Porsche Cayenne S Coupe 2023 Review

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe range consists of six model grades, priced from $146,700 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Cayenne Coupe and topping out at $364,700 plus ORCs for the ballistic Cayenne Turbo GT.

The Porsche Cayenne S Coupe that has now landed Down Under sits mid-pack, priced from $188,500 plus ORCs. Plug-in hybrid versions are also available, namely the E-Hybrid, S E-Hybrid and the raging Turbo E-Hybrid (ranging from $160,300 to $297,200), and while the latter delivers a 544kW electrified V8 twin-turbo punch, our focus here is the non-electrified Cayenne S that has just returned to V8 firepower.

All variants bar the Turbo GT are available as a wagon, too, with the flagship only sold in coupe form.

Our test car carries many seductive options, pushing it up to a grand sum of $265,650 plus ORCs. Notable items include the Carbon Design Package ($15,340), Black and Night Green two-tone smooth-finish leather interior ($8170), Arctic Grey exterior colour ($5000), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control ($6870), tinted HD Matrix LED headlights ($5720) and Passenger Display screen ($2860). Flex.

The coupe body style is popular among the Euro SUV set with a long list of rivals, including the Audi Q8 (from $132,269), BMW X6 (from $140,900) and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (from $159,900). The latest Range Rover Sport (from $143,600) should be on your radar, too.

Like all other models in the range, the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe has come in for a comprehensive upgrade across the board as this third-generation E3 series (launched in 2017) soldiers on.

As tested here, the Cayenne S rides on unique 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels with red brake callipers and full-colour Porsche crest centre inserts. A bonnet dome, arched wings and front apron with integrated air intakes and side air blades are both functional and fashionable, while an adaptive rear spoiler and twin dual exhaust pipes in brushed steel complete the rear-end.

Door sills are finished in aluminium with Cayenne embossing, along with subtle black design accents through the cabin that gains its own design tweaks, depending on the variant.

Hands-free entry with push-button start, a partial leather interior and leather multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic fixed glass roof and eight-way electric-adjust heated and ventilated front seats with memory function for driver are all standard.

Solid black or white paint finishes or metallic colours of Carrara White, Chromite Black, Algarve Blue, Montego Blue, Quarzite Grey and Dolomite Silver are a no-cost option.

There’s a 20-inch temporary spare tyre under the boot floor.

The Porsche Cayenne carries a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is a long way short of industry standards.

Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km. Scheduled service costs have not been confirmed, but won’t be cheap – we’d tip a ballpark budget of $6K over the first five years.

The lengthy equipment list for the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe is bolstered by a full suite of smart safety technology as standard across the range, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

There’s no local ANCAP safety rating, but the Cayenne S remains a five-star performer under the Euro NCAP regime that tested Porsche’s third-generation SUV back in 2017.

There’s a decent list of fun and functional tech features in the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe.

These include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which work seamlessly through Porsche’s 12.3-inch touch-screen interface.

Also standard is AM/FM/DAB radio, satellite navigation and voice command.

New to the Cayenne cockpit is a 12.65-inch curved screen instrumentation panel with extensive customisation. This pairs with an also fully customisable head-up display which means all the important information – including g-force – are front and centre.

The team at Porsche has crafted an interior that blends modern necessity with some old-school tactility and functionality – screens, buttons, dials and voice controls are a winning combination.

This is a major drawcard for the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe – a new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces 349kW of power and 600Nm of torque.

That’s a healthy 25kW/50Nm step up over the 324kW/550Nm produced by the previous 2.9-litre biturbo V6, and for that we give thanks.

The new Cayenne S has a top speed of 273km/h and will sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.7sec.

Power is sent to all four wheels via a revised eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox, with Sport and Sport Plus modes reducing response and shift times.

Those grab handles on the centre console may come in handy after all.

The claimed combined-cycle fuel consumption figure for the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe is 12.4L/100km.

Our test vehicle was reading 19.8L/100km after enduring a variety of journalists behind the wheel. Potentially, the only downside to choosing that joyous V8.

Wickedly fun and enthusiast levels of engagement, for best results…

There’s a rumbling eagerness to the V8 in the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe that dares you to plant your foot harder than you normally might.

It sounds bullish on start-up and gets better on the go. Response from the V8 is lightning-fast, along with the quick-shifting transmission, in Sport or Sport + driving modes.

And taunt you as it may, the Porsche Cayenne S Coupe is just as capable and comfortable wafting around town at low revs – rarely quietly though.

Comfort levels and dynamism are found through Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which is standard across the Cayenne range, while the new adaptive air suspension is included on Cayenne S and above.

New to the Cayenne is the Sport Response Button on the tiller that readies the engine, transmission and engages Sport suspension for maximum responsiveness. It’s 20 seconds of greatness, repeatable greatness.

Just as important as the go-fast credentials is the Cayenne’s ability to stop. The Cayenne S Coupe has 410mm discs at the front with six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed callipers. On the rear it’s 358mm and four-piston fixed callipers. They are quick to bite, bringing the Cayenne S Coupe to a commanding stop, fast.

That ‘better engine’ we were asking for in our most recent review of the entry-level V6 Cayenne can be found here, in the S Coupe.

With some time behind the wheel of other Cayenne variants, the shift in character from the entry-level Cayenne Coupe to the Cayenne S Coupe is a welcome return, but it also relegates the entry-level V6 Cayenne Coupe to the land of also-rans (relatively speaking).

Something I love about the Porsche design ethos is that they rarely deviate too far from a winning strategy. Sure, different models bring about different execution and throwing money at options changes things up again, but a sense of understated sophistication remains.

I’ve often argued that this approach will see Porsche vehicles age gracefully. Unlike some Porsche drivers.

And the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe is a case in point.

Putting aside your chosen interior trim combination, it’s a minimalist design aesthetic, where less is more and form-fitting seats hug you lovingly.

From the fabric roof lining to the stainless-steel pedals, attention to detail is spot on.

Ergonomics are good and the technology easy to master. The new toggle-style gear selector is set on the dash, as is the push-start button, cleaning up the centre console for easy access to items like climate control.

Forward vision is good, but rearward is hindered by that lovely silhouette. Great camera technology has your back on that front.

The sculpted seats of the second row mean the outboard passengers have better comfort than the middle occupant, who is perched and left wanting for legroom, too.

Two ISOFIX and three top-tether child seat anchor points have the young family needs sorted.

A hands-free electric tailgate reveals a 565-litre boot that’ll easily tackle suitcases, prams and the like, while 40/20/40-split folding rear seats make way for larger loads.

In a word, yes. If only it were that simple…

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe does feel like the sweet spot of the significantly updated SUV range, with that beautiful V8 the headline act.

If I was spending your money, this is where I’d point you.

2023 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe at a glance:
Price: $188,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol
Output: 349kW/600Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 12.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 282g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested