2027 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric Review: Our first drive of an astonishing 2.7 tonne electric SUV that will crush Ferraris

The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo has the power to disorient. Unleashing its full 850kW and 1500Nm is nothing short of shocking.

Activate its launch control in Sport Plus and you unlock an experience once preserved for hypercar owners. It’s breathtaking, brutal and mind-scrambling as you release the brake pedal and the Turbo hauls its 2.7-tonne mass from standstill to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds, 200km/h in just 7.4 seconds before it goes on to headbutt its 260km/h speed limit shortly after.

Whisper it, we think it might even be quicker still, but old-world politics in Stuttgart means having a zero-emission family EV that’s actually quicker than the hallowed 911 Turbo S isn’t really the done thing.

Nothing is quicker in its growing battery-powered performance EV segment, with the Lotus Eletre taking another 0.5 seconds to reach the same 100km/h benchmark, but as you’ll read, the most remarkable thing about the new Cayenne flagship is it isn’t all about the speed it easily accrues.

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2027 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric price and specifications

On sale in Q3 of this year, when the Cayenne Electric touches down in Australia it will be offered in three grades: the entry 325kW Cayenne Electric ($167,800 plus on-road costs), a mid-range 490kW Cayenne S ($193,100 plus on-road costs) and then the $259,900 (plus on-road costs) Turbo that sits at the top of the tree.

Later on, a more slippery Coupe version will also land for those who fancy sportier styling.

Interestingly, unlike the Macan, which was replaced entirely by the EV version, the current Cayenne petrol and plug-in hybrid will live on and get another refresh to enable it to remain on sale well into the next decade.

We would love to wholeheartedly recommend the still-expensive but most affordable member of the Cayenne family, which is smooth, refined and still offers all-wheel drive and plenty of performance for our speed-limited roads (0-100km/h 4.8 seconds), but it’s the Turbo version that is the true game-changing EV.

The mid-spec Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo are also offered with some trick chassis hardware not available on the cheapest Cayenne Electric.

From launch, just one battery will be offered – a 108kWh NMC chemistry power pack that provides for a range of 624–643km – with the fastest Cayenne Turbo still able to average a reasonable-ish 20.4kWh/100km.

Based on an updated version of the same PPE architecture as the Macan we’ve tested in several forms, the Cayenne shares the mid-sizer’s 800-volt electrics but has a battery that can be refilled at up to 400kW.

Find a new-generation rapid DC charger and at that speed all three take just 16 minutes for a 10–80 per cent top-up.

Using a more common 400-volt charger, Porsche says the Cayenne can be charged at up to 200kW, with the same refill taking around 26 minutes.

AC charging is limited to 11kW, but later after launch the German brand will roll out its pioneering inductive charging that is claimed to be 90 per cent efficient and could see some owners never plug their car in again.

Living with the Cayenne Electric should be a joy, with plenty of space in both front and second row, thanks to a wheelbase some 130mm longer than the petrol. There’s also a large 781-litre boot and a cavernous 90-litre frunk.

Within, the Cayenne cabin is a masterclass of design that blends traditional physical controls and buttons with state-of-the-art tech.

Standard kit for Australian models includes 14-way electric heated and ventilated seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, a 360-degree camera, park assist, four-zone climate control and a Bose premium sound system.

The S version adds 20-inch aero wheels, Matrix LED lamps and a heated steering wheel.

Finally, the Turbo adds Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), the Turbo rear motor, larger 21-inch alloy wheels, HD matrix LED lamps, 18-way adaptive seats, a GT sports steering wheel and an uprated Bose surround sound system.

There’s also a large ‘flow’ infotainment system that bows in the middle, a big, clear 14.5-inch digital instrument cluster and a new 14.9-inch passenger display.

All run the firm’s latest operating system and are combined with a cool 3D augmented-reality head-up display.

While the adaptive height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension is standard, sadly there are plenty of reasons to plunder the options list, especially if you want to unlock the true potential of the Cayenne.

Top of the list is the Active Ride ($17,480) that is costly but worth it and should be combined with rear-wheel steering ($3570). Probably not worth the added cost are the carbon-ceramic brakes our test car employed. Despite being mighty and fade-free, they cost an alarming $19,520.

Once you’ve optioned those, take care, because it’s all too easy to add a further $50,000 in extras making your Cayenne your own.

Like the Macan, Porsche offers a below-average three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, eight-year/160,000km battery warranty, and services are every two years/30,000km.

2027 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric: What we think

Choose the Cayenne Turbo and you will easily have one of the fastest, best-driving performance SUVs ever built, regardless of price.

In regular running, it’s worth mentioning that the driver ‘only’ has 630kW available, which is easily enough to see off most supercars. But peel off onto your favourite country road and you will soon be in awe of how agile and fun the big Porsche is to drive.

In fact, the latest iteration of Active Ride actually now permits some body roll. That movement allows the driver to understand what’s going on beneath the tyres.

Speaking of which, grip is jaw-dropping and the feeling of lightness astonishing in a car this heavy (2.7 tonnes).

Porsche doesn’t believe in Hyundai IONIQ 5 N-style virtual gears or even a pair of paddles to vary brake regeneration, but the Cayenne still delivered plenty of engagement behind the wheel.

Back off and, aside from some noticeable tyre roar from the broad rubber used, the Turbo can play the luxury car role, blending acceptable levels of refinement with devastating levels of acceleration when you need it.

Even off-road, the new Active Ride tech earns its keep. Along with the height-adjustable suspension that provides up to 245mm of ground clearance for wading up to depths of 555mm, the trick chassis allows far more wheel articulation than before.

The rear torque vectoring (standard on the Turbo) plus the sophisticated software governing front and rear motors means the Cayenne is far more capable than ever before.

If you’re worried about nasty scrapes with the scenery, Porsche will even offer an Off-road Package ($5230) that adds a revised front and rear bumper for a better approach and departure angle, plus arches and side skirts finished in a more durable black plastic.

Attach a fixed towball and the Cayenne can even haul up to 3500kg, the same as a Ford Ranger ute but with much more comfort and luxury.

Inside the Porsche SUV you’ll also find one of the best cabin designs in the business, with the German brand meeting the needs of some of its very elderly customers, employing a traditional design but one that blends its latest in-car tech.

With physical dials for the climate control and proper steering wheel buttons, we’re happy to report the tech is intuitive and easy to use on the move.

2027 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric: Verdict

While the entry Cayenne Electric is quiet, refined and quick, it’s the range-topping 850kW Cayenne Turbo that deservedly felt the bigger achievement.

If you can live without a twin-turbo V8 soundtrack, we think many fans of fast SUVs will be seduced by the Electric Turbo’s epic thrust, effortless speed cross-country and surprising comfort that easily sees the most expensive flagship overshadow the two cheaper models.

Letting the side down is its forgettable frontal styling and the fact it’s irritating that you have to pay extra for the trick chassis hardware on such an expensive car. But it remains a price worth paying if you want the best handling SUV in the business.

With the extra optional bits fitted, the Cayenne Electric is a phenomenal achievement. It’s a car, that once you’ve driven it, you’ll buy over its far slower combustion alternatives.

2027 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric specifications

Price: $259,900 (plus on-road costs)
Basics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, AWD
Range: 624km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 113kWh lithium-ion (108kWh usable)
Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km
Energy consumption: 20.4kWh/100km (WLTP)
Motors: 2, 850kW/1500Nm
AC charging: 11kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 400kW
0-100km/h: 2.5 seconds