Nothing at all like Carmine Red on a vibrant day.
Porsche
Porsche makes some of the world’s greatest 6-cylinder engines, but there is just no substitute for the sound and fury of a bangin’ V8. That’s why I am stoked about the 2021 Cayenne GTS, which ditches its outdated V6 for just one hell of a twin-turbo V8. Does it adjust the overall GTS package? Not truly and that’s Okay. The V8 just adds a full great deal of character, improving the attractiveness of this fantastic functionality SUV.
The GTS’ 4.-liter twin-turbo V8 is the exact just one you are going to obtain in the rootin’-tootin’ Cayenne Turbo, detuned in this application to generate 453 horsepower at six,000 rpm and 457 pound-toes of torque at 1,800 rpm. Individuals are boosts of 13 hp and 15 lb-ft in comparison to the outdated GTS’ V6, but this insignificant bump in power won’t tell the full tale.
As an alternative, consider the hearty roar of the V8 on startup that settles into a bassy burble. The common sport exhaust amplifies this strong soundtrack and digging into the throttle is like an on/off swap for the V8’s loud-and-very pleased song. Use start control — component of the $1,one hundred thirty Sport Chrono package — and the Cayenne GTS will scoot to 60 mph in 4.two seconds on its way to a 168-mph best velocity. That’s .six seconds more quickly than the outdated GTS’ acceleration time, as well as a five-mph v-max increase, if that’s a bragging appropriate you care about. As with every Cayenne, all-wheel drive is common, as is a smooth-shifting 8-velocity automatic transmission. If you have been hoping the V8 would also mark the return of the Cayenne’s guide transmission, I am concerned you are SOL.
In addition to the V8 and sport exhaust, the Cayenne GTS has a common adaptive air suspension with a thirty-millimeter decreased trip peak and Porsche’s torque-vectoring tech. On best of all those, my Carmine Red exam auto has a several other worthwhile updates, like rear-axle steering ($1,620) and Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control dampers ($three,590).
Every single Cayenne is a peach to drive, but the GTS is certainly the best of the bunch. The steering is gentle and direct and significantly extra communicative than other sporty SUVs, and with the further rear-axle assist, the GTS is significantly extra adept to canyon carving than you may possibly hope. The adaptive chassis tech retains the Cayenne hunkered down and planted in restricted corners, with future to no physique roll in its Sport and Sport Furthermore drive modes. You can drive this Cayenne like you would a 911 and it really is extra than joyful to enjoy alongside.
The GTS’ V8 provides 453 horsepower.
Porsche
Swap more than to Comfort and ease, on the other hand, and the trip is downright plush, even with 21-inch wheels and summer months tires. Highway growth joints are easily dispatched and the GTS rides with magnificent solidity. This SUV has a terrific dynamic breadth, equipped to deliver suitable ease and comfort and compliance when you are toddling about city but completely transform into an absolute hoot and a fifty percent when the highway gets twisty. Compared to other sporty SUVs, the Cayenne GTS is improved on equally ends of this on-highway spectrum.
Porsche delivers a selection of driver-aid technologies that make existence a small much easier, though as typical, most of the superior stuff expenditures further. My Cayenne GTS tester rings up for $one hundred thirty,250 like $1,350 for destination, but lacks lane-preserving assist and adaptive cruise control. Even the surround-see digicam process accounts for $1,200 of that as-tested cost. On the other hand, this a-la-carte optioning process implies you usually are not shelling out for technologies you are going to never ever use that are bundled into other choices offers. Nevertheless, the fact that a 6-determine luxury SUV won’t have some of these options common is very absurd.
The only other disadvantage, to no one’s surprise, is gas financial system. The EPA charges the 2021 Cayenne GTS at 15 mpg city, 19 mpg freeway and 17 mpg mixed, and if you drive this SUV the way it really is meant to be driven, you are going to routinely see numbers in the low-to-mid teens. If performance is a priority, perhaps the Cayenne E-Hybrid is extra your jam.
The GTS’ interior is as great as any other Cayenne’s.
Porsche
A common Sport Style package is component of the Cayenne GTS cure, with 21-inch black wheels, one of a kind bumpers, adaptive LED lighting and aluminum interior trim. Porsche is not just one to restrict personalization options, of program, so come to feel free to peruse the fourteen offered 21- and 22-inch wheel choices, as well as the 11 exterior hues and 11 interior techniques. Want a customized coloration? Feel free to decide from Porsche’s considerable paint catalog — for a $11,430 upcharge, natch.
Creature comforts and onboard tech match what you get in other Cayennes, with the Porsche Communication Management infotainment application housed in a crisp and responsive 12.three-inch touchscreen. No, this is not the current PCM that’s slowly and gradually producing its way into new Porsches, so that implies Android Automobile still is not supported. Apple CarPlay is, thank goodness, and wirelessly at that.
The Cayenne’s sport seats present lots of aid and are super cozy for longer drives and a $two,970 GTS interior package adds contrast stitching and seat belts in possibly Chalk or Carmine Red. Driver and passenger would not complain about a lack of head- or legroom, though the back again seat is not as capacious as other sporty luxury SUVs. Ditto the cargo maintain which, with a highest of 60.three cubic toes of room, falls powering some of the Cayenne’s rivals.
The Cayenne GTS is just one of the best-driving SUVs about.
Porsche
If you are significantly extra concerned with operate more than type, Porsche delivers the Cayenne GTS in modern crossover-coupe type, with a speedier roofline and a lot less interior room — and a $two,700 cost hike. Opting for the Cayenne GTS Coupe unlocks the thoroughly rad houndstooth seat fabric selection, though it requires the addition of a $8,670 Lightweight Sport package, which adds carbon fiber interior trim, a carbon fiber roof, 22-inch wheels and centre-mounted exhaust. I freaking really like all those houndstooth seats, but damn, that’s a full great deal of dollars.
No subject how you slice it, the Cayenne GTS is not particularly a low-cost proposition, starting at $one hundred ten,350 like $1,350 for destination. You can pay out a little a lot less for a 600-hp BMW X5 M, though a 603-hp Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S essentially expenditures extra. Individuals functionality SUVs are surely improved outfitted to struggle a Cayenne Turbo, though the GTS matches them in cost. And even though the Bimmer and Merc throw down even larger outputs and more quickly acceleration occasions, the Cayenne is equally extra at ease and extra gratifying to drive.
Additionally, the GTS stands out as the serious star of the Cayenne lineup, with arguably the best stability of functionality and ease and comfort. Furthermore, it really is $20,900 cheaper than a Cayenne Turbo while giving the exact enjoyment and character that only comes from a sweet V8 engine.