds features like quad-zone climate control, Front/rear heated seats, Bose surround sound, Lane Change Assist, Ambient lighting, and more.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S comes equipped with a zesty 2.9L twin-turbo V6 engine. It is paired with an 8-speed PDK automatic gearbox that offers smooth and nimble shifts. This duo shells out 434 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The engine is highly refined and has no vibrations even at higher RPMs. Despite a throaty engine, the cabin remains extremely tranquil with no outside noise, whatsoever. As standard, it is available in only AWD configuration.

The engine is capable of doing 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds and a quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds. These figures are not the best but are still very impressive for a mid-size SUV. However, one can opt for the Sport Chrono package which adds analog and digital stopwatches, launch control, and an expanded Sport Plus drive mode. This package helps reduce the 0-60mph timings to 4.6 seconds.

Despite being cheaper by almost $2,000, the 2020 BMW X5 M50i offers the best performance figures on paper outputting 523hp and 553lb.-ft of torque. BMWs are always known for their aggressive engines and the X5 M50i is an embodiment of the same. It covers 0-60mph in just 4.1 seconds; quicker by almost a second when compared to the Porsche. 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 slower than the Cayenne S when tested on the track. Each SUV has a similar top speed of 155 MPH. 

How well does the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S handle?

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S is truly amazing when it comes to its handling. It performs excellently on twisty roads. The tires have amazing grip and the car feels very confident 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 (Porsche Active Suspension Management) system that actively adjusts the suspension tuning to offer either comfort or a stiff ride for better cornering experience. The handling characteristics are best in the Porsche thanks to these advanced tech. Opting for the Sport Chrono Package unlocks Sport Plus mode which adds fun to the driving experience. Moreover, the cabin feels dead silent thanks to the excellent noise insulation. 

Braking Performance

Having good brakes is very important for an SUV which is as capable as the 2020 Cayenne S. The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S comes equipped with 15.3-inch ventilated disc brakes at the front and 13-inch ventilated disc brakes at the rear which is enough to stop this heavy 4740-pound SUV in just split seconds. Although the braking distance of this SUV is not available, we believe that these brakes are more than sufficient and will do their job well. Also, the ventilated brakes help it to cool down much faster and increase its life as well.

2020 Cayenne S will be an absolute winner when it comes to braking performance; it has larger brakes, a lightweight body, and impressive aerodynamics which when combined will be able to stop the car from 60-0MPH in just 120 feet or even less. Porsche is at the top when it comes to its safety and reliability, so braking will not be a problem for it. The Maserati Levante S has much smaller brake rotors of 15 and 13 inches at the front and back, when compared to its competitors; also it is heavy. So expect it to stop much farther than the Porsche.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S does bite when it comes to the mpg department. The 2.9L twin-turbo V6 motor provides roughly around 18/22/20 mpg on city/highway/combined driving cycles respectively. It has a large 23.7-gallon fuel tank which will be enough to ride 474 miles between each fillup. The mpg figures are not great but are better than most of its competitors. 

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport has the best-in-class mileage. Having a more powerful engine does not stop it to provide the most fuel efficiency. Its sizable fuel tank of 27.6-gallons puts it streets ahead of its competitors, averaging a combined mileage of 524 miles. The BMW X5 M50i on the other hand has the least mileage out of all when compared to its competitors. The Porsche Cayenne also has good mileage but falls short in front of the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

The 2020 Porsche Cayenne S was completely updated in 2019 and thus it will remain the same for 2020 MY as well. It has the perfect balance of comfort and technology and provides a lot of amenities for the driver as well as the passengers. The layout is simple yet elegant. The space in the front is good and getting in and out of the car will not be an issue for taller folks. The dashboard has a very sleek look with soft-touch material throughout that will just keep you in awe. The buttons and controls feel very premium and even the smallest detail is not missed out which is what you would expect from a Porsche. 

The cabin seats five people in two rows. The front seats are well cushioned and are very comfortable. The seats also play a major part in absorbing the smallest vibrations possible just to provide its passengers with the best possible experience. 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. But opting for the Premium Plus package will spice things up. Overall the the cabin feels plush with a practical layout.. 

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. Cayenne S has a decent cargo space as well of 27.1 cu.-ft, which makes it practical at the same time. 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.

Standout interior features: 

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

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Porsche is one of the best when it comes to technology and it continues in the 2020 Cayenne S. The vehicle has a wide 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The display is crisp and there is no screen glare issue even in bright sunlight. The infotainment unit has Bluetooth connectivity with which you can connect your smartphone with the infotainment system. 

You can listen to your favorite radio station with the help of SiriusXM satellite radio. Moreover, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, is available in its tech suite. For your music needs, it comes with a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound premium audio system that can be upgraded to the Burmester Surround sound system. 

Standout infotainment features: 

• 12.3-inch wide touchscreen display
• 14-speaker Bose Surround Sound audio system
• Online Navigation Module
• Bluetooth
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• 40 GB Internal Memory
• Apple Carplay
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot

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 is chunky and the taillight retains the iconic Porsche 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, dynamic chassis control, rear-wheel steering, a sport exhaust, and ceramic-coated or full ceramic brakes. Overall, the exterior of the 2020 Cayenne S looks very elegant and has a much better road presence than most of its competitors. 

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport has a larger wheelbase and height. It also has the best ground clearance of all. 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 cars when compared to its competitors which helps to improve its performance and handling. However, it is one of the smallest cars in comparison with the shortest wheelbase of 114 inches. While its ground clearance of 8.2 inches seems adequate, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport leads the segment and stands at 8.7 inches from the ground. The Maserati Levante S sports the longest wheelbase of 118.3 inches.

Standout exterior features:

• 19-inch Wheels
• Power Liftgate Rear Cargo Access
• Panoramic sunroof
• Lip Spoiler
• Black Grille w/Chrome Accents
• LED Headlamps and Taillamps

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. Some of the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S safety features include anti-lock brakes, 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.

Standout 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 with rear cross-traffic alert

2020 Porsche Cayenne S vs 2020 BMW X5 M50i

The BMW X5 M50i is definitely the top contender for the Porsche Cayenne S. One of its main selling points is that it undercuts the Cayenne S in terms of its price. 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 which makes it practical. Though the Porsche Cayenne S has better driving dynamics, buyers on a budget can 

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. Also, the looks of this car are unmatched which is one of the reasons why the Cayenne S is so popular. So, the 2020 Cayenne S is definitely a better choice for you. 

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 off-roading which the Cayenne S struggles a bit. It is also more luxurious and economical than the Cayenne S. On the other hand, the Porsche is sleeker with a powerful engine and offers a better ride quality. Also, the reliability of the Range Rover Sport is questionable.

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. It also has an excellent interior and cargo space that makes it practical at the same time. All these prove it can be an incredible daily driver as well. So, if you are planning to buy the 2020 Porsche Cayenne S, you have made the right choice.