Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric First Drive Review

I always try to experience and judge a car from an impartial and unbiased point of view - to me it is of utmost importance to avoid any predisposed fondness or dislike for any car before I actually get to experience it.

But not everyone is like that, and by going electric with the Cayenne, Porsche is opening itself up to potential critics. Performance and SUVs don't usually go hand in hand, and to some car enthusiasts, this car seems like a recipe for disaster - not only is it a hefty SUV, it is now fully electric and one that has been given the 'Turbo' name, all while being mechanically impossible to have one.

However, unlike the ones who are criticising the car behind a computer screen, I have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the new Cayenne Turbo Electric at Sepang International Circuit, and I'm more than impressed.

The all-new fourth-generation Cayenne Turbo Electric's head light shape resembles the Taycan

Like a tougher, bolder, and SUV version of the Taycan

Codenamed E4, the new fourth-generation Porsche Cayenne is an all-new car built upon an electric platform, which also means that it looks substantially different from the previous car. Up front, the intakes on the bumper is much slimmer, while the head lights seem to be inspired by the Taycan's - in some ways, the Cayenne looks somewhat like an SUV version of the Taycan to me.

While the SUV variant might not be as sleek, I'd argue that it looks tougher and more aggressive

Like its predecessor, the new Cayenne Electric is also offered in a sleek, Coupe variant, which features the iconic flyline that is inspired by the 911. However, the car that I am driving today is the SUV variant, which trades some of that sleekness for increased headroom and cargo space within.

The Cayenne Turbo Electric features active aero components, including the active aeroblades on either ends of the rear bumper

And to be frank, there's something about a big, burly SUV that screams aggression. From the bulging arches, to the active aeroblades on either ends of the rear bumper, the Cayenne Turbo Electric looks aggressive from all angles.

Yes, it doesn't actually have a turbo - it's an EV with 1,140bhp and 1,500Nm; I suppose it is deserving of the moniker...

Four-digit horsepower

Those familiar with Porsche will know that the 'Turbo' moniker typically denotes incredible performance through immense power. Naturally, the new Cayenne Turbo Electric has quite the firepower.

0-200km/h in just 7.4 seconds, the Cayenne Turbo Electric accelerates even more quickly than the new 911 Turbo S

The dual-motor setup puts out a combined output of 630kW (845bhp) at any given time, and up to a maximum of 850kW (1,140bhp) and 1,500Nm of torque. This allows the sub 2.7-tonne super SUV to complete the century sprint in just 2.5 seconds, 0-200km/h in 7.4 seconds, and on to a top speed of 260km/h. Not only is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric the most powerful production Porsche ever made, it also out accelerates the new 911 Turbo S to 200km/h by a full second.

But outright performance isn't the only impressive part of the powertrain, the rear motor on the Cayenne Turbo Electric features direct oil cooling, a Formula E technology. By keeping the powerful motor cool, the car is able to put out stable and consistent performance - something that many high-powered EVs struggle with.

The Cayenne Turbo Electric isn't just fast in a straight line, it is truly capable around the track

It doesn't even drive like an SUV

While the numbers paint a clear picture of the new Cayenne Turbo Electric's straight-line performance, what it doesn't tell, is the story of how it drives. Thankfully, the lovely team at Porsche knows the best way to show us what the car is capable of - a test drive session on Sepang International Circuit.

While Julian has driven the Coupe version on German roads just weeks ago, nothing beats a track session if the goal is to experience the absolute limits of a car's performance. With long straights, tight hairpins and long sweeping curves, Sepang Circuit allows one to test out the acceleration, braking performance, agility and stability of any car. And there's just one word on my mind after driving the Cayenne Turbo Electric here: Unparalleled.

Be it straights, hairpins or long, wide sweepers, the Cayenne Turbo Electric conquers it all - it doesn't even feel remotely like what you'd expect from an SUV

Through the acceleration and braking exercises and the long straights of Sepang Circuit, it is clear that there's enough power to reach the top speed of the car with ease here. And while the power is intoxicating, it is the agility and stability of the car that captivates me. From the first hairpin, the agility of the Cayenne Turbo Electric takes me by surprise. Then it was the long sweeper - the Porsche Active Ride system actively levels the car, counteracting the g-forces, resulting in magical stability and grip levels, I have never experienced anything like this.

Despite my general disdain for SUVs due to their high centre of gravity and inherent compromise on performance, I dare say that if there was a way to blind test cars, I will not have even guessed that the Cayenne Turbo Electric is an SUV. I don't know exactly how, but the engineers at Porsche have created a truly incredible machine.

While clearly a rockstar on track, the Cayenne Turbo Electric manages to conquer rugged off-road surfaces with ease and at an incredible pace

And yet it does all the SUV things perfectly

Apart from the track session, we also got to experience the car on a dirt course. Even though the Cayenne Turbo Electric was equipped with regular Pirelli P Zero road tyres, the clever electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (ePTM) allows the car to maintain incredible traction. Furthermore, the Porsche Active Ride system also works to improve the traction and ride quality off the road - very clever and versatile!

Inside, there's plenty of legroom and headroom; there is however still a slight transmission bump at the rear floor for some reason

Inside, the Cayenne Turbo Electric offers plenty of space, with generous rear legroom and headroom. That said, for some reason the rear floor isn't completely flat - there is still a small transmission bump despite the EV platform. Cargo capacity is also maximised with the SUV variant - 747 litres of boot space, which can be expanded to 1,554 litres. This is over 200 litres more than the Coupe.

The driver-centric cockpit features the Flow Display - an ergonomically designed infotainment display, which is an excellent use of curved display technology

But what really got my attention within the cabin was the Flow Display - this curved display flows from the centre of the dashboard to the centre console. With the bottom half of the display nicely angled, and coupled with a palm rest, the ergonomics is simply on point. In fact, I reckon this is the best use of the curved display technology that I have seen thus far.

Still on my mind

It has been more than a week since my experience with the new Cayenne Turbo Electric, and yet it is still fresh on my mind.

The last time I was deeply impressed by an electric SUV was the Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron with its tri-motor setup, and that was more than two years ago. Now, I have a new favourite performance electric SUV, and it is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric. Oh, if only I have some $800,000 to spare...

Love electric SUVs that can give sports cars a run for their money? Here are some others that you should check out:

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