[Savage Geese] Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid | 729HP for $170,000
Posted by autobauss@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 82 comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zYXL6nv-cA
We reviewed the 2025 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. It delivers massive power and a hybrid system; however, the compromised body and extreme price tag are counterintuitive. The Audi Q8, BMW XM, Mercedes GLS, and Lambo Urus are others to consider.
Weekly-Statement-464@reddit
I’m not sure why people fail to understand that people sometimes favor the way it LOOKS over the actual usability of the vehicle. There are always going to be better choices but that is subjective for many, many reasons.
IStillLikeBeers@reddit
It's purely because you have to really care about the looks far more than any other factor. Most people simply aren't doing that.
But, coupe SUVs also basically exist at the higher end luxury range anyway, so I guess those are the people who can afford to care lol.
TGUKF@reddit
Mercedes, BMW, and Audi probably push the most volume of couple like SUVs.
We're also seeing a lot of EV's adopt that style. The Model X and Y have always had a sloping roof line for aerodynamics
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
Perceived status is a huge part of Porsche sales. Listen to Porsche owners and how they talk about their cars and options. That’s how they measure their worth.
the_lamou@reddit
I think you have that backwards. Most people pick cars entirely based on looks, and everything else is a distant second unless there's something very specific and broad you need (e.g. "I want an SUV," or "I want an EV") and then looks are right behind the specific thing.
Weekly-Statement-464@reddit
I think you are underestimating how much people care about how they are perceived by others lol. This is the sole reason all of the very basic entry level Audis, Mercedes, BMWs etc. sell so well - people want to look like they have money
animealt46@reddit
Aesthetics are not about perception by others.
IStillLikeBeers@reddit
Brand flexing is different. This is choosing a car primarily or entirely because of aesthetics and nothing else, which I don't think is terribly common for most car buyers. Obviously because care, but they are usually thinking about other things too. I don't think a coupe Cayenne is a bigger flex than a normal Cayenne. Plus, I'm not even sure what image it portrays or if the average person would even register a coupe vs. non-coupe. It's not like, say, a full sized pickup projecting a certain image that buyers want.
Weekly-Statement-464@reddit
Fair enough. Maybe not a brand flex scenario but the line of thinking is somewhat similar. I think the coupe SUVs typically look much better than a regular SUV to the point where I’d probably pay a premium even if it technically has LESS space. I’m sure a lot of people think the same or else they wouldn’t be selling
Agree-With-Above@reddit
Also funny to see a bunch of guys who probably can't even afford any new vehicle try and understand the mindset of someone that can, on a whim, buy a $200,000 Porsche.
You guys spend effort trying to do mental nerd gymnastics for "bang for buck" specs because $30,000 is a lot for you. But for the person that leases this, it's just a Tuesday.
misterjefe83@reddit
i'm offended! EVERYONE buying a 200k cars are miles in debt and just car poor. i see it all the time in my neighborhood, people living in cardboard boxes and shitting in the street driving lambos /s
Sun_Aria@reddit
r/cars: Nobody will buy this POS if it doesn't set a Nurburgring record!!1!
hoxxxxx@reddit
plus this thing is nearly 200k. we can forget about the practicality lol, that isn't the point of this thing.
bikedork5000@reddit
The thing that bothers me is that whenever the topic of "why doesn't such and such cool wagon available overseas make it to the US?" comes up, we hear "because it costs too much to get it certified for sale in the US." Meanwhile: 2 different but nearly identical versions of the same luxury SUV.
mgobla@reddit
There is every other Porsche model for looks over usability. Cayenne is supposed to be their only model with better usability.
hi_im_bored13@reddit
There a lot of older folks especially who care more about the ingress/egress, seating position, legroom, and maybe towing/capability of an suv more than the actual storage. Even in coupe form, it’s still practical relative to a 911.
Looks are subjective
autobauss@reddit (OP)
Geese's new video, I guess complaining about "no point of SUV coupe" satisfies a certain aspect of enthusiasts, so Jack gets karma points or something, but I refuse to believe that he's so ignorant about the subject.
Yeah, if none means a few % drop in luggage space then sure, none of the SUV packaging benefits
And if that also means not having any ground clearance of an SUV because you pick a coupe version, then yes, you lose 100% of the SUV experience with a coupe...
I just don't understand coupe hate, i hate SUVs and coupe SUVs at least look better in most cases (for me), so i get all same ground clearance aka the main reason for buying an SUV and a less ugly body style
BahnMe@reddit
My friend who bought coupe SUVs, X6, GLE AMG coupe, Cayenne coupe all have FU money and a fleet. They like it because it looks different from the regular SUVs and fewer/more exclusive. Really that simple.
Personally I think they do look cool but could never bring myself to get one because I enjoy practicality more.
dopadelic@reddit
They bought it for status and image amongst their non car enthusiast friends.
rg25@reddit
I guess that is one way to put it. Or they just went out car shopping and thought they looked cool so they bought one.
BahnMe@reddit
So what?
dopadelic@reddit
You were explaining the appeal of SUV coupes for certain people, I was simply expanding on that.
SavageGooseJack@reddit
Consider this my old man yells at clouds moment. Seeing as the panamera and the cayenne run the same drivetrains. If you dont need the space coupe suv i say just get the sedan it is the better product. I used this cayenne to do a airport run and move tires. Compared to the cayenne suv its shape takes a huge hit imo in usability. The coupe suv thing i have never understood. The drivetrain and chassis of the 3.2 cayenne is amazing however.
autobauss@reddit (OP)
Had one, but Panamera is harder to park and won't fit all underground spaces easily aka is longer and then no ground clearance, so basically not a valid option?
SavageGooseJack@reddit
Interesting. Even with the lift system on the current/new Panamera you found the ground clearance to be too little for cities? Not arguing trunk size as the Panamera is smaller.
autobauss@reddit (OP)
Didn't try the new new one, the GTS from "last" gen, but the biggest issue was actually its length, just too long for tight parking spaces / parallel parking
SavageGooseJack@reddit
Interesting from my understanding is the difference in total length is a couple inches. We are in the burbs so outside of large trucks size never comes up for us.
Playful_Landscape884@reddit
If memory serves, BMW was the first to do a SUV coupe with the X6. Of course enthusiasts give BMW a lot of flack because it’s just form over function. Everything that savage geese complains is true for the first X6.
Then of course BMW started printing money with the X6 and everyone started to make their version of SUV coupe.
Porsche would be stupid not to make a coupe version of their best selling SUV and charge a hefty premium for it. Car journalists and enthusiasts often forget that Porsche, BMW et al are car companies that have an obligation to make tremendous amounts of money. After all, Porsche won’t be Porsche today without the Cayenne which enthusiasts label it as heretical
Tw0Rails@reddit
Ah, someone who totally needs the ground clearance, but totally doesn't need the space, and money is no value to you.
I don't understand how you classify it as 'ignorance'. It has less space. SUV blobs aren't exactly lookers either.
If folks here complain that they see trucks that arent loaded to the brim, they should shut up and let the masses pay up for unused max utility.
Look man, just admit you paid up a lot for having a slightly better looking SUV that is aimed at a extremely high wealth audience. Not peoole who either want luxury or utility, or luxury and dynamics of a 2 seater. Just luxury and looks.
Own it.
the_lamou@reddit
That largely describes a lot of my car shopping criteria about three cars ago. I live on a steep mountain of a driveway in horse country full of narrow gravel roads that aren't resurfaced nearly often enough and if I need to transport a bunch of mulch or whatever I can rent a truck.
We picked up an FJ, even thought it's impractical as fuck, because it has 4WD, ground clearance, and looks cool. If I were shopping for a replacement, this would be high on the list (or at least a Taycan CrossTourismo, or SportTourismo, whichever has the extra 10CM of clearance.) Because it rides high enough that a sinkhole or gravel frost swale won't destroy a wheel or knock a tooth out, it doesn't actually give up enough space to give a fuck about, and it looks better than a typical SUV.
AnonymousEngineer_@reddit
Styling matters, though. Otherwise you could say exactly the same thing about anyone who bought a Volkswagen Scirocco over a Golf or an Audi TT over an A3.
Why would anyone have bought the old Holden Monaro (the Pontiac GTO for those in the US) instead of a Commodore? A Peugeot 406 coupe over the sedan?
If practicality was all that mattered, sedans would have died faster than wagons ever did. Yet, it's the wagons that went to the great parking lot in the sky.
strongmanass@reddit
The "ignorance" is people who just can't understand the appeal, like Jack and Mark each said multiple times in the video. It's not difficult to understand. Person wants SUV but doesn't like how traditional SUVs look and doesn't care about the lost cargo space due to sloping the roofline. That's it. Not every SUV is bought for practicality.
wasterman123@reddit
I don’t think most of them look better than the normal suv. The X6, X4, X2, Genesis GV coupes, SQ5 sportback all look so ugly to me. The exceptions are Q8 and cayenne.
I think there’s hate towards SUVs in general and even more since coupes offer less utility which is one of the arguments of getting an suv
DodgerBlueRobert1@reddit
I think that's because the Q8 really doesn't have any more of a sloping roofline/coupe profile than the Q7. Sure, the Q8's roof itself is about 1.5" lower than the Q7, but the downward slope isn't really that much different. The rear glass is more angled on the Q8, but that has no bearing on the roofline itself.
Q7
Q8
wasterman123@reddit
I think because it’s more unique and not just super sloped is why I like it. It looks like a standalone model not just the Q7 sportback
DodgerBlueRobert1@reddit
I agree, it doesn't look like a hack job Q7. With that being said, the standard Q8 and even SQ8 in base form is kinda boring looking. And honestly, the stock grill (at least for 2025) is quite nasty looking. You have to go for the Black Optics package, and add those 22" black 10-spoke wheels in order to make the car look good imo (like that blue one I linked above).
ScipioAfricanvs@reddit
I guess I just don’t understand - if you don’t care about the space and interior packaging (or ground clearance), why get a coupe SUV at all? To your point, people will happily daily a 911 or other sports cars and accept the resulting compromises because they are different experiences that you can’t get without said compromises. A coupe SUV doesn’t, at least to me, offer anything different or better than a more traditional SUV - so you’re compromising on a bunch simply for aesthetics.
And not to downplay aesthetics - they are important to me, otherwise I’d probably have a BMW with buck teeth - but that is an extremely niche factor to base a decision on when it you factor in the totality of the normal vs coupe SUV considerations.
DodgerBlueRobert1@reddit
Well, you already answered your own question...
Just look at the top comment of this thread. It pretty much sums it up...
Many people buy a car simply based on how it looks. It's really not that hard to understand.
narwhal_breeder@reddit
"I like to sit up high" thats literally all there is to it.
strongmanass@reddit
OP does care about ground clearance.
It's only a compromise if the thing you're compromising on has any benefit to you. If you never use the cavernous cargo area then giving up some isn't compromising your specific needs. Even so, people do compromise on things that are useful to them in favor of looks all the time. If you want a SUV but you don't like how boxy traditional SUVs look, "coupe" SUVs are one solution.
animealt46@reddit
Importantly, cargo comes in 3 dimensions, with height being the least important by far. Not all cargo volume is made equal, and the tall part close to the hatch is the least used of all.
animealt46@reddit
coupe SUVs usually offer more ground clearance and interior volume (and cargo flexibility) than the equivalent sedan/suv. Also their seating position and entry/egress ergonomics are quite different.
sprottythotty@reddit
It’s such a paradoxical car like who is the buyer that cares about having a hybrid drivetrain to save gas but also wants to have 700 hp to reverse the rotation of the earth once in a blue moon? (Okay the hybrid is probably for eu regs but still)
PM_ME_YO_TREE_FIDDY@reddit
Because this sub is US centric and we get the same fucking discussion every week. "Why is it a PHEV?" "Why don't they make it as a V8 anymore?". Because in many European countries carbon taxes are so high and the average car buyer cares so little about the technicalities it doesn't matter. This Cayenne in pure ICE form would be an extra 60k euros here in France, about a third of the price. And it turns out the people driving those are so wealthy they either have a dedicated sports cars or just care about the complete packaging as long as it offers a similar feeling as other cars of this class.
This subreddit is pretty much out of touch with every car buyer demographic except its own, and it still hasn't learned that mainstream manufacturers really don't give a shit about anything but making money.
sprottythotty@reddit
Read the last part of my comment, I get how carbon tax works. It’s still silly that we have these 700hp “daily drivers” that also need to have a hybrid system in order to appear eco friendly when most people will just be blasting around in ICE mode anyways.
PM_ME_YO_TREE_FIDDY@reddit
Yeah sorry my response was a bit out of context and I definitely agree with you on that front.
strongmanass@reddit
Everyone suddenly becomes a delivery driver when coupe SUVs get brought up. But in the same breath they'll tell you a 911 is practical. I think part of the hate is that their favorite class of car is being used to describe a form factor they despise. For some reason people can't say that so they make inconsequential arguments about reduced practicality, as if that matters at all.
rugbyj@reddit
Honestly I don't disagree with your points, but I would say my primary dislike of coupe SUVs is that they typically are half a priceband above their "normal" counterparts.
The coupe look is fine, but personally I'd struggle to ever buy the less practical option for more when the (subjective) looks of either don't bother me.
strongmanass@reddit
That's a reasonable opinion. The difference is styling and negligible aerodynamics, so if you have no issue with a typical SUV then a coupe SUV for more money is pointless.
animealt46@reddit
Online forums tend to be the most gatekeeping places ever on what terms are 'supposed' to mean. Relatedly I've seen more hate on this sub over "fake" AMG or M badging on mid grade luxury cars then in actual AMG and M circles IRL.
ChafedNinja@reddit
I’m not sure why it has to be binary for some people. I think the X6 and GLE Coupe are ugly and strangely proportioned, but the Cayenne and GV80 coupes both look great imo. Size also plays a factor. I think the X4 and GLC Coupe are pretty cool looking and should be seen as more practical sedans instead of less practical SUVs.
animealt46@reddit
I really liked the original BMW X6 a lot but agree about your rankings for the current models.
xlb250@reddit
It’s more like 25-50% less luggage space. Can only fit 2-3 full size luggages instead of 4.
BloodDK22@reddit
Oh. A pointless SUV. $170k and gets less attention and looks than a Buick rendezvous. Brilliant.
FlyForFree_@reddit
Oh. A pointless BRZ. $37k and has less horsepower than a Buick rendezvous. Brilliant.
BloodDK22@reddit
Sensitive cayenne owner. I’d expect people on car forums to be enthusiasts. Not lusting after stupid SUVs that are for taking kids to soccer practice. But keep going. Soon they’ll be a $400K SUV turbo GTS S limited edition. Kewl.
FlyForFree_@reddit
And you still have trouble accelerating on a slight incline
BloodDK22@reddit
Incorrect. And don’t take a corner in an SUV, it will roll over like the dog doing tricks. :). That’s fine, you flexed a lot here. You win. Porsche will make a minivan next. The Van GTS S. Preorder time!
FlyForFree_@reddit
Wait hold on you’re cooking now…. Where can I buy?
BloodDK22@reddit
Special invite - like with high end Ferrari's. They call ya. Im waiting too. :-)
PSfreak10001@reddit
Damn you didn't have to take it so personal
FlyForFree_@reddit
I don’t like haters, so I have become the very thing I swore to destroy
Tw0Rails@reddit
Well aren't you special with all your special badges.
FlyForFree_@reddit
If you think my badges are special you should see the school buses they had me on in school
Puzzled_Region_9376@reddit
🤣. Gotta fence sit on this one owning both. But “less horsepower than a Buick rendezvous is comedy gold”
narwhal_breeder@reddit
All im getting from is that Buick Rendezvous are sick.
boomerbill69@reddit
Obviously, or else Tiger himself wouldn't have driven one.
FlyForFree_@reddit
Yes. Nice wagon btw. Also GR > BRZ
chandy_dandy@reddit
I continue to not understand super SUVS I understand the principle of wanting to have your cake and eat it too, but the competing target goals are directly in contradiction with each other where even boat loads of money into engineering and special materials etc still can't really deliver a car that excels in something and is memorable for it. Especially with relatively high levels of homogeneity that is demanded by the design philosophy of the super SUV.
With those levels of money to blow and I wanted an SUV I'd get a Range Rover or a Rivian. Still good performance but not making a lot of compromises elsewhere to deliver a level of performance that's fundamentally at odds with the mass of the vehicle. I think I'd forgive an electric super SUV more because of the low CoG in general.
I think the Purosangue is also unique enough such that I can see the appeal, but that's a compromised and extremely expensive vehicle that's in a class of its own.
Hell, I even understand getting a Macan as an upgrade on a GTI basically, but a lot of the super SUVs like the X5M or this have grown to a certain size thats simply at odds with the superness. Theyre also so serious, they don't have the comedy to them that something like a G63 does.
Puzzled_Region_9376@reddit
Idk. It’s interesting because it’s still technically hard imo. Nowadays with all the things available we can make almost any sport car shaped thing blisteringly fast. So much so there’s no more drama associated with it, we’re in an era for gods sake where 700+ horsepower is not head turning anymore just because of technical innovation.
Maybe the inherent limitations of an SUV and finding creative innovative ways to counter them could prove to be enough to add spice back. Or maybe it’ll just be a hell of a grocery getter.
Tw0Rails@reddit
They honestly could overcome them further, but you are already dealing with huge shocks, huge tires, and increased wear on those components.
Not things a buyer thinks about, but they will pay for them over time. Not as much an issue in the 'luxury' segment.
What you cannot engineer out however, is the feel and agility. There will still be much worse body roll, and so much weight even the best tires won't let the car change direction easy.
These are never paper stats of course, everyone only cares about HP and few remember good older cars that habe great feel and feedback enough to care and want thoae things.
Hence the "your an old boomer that like old things, look at the stats". But if you value engagement those things don't matter.
mattvandyk@reddit
I own the non-coupe version of this car; AMA. Reading through the comments has been kinda interesting. Perfect size for a family of 4, ridiculously comfortable, goes like hell, and gets terrific gas mileage. Didn’t buy it for any other reason beyond those.
SavageGooseJack@reddit
Thanks for posting op. Sorry for responding soo late. Great car technically, let me know if there are any cayenne related questions i can answer.
PM_ME_UR_HOT_PANINIS@reddit
Hey Jack. Thanks for everything. In your opinion, is the Turbo worth the ~50k premium over the S hybrid?
Say you had the cash to comfortably afford either, which would you get?
SavageGooseJack@reddit
Hard one to say tbh. You can identically spec the chassis of both cars. So it comes down to whether or not the extra power and almost more importantly the sound of a v8 is worth it to you. Money no object i think the v8 is far more special than the v6 in the cayenne. Value wise though the cayenne s e hybrid is a perfect compromise. I hate to admit it but i would probably do the ehybrid s over both the v8 s and gts as i feel the best part of the cayenne will always be its chassis tuning. In a suv for me at least what i want is a long distance boat, that when asked to can do a back road like a sports sedan.
longgamma@reddit
The depreciation in this would be so brutal lol. If I were in the position to afford a lease on this machine, I’ll still go with the X5 M or the rs6 for the wow factor.
dayvieee@reddit
Depreciation value hits these hard for the first few years. I've been looking to upgrade to a 2-3 year old Cayenne S/GTS and last I checked they were roughly $70-80k used when they were around $120k new.
Sinaistired99@reddit
Cayenne Non-Turbo PHEVs are such a better choice, am i getting old that 730HP seems a lot?
BigOldButt99@reddit
it definitely is a lot, but this thing probably weights like near 6000lbs with the hybrid set up lol
Sinaistired99@reddit
even the Cayenne Hybrid with 400 and something, has sub-5 seconds 0 to 60. but i get it it is a Porsche not a VW.
i live somewhere in world that 100 to 200 hrsprs is the norm for commuter cars.
quinnsterr@reddit
I think the cayenne coupe is the only coupe SUV that looks better then the non coupe
cakeboss451@reddit
Cayenne sits between the Q8 and them and the Urus, and in my opinion it is better than either of those two options. The customizability (crucial for both porsche's bottom line and customer satisfaction), handling dynamics, day to day livability, and powertrain choices make the cayenne an expensive but worth while purchase