Porsche Cayenne

This third generation of Cayenne arrived for the 2019 model year and, true to Porsche tradition, the German automaker has made notable yearly updates. This includes the addition of new trims—such as the return of the sport-tuned GTS model for 2025—and the addition of new tech and safety features. Even the base Cayenne has 348 horsepower and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. Helping to keep this power under control is the inclusion of standard all-wheel drive.

The Cayenne’s acceleration times drop considerably when moving up the trim ladder. For example, the GTS slashes this time to around 4.1 seconds. That’s quick for a sports car, much less a five-passenger SUV with around 27.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the split-folding second row. Cayenne buyers can upgrade to anything from a twin-turbo V8 to a plug-in hybrid variant (the Cayenne E-Turbo Hybrid) that delivers 24 miles of electric driving range

Pricing is high, but the interior quality is outstanding, with material quality befitting a vehicle at this price point. There are some quirks when navigating the infotainment system, however, and fuel economy is definitely not a bragging point with the Cayenne.

The second-generation Cayenne improved on an already good thing. Known for its excellent driving dynamics, the Cayenne 2.0 variant added more powerful engines and improved tech and was notably trimmed down in terms of curb weight. Interior quality was also improved from the already impressive cabin found in the first-gen Cayenne. On a practical note, Porsche also carved out more cargo space—though many rival luxury SUVs still provided roomier trunks. The dashboard design was revised to create a more cockpit-like ambience, similar to Porsche's Panamera luxury sedan. This button-intensive revision looked impressive but definitely takes time to fully master.