2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS First Drive Review and Video

Purists and pundits alike often wax poetic about Porsche’s inflection point that extended from the 1990s into the early part of this century.

While pundits often do so with a sort of congratulatory tone, devout fans tend to treat it with an asterisk – as if their beloved brand was forced to build the models that have ultimately kept Porsche alive and thriving. In reality, what started as one of those almost ancillary entries has evolved into what’s among the brand’s most well-rounded offerings.

Drilling down even further, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS marks a unique pinnacle amongst the baker’s dozen variants of this sport utility spread across coupe and conventional body styles. It’s far from the big dog – that title is reserved for the outrageous Turbo GT – but takes advantage of a bunch of the most exciting elements Porsche has to offer. The result is an exhilarating yet useful SUV with the goods to make even the most dedicated Porschephile grin with pure joy.

Hardly a Downgrade

Available in both “coupe” and conventional body styles, the Cayenne GTS borrows some of the Turbo GT’s chassis parts and tuning and pairs them with a slightly less powerful engine. Even so, at 493 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque, it’s certainly no slouch. The twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 under the hood helps propel this full-figured SUV from a standing start to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.7 seconds (4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package).

It’s almost comical to consider a V8-powered anything as light and nimble, but compared to the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants, the Cayenne GTS wriggles and squirms its way through winding roads like the smaller Macan. Credit the standard torque-vectoring system as well as the steering linkages that were borrowed from the Turbo GT to give this model more negative camber than the lesser Cayenne S.

Other upgrades include a water-cooled transfer case for the all-wheel drive system (again, borrowed from the Cayenne Turbo GT), adaptive air suspension, electro-hydraulic anti-roll bars, and electronic trickery courtesy of the brand’s electronic damping and traction management systems, all of which has been tweaked and tuned for service here. It’s all very classically Porsche in the way the various components work together to make a good vehicle even better.

All in the Name

Just as it is across the rest of the Porsche lineup, the Cayenne GTS – short for Gran Turismo Sport – aims to scratch the itch of driving enjoyment without leaning too far into the hardcore; again, that’s what the Turbo GT is for. Whether the conventional shape or the sportback-style coupe, there’s an incredible agility here that coexists with serious comfort.

When driven in a relaxed manner, the Cayenne GTS soaks up road imperfections like a proper premium SUV should. Even with massive 22-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile tires, the roughest asphalt in all of Georgia wasn’t enough to upset the composure of this peoplemover. It’s also incredibly quiet inside, with nary a hint of wind and road noise interrupting the tranquility of the cabin.

With the drive dial spun into sport or sport plus, however, the true intentions of this SUV are immediately apparent. With no shortage of off-camber corners in and around the northeast corner of Georgia near the Tennessee border, this Cayenne is Porsche performance personified. Not a millimetre of body roll is felt as it changes direction, a byproduct of those slick anti-roll bars, while the hulking engine under the hood never makes its weight known to the driver.

Simply put, the Cayenne GTS remains composed and balanced through the tightest of twists and turns, betraying its bulk in the best ways. The smaller-diameter steering wheel it’s been fitted with is also a nice touch, with quicker input response as a result.

While the turbochargers are of the single-scroll variety this time around, a design that tends to be at its best at higher engine speeds, throttle response remains sharp across the rev range. Dive into a corner and decide halfway through to drop the hammer, and all 487 lb-ft of torque is at the ready, helping this hefty machine feel anything but as it claws its way forward with incredible quickness.

Lightweighting that Works

Opting for the Lightweight Sport package ($8,570) might seem like a senseless upgrade for an SUV, especially considering it only cuts about 33 kg (73 lb) from the curb weight, but the coupe-exclusive option elevates the experience entirely. Not only does it look great with its full carbon fibre roof panel, but the sound-deadening that’s been removed brings all kinds of extra engine and exhaust sounds into the cabin to give them the attention they deserve. It’s not as if the standard setup sounds bad, but the lightweight option only adds to the immersiveness.

Justified Price Tag

Slotting into the lineup between the PHEV models, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS starts at $134,800 before options, extras, and taxes. That’s for the conventional version; expect to pay $5,000 more for the more stylish – but less practical – coupe. Of course, upgrades can make it more expensive still, but there’s plenty of performance to justify the price tag.

Those who aren’t quite convinced of the greatness on offer here can opt for the Cayenne S that starts at $111,500 instead, while the sportback-styled Audi SQ8 starts at $121,550. Over at BMW, the X5 and X6 are offered with the M60i treatment for $105,000 and $108,000, respectively, while the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 can be had for $116,000 (and $119,500 for the coupe). But none of those rivals delivers the same distillation of driving enjoyment as the Cayenne GTS, which feels focused, fun, and functional.

Final Thoughts

In spite of the emphasis that’s been placed on performance, the 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS remains useful for everyday tasks. Yes, it’s a driver’s SUV – but it’s also a quiet and comfortable commuter that can tow as much as 3,500 kg (7,716 lb). It should be difficult to expect surprises from Porsche these days, and yet the brand has delivered another pleasant one here. Where the range-topping Turbo GT comes with compromise, this GTS version is about as well-rounded as they get.