Should You Take the Porsche Cayenne Off Road?
The Porsche Cayenne is more than just a pretty face, it has the performance specs that make it a highly capable off-road vehicle too!
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Forget the camouflage. If you roll up to the remote campsite in a Porsche Cayenne, it's sure to stand out among
Jeeps
, Land Rovers
, and other highly recognizable off-road driving machines. But that doesn’t mean the Cayenne is any less capable! While it may look the part of a luxury city-slicking SUV on the outside, the
Porsche Cayenne
has the performance specs to get you to your off-road destination. This ultimate off-road guide will break down why things like ground clearance, power output, and drivetrain setup make the Porsche Cayenne worthy of the road less traveled. And if you’re not entirely convinced, we analyze some alternative models for comparison.
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now
Can the Porsche Cayenne go off road?
Yes, the Porsche Cayenne is fully capable of handling your off-road needs. However, this capability is more a byproduct of an overcommitment to excellence than intentional design.
Porsches are sports cars, first and foremost. When you slap premier German engineering onto a sturdy SUV frame, you inherently get a competent off-road vehicle, though it isn’t marketed as such.
Ground clearance
The 2022 Porsche Cayenne comes with a standard steel suspension of 8.2 inches and can be upgraded to 9.6 inches with an air suspension system known as Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Not only is this suspension system beneficial to ground clearance, but it creates a smooth ride across rugged terrain.
The ideal ground clearance range for off-roading is between 8.8 and 10.8 inches, so you may want to invest in the PASM if you plan to regularly take your Cayenne down the dirt road.
Torque
When it comes to off-roading, torque is more valuable than horsepower—torque is the force that will help nudge you over the peak of that steep incline.
The 2022
Porsche Cayenne S
has a lot of it, producing upwards of 405 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 to 5,500 rpm. Compare this to a maximum torque of 184 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM on the 2021
Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
, and you can begin to see Porsche’s standard for engineering excellence shine bright.Drivetrain
All Cayenne models come standard with all-wheel-drive. This innovative AWD drivetrain is powered by Porsche Traction & Stability Management, which balances power distribution between axels and enables the vehicle to detect how much power each of its four wheels needs.
You can double down on these driving dynamics by adding the optional Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus. This drivetrain setup is extremely useful for conquering uneven and unpredictable driving terrains.
Angles
Off-roading is all about angles: specifically, the approach angle and departure angle:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
For the 2022 Porsche Cayenne, the steel suspension’s approach and departure angles are 25.2 and 22.1 degrees, respectively, while air suspension bumps those specs to 27.5 and 24.4 degrees.
To compare it from another perspective, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road has a 19-degree approach angle and a 21-degree departure angle.
Off-road rating: Trail Boss
We’ve rated the Porsche Cayenne using Jerry’s super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below:
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The 2022 Porsche Cayenne earns a T rating: even though Porsche isn’t known as an off-road brand, the Cayenne’s performance metrics, body configuration, and handling features make it extremely capable on or off the pavement.
The best off-road alternatives to the Porsche Cayenne
It’s worth mentioning that even though we covered the off-road capabilities of the latest 2022 model, early Cayennes from the 2000s have become a popular canvas for aftermarket suspension upgrades and off-road tires. This is mainly because you can find the older models for less than $5,000, leaving plenty of room in the budget for more adventure-inspired customizations.
This is appealing because if you want to buy a new 2022 Cayenne, you’ll need to be ready to pay a minimum of $69,000—and this starting price may not even include all the off-road bells and whistles we’ve discussed so far.
However, if you’ve decided that a Cayenne isn’t the right off-road vehicle for you altogether, here’s a glimpse into some more alternatives based on adventure preference:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best glamper alternative | Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class | $56,150 | Lacks performance compared to the Cayenne, but the comforting design of the GLE-Class is perfect for glamorous camping. |
Best cargo alternative | BMW X5 | $59,400 | The X5 offers similar handling capabilities to the Cayenne but has more passenger and cargo space. |
Best brand alternative | Land Rover Range Rover Sport | $$69,500 | The innovative performance of the Cayanne reinvents what it means to go off-roading, but if you want to stick with the classics, you can’t go wrong with the Range Rover Sport. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”
Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
Other than your demographics and driving record, insurance providers often consider two factors when determining your
car insurance
rate: accident risk and car’s worth. So if you plan on taking your Porsche Cayenne off-road, you’re a red flag in both categories. But with the help of
Jerry
, the trustworthy super app
, we can find you an insurance provider that accepts you for who you are—without charging you an outrageous rate! As a licensed insurance broker and a comparison shopping genius, Jerry can compare rates from over 55 top insurers in just 45 seconds to find you the quotes that fit your adventurous needs.By shopping with Jerry, users save an average of $800+ per year on car insurance!
“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. After
Jerry
found me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage. I’ll be shopping for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Petra S.RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
4.7
