Overview
We may spend most of our lives learning the difference between good and bad, but when it comes to the 340-hp Cayenne Coupe, reviewed separately, and this 541-hp Cayenne Coupe Turbo, the distinction is between good and great. Using its twin-turbo V-8 powertrain with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, the Coupe Turbo covers pavement as faithfully as the Associated Press writes news. An even wilder electrified version, the Cayenne Coupe Turbo S E-Hybrid, breaks out 670 horsepower. The Coupe comes with a sloped roof that gives it a more aggressive appearance than the normal Cayenne Turbo SUV, also reviewed separately, but its looks sacrifice some rear cargo space and passenger headroom. Its efforts in handling like a tall 911 don’t go unnoticed, with incredible grip and acceleration that only makes concessions at the fuel pump.
What’s New for 2020?
The Cayenne Coupe Turbo is an all-new model for the 2020 model year and spices up the fastback version of the Porsche Cayenne SUV lineup with a horsepower injection.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’re very fond of the normal Cayenne, which comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker stereo, and a Wi-Fi hotspot—among other popular equipment—and our preferred configuration would expand upon that with thoughtful options.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Cayenne Coupe Turbo tears a hole through the atmosphere courtesy of a 541-hp twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine that makes 567 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne Coupe Turbo S E-Hybrid uses that powerplant plus a 134-hp electric motor to increase its combined output to 670 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque. Porsche’s quick-acting eight-speed automatic with manual shifting handles gear changes for both drivetrains The Cayenne Turbo rides on standard 21-inch wheels with a staggered setup, meaning its rear wheels and tires are wider than the front. Like the square-back Cayenne Turbo SUV, the Coupe’s handling is precise and agile, and the ride it delivers is composed. When we first sampled the Cayenne Turbo Coupe, we compared its handling with that of a big sports sedan. Driving enthusiasts will appreciate its eager and athletic nature.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The Cayenne Turbo has a lot of towing power, with 7716 pounds of max trailering capacity.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid is the thriftiest of the two powertrains, earning a combined city and highway rating of 18 MPGe. It also has an all-electric range of 12 miles. The gas-only Cayenne Coupe Turbo gets an estimated 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway fuel rating by the EPA. Despite its unimpressive highway number, the plug-in hybrid is the most eco-friendly option for folks who live in urban areas. For more information about the Cayenne Turbo Coupe’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Porsche essentially provides a blank canvas inside the Cayenne Turbo Coupe 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. The driver faces a snazzy gauge cluster with an analog tachometer flanked by two 7.0-inch screens that display selectable information. In addition to traditional options such as heated and ventilated front and rear seats, the Cayenne offers desirable upgrades, including more supportive seats, massaging front seats, four-zone climate control, and more. The rival Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90 have three rows, but the Porsche has only two. Still, its back seat is adjustable and provides plenty of stretch-out space. The Cayenne entices Porsche enthusiasts with ample passenger capacity and cargo volume, which are obviously far greater than the racy 911 sports car’s. The Cayenne provides 22 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and up to 54 cubes with the seats folded flat. That’s five and six cubic feet short of the normal Cayenne Turbo SUV, respectively. Interior cubby storage is unremarkable, with most small items seeking refuge in the door pockets or the shallow center-console bin. Every Cayenne includes a power-operated liftgate; the optional passive-entry system (called Comfort Access) allows it to be opened or closed with a foot gesture.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The infotainment system uses a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen mounted in the middle of the dashboard. Its slick interface includes a configurable home menu and many personalized settings. While the system was responsive and easy to operate during our testing, the screen attracted smudges. A rotary controller would help reduce distractions during driving. Every Cayenne has Porsche Connect Plus, which includes a Wi-Fi hotspot as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A set of upgraded audio systems includes a 14-speaker Bose unit or a much pricier Burmester setup that pumps 1455 watts through 21 speakers. An available rear-seat entertainment system attaches two 10.0-inch displays to the back of the front-seat headrests.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Cayenne Turbo Coupe is available with a bevy of driver-assistance technology to help keep occupants safe. Every model has forward-collision warning and parking sensors at both ends. It even supports night vision with an optional infrared camera. For more information about the Cayenne’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Porsche provides a competitive limited and powertrain warranty. However, BMW and Volvo provide lengthier coverage for complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first year or 10,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4- or 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
BASE PRICE
$131,450
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
244 in3, 3996 cm3
Power
541 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
567 lb-ft @ 1960 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.0 in
Length: 194.5 in
Width: 78.4 in
Height: 65.1 in
Passenger volume: 104 ft3
Cargo volume: 21 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 5100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.4 sec
100 mph: 8.9 sec
¼-mile: 12.0 sec
Top speed: 177 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 17/15/19 mpg
