New 2018 Porsche Cayenne: prices, specs and on sale date

The new Porsche Cayenne will be released soon, with an E-Hybrid model also on its way. Here's everything you need to know...

Perhaps Porsche's most important launch this year will be the introduction of the new third-generation Cayenne SUV, arriving on UK roads in spring 2018.

Purists sneered at the original Cayenne when it first arrived in 2003, but the Mk3, revealed last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, promises to be closer in spirit to the company's sports cars than ever.

New 2018 Porsche Cayenne review

The Cayenne's styling cues are a mix of traditional Porsche details with elements of the Macan and recently launched Panamera in its design. The headlights are an evolution of the last Cayenne, while matrix beam LED headlights are just one of the hi-tech additions to the car. There's a wide grille set underneath, while an increase in dimensions means the Cayenne has greater road presence than before.

The Cayenne sits on the VW Group's MLB platform that is also used for the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga, although Porsche will have completely reworked the layout for its own purposes. The Cayenne has the same wheelbase as the Mk2, but the car's overall length increases by 63mm and the roof is 9mm lower. Coupled with the increased use of horizontal lines at the front end, this gives the Cayenne a slightly wider-looking stance. The car's profile is largely similar, although the marginally longer rear overhang boosts boot space by 100 litres, with 770 litres on offer in five-seat mode.

Inside, the Cayenne uses a dashboard that's similar to the one found in the Panamera. There's a large centre console as before, although it's far tidier thanks to the 12.3-inch touchscreen system now used. Like the Q7 and Bentayga, the Cayenne gets access to 48-volt electrics, and this means Porsche is able to offer an active anti-roll bar set-up on the options list to boost the Cayenne's handling.

There will only be two versions of Cayenne at launch, the Cayenne and Cayenne S. The first uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol that makes 335bhp and 450Nm of torque. This is enough to take the car from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 152mph.

The Cayenne S gets a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 with 434bhp and 550Nm. This model can manage 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds (or 4.9 seconds if you add the Porsche Sport Chrono option with launch control) and a 165mph top speed.

In time Porsche will launch faster GTS, Turbo and Turbo S petrol models, and if that wasn’t enough, the German marque has also confirmed an E-Hybrid model will soon follow petrol powered cars into showrooms.

Porsche has revealed that it is "on the cusp" of releasing the plug-in hybrid Cayenne, with final sign off tests taking place in South Africa right now. We've even been for a ride in a pre-production prototype too. Final figures have yet to be revealed, but expect an all-electric range of around 30 miles and a powertrain consisting of the base Cayenne's 335bhp turbo V6 combined with a 100kW electric motor and a 14kWh battery pack.

Partnership
Need to sell your car?
Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy.

A Cayenne diesel is promised at some stage in the vehicle's lifespan too.

You can order a new Cayenne now, although deliveries won't commence until April 2018. The standard Cayenne costs £55,965 before options, while the Cayenne S starts from £68,330. This is a small increase over the outgoing Mk2, although as usual Porsche will offer a wide range of options that will bump up the price significantly.

Do you like the look of the new Porsche Cayenne? Let us know in the comments section below...

Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Recommended

Porsche Cayenne review
Porsche Cayenne facelift - front
In-depth reviews

Porsche Cayenne review

Sports car performance and full-size SUV practicality meet in the physics-defying Porsche Cayenne
20 Nov 2023
Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe GT Package review: long on name, big on ability
Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe GT Package - front
Road tests

Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe GT Package review: long on name, big on ability

The most powerful of Porsche’s SUVs promises sports car thrills with room for the dog
23 Oct 2023
New Porsche Cayenne 2023 facelift review
Porsche Cayenne facelift - front
Road tests

New Porsche Cayenne 2023 facelift review

Even in entry-level form, the facelifted Porsche Cayenne is a sharp-handling and beautifully finished SUV
3 Oct 2023
New Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid tempts you with 511bhp and a 50-mile electric range
Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid - front
News

New Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid tempts you with 511bhp and a 50-mile electric range

Will plug the gap between the base 463bhp E-Hybrid and top-spec 728bhp Turbo E-Hybrid
27 Sep 2023

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023