Porsche Cayenne Coupe

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When big SUVs exist in the same — if not slightly lower — price bracket, why should you consider a coupé SUV? The answer to that is simple — they look unique, are more aerodynamic (therefore faster and slightly more efficient), and have better weight distribution (therefore handle better). The cons of these are also straightforward — less luggage space, and less headroom for rear passengers. And while the pros might not weigh well against the cons for most people, there will be a few out there who are looking just for this — a brisk and agile vehicle that can go on any road while also driving (almost) like a sports car. And if you are one of those, you should look no further than the Porsche Cayenne Coupé. Why is that? We’ll help you find out.

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Pros and Cons

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Exterior Design 

The Indian automotive market is home to multiple coupé SUVs. However, they don't necessarily nail the silhouette design perfectly. While some look good, others not so much. Standing out from the good and the bad is the Porsche Cayenne Coupé, the most beautiful coupé SUV in India. 

From the front, the Cayenne Coupé is virtually indistinguishable from the standard Cayenne SUV. The latest model features sharper MATRIX LED headlamps and redesigned bumpers, making the entire front end look that much more chic and elegant. As standard, the Cayenne Coupé gets huge 20-inch wheels, but if those are still too small for you, Porsche will happily sell you wheels up to 22-inches in size. In fact, Porsche offers as many as 24 different wheel designs ranging between 20- to 22-inches in diameter, allowing a lot of room for customizability. 

It is at the back where the Cayenne Coupé distinguishes itself from the standard model (obviously). The roofline swoops down beautifully from the B-pillar, but thanks to a sporty spoiler, the curvature doesn’t look odd. The vehicle's rear end gets a sleeker appearance, and another lip spoiler sits on top of the connected taillights, giving the rear end a very typical Porsche appearance. Decals are also available for those seeking additional stylistic flair, and Porsche also offers custom colour options.

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Interiors 

Inside the Cayenne Coupé, the interior echoes Porche’s high standards, blending luxury with functionality. The first thing that catches your attention is the triple-screen setup on the dashboard (the third screen is an optional extra), making you feel like you are in tech heaven. The Cayenne line-up also gets a restyled centre console, which sees the chunky gear lever replaced with a more space-efficient toggle-style switch on the dash. The climate control panel also gets toggle switches and rotary dials, and they sit on the centre console in place of the gear lever. The design aesthetic comes together really well, delivering a sporty yet luxurious feel. The finish and quality of materials are also top-notch. No component feels over-designed either, and at the same time, nothing looks plain or minimalistic. And if all of that isn’t special enough for you, Porsche offers a ton of customization options to make this feel like your Cayenne Coupé, albeit at hefty premiums.

While the cabin of the Cayenne Coupé is just as much — if not more so — beautiful as the standard Cayenne, it is not as practical. There’s still enough space for five adults, but the headroom is less than that in the Cayenne, thanks to the swooping roofline. Boot capacity is also reduced by almost 75 litres, but it is still more than enough to carry a few days’ luggage for four people.

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Comfort 

In India, the Porsche Cayenne Coupé gets an air suspension as standard, which is equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). This enables the Cayenne Coupé to adapt to varying road conditions, providing a ride quality that is both supple and controlled. Because of its adaptability, the air suspension doesn’t have to balance comfort and dynamics, since it can take care of both at the same time, giving this a ride quality like luxury sedans and agility like a hot hatch! 

In terms of seating too, the Cayenne Coupé does not disappoint. Both front and rear seats are designed with ergonomics in mind, offering ample support and cushioning for short and long journeys. The seats are not only comfortable but also adjustable, catering to different passenger sizes and preferences. A four-zone climate control also adds to the convenience, making the Cayenne Coupé a vehicle where comfort and sportiness coexist harmoniously.

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Performance and Handling

The Porsche Cayenne Coupé might look a size too big, but get behind the wheel and you will instantly realise that it is still a true Porsche. Different driving modes lend it different driving dynamics, ranging from comfortable and relaxing, to engaging, dynamic, and sharp. In Sport Plus mode, the Cayenne Coupé transforms beautifully with the help of adaptive air suspension and steering response, making it feel the size of a sports car. It goes around corners feeling half its weight, with oodles of composure and little to no body roll. Road trips in this will be a bliss, not just for the driver, but also for passengers.

Making it a healthy performer is a 3.0-litre V6 engine under the hood, which gets not one but two turbochargers. The result is 349 bhp and a meaty 500 Nm torque which is available from as low as 1,450 RPM; that’s just a shade higher than idle RPM! With ample pulling power and a lightning-quick 8-speed automatic gearbox, the Cayenne Coupé accelerates effortlessly up to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds — 0.3s quicker than the standard Cayenne. Now yes, 5.7 seconds for a 100km/h sprint isn’t mind-bending, but remember, this is the base variant of the Cayenne Coupé, and more powerful variants like the GTS and Turbo 4S are also available internationally, and may make their way here.

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Key specifications 

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Safety Features

While the latest iteration is yet to be tested, the Porsche Cayenne scored an impressive 5-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP back in 2017. Given that the Cayenne Coupé is based on the same platform, it should return a similar, if not a better score if crash tested. It is equipped with a range of safety features, including all the expected electronic safety aids, advanced parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and more. The optional third screen on the dash — which sits in front of the front passenger seat — also gets a special coating that completely blinds the screen for the driver, to avoid any distractions, and such attention to detail when safety is concerned is something that drives up our appreciation for the brand, and people’s trust in it.

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Technology and Infotainment

The Porsche Cayenne Coupé is a complete tech fest, especially when you take some optional extras into account. For starters, there’s a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that gets a ton of features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster sees an even bigger 12.6-inch display, which replaces Porsche’s iconic five-dial analogue instrument cluster. You can set the display to show five analogue dials like the traditional layout, but there are also tons of other options, including a three-dial layout, a two-dial layout with a digital speed readout in between, and even a navigation display. And if you are in Zen mode and just want to focus on driving, there’s also an option that shows a blank screen, with a small speed readout in the middle.

While the stock kit is already a thing of beauty, the optional extras are even more lovable. For around ₹1.5 lakh more, you can get an additional 10.9-inch screen for the co-passenger. This screen can do pretty much everything that the infotainment screen can, while also allowing the co-passenger to stream content over the air. And if you are wondering if this screen will be distracting for the driver on the move, it won’t, because it gets a coating that blocks angled vision, making it appear completely blacked out from the driver’s perspective. If this isn’t enough to fulfil your content frenzy, Porsche also offers an optional Bose sound system, which delivers out-of-the-world sound quality. It also comes with an out-of-the-world price tag of close to ₹3 lakh, but if money is no object to you, this system is for sure worth its price. There’s also a wireless phone charger, which gets a small air vent to keep your phone from overheating.

Is the Porsche Cayenne Coupé for You?

In the world of premium coupé SUVs, the Porsche Cayenne Coupé sits as a very unique offering. It is one of the few models that blend performance and sportiness with premiumness and luxury well, while making little to no compromises on either front. It is the perfect amount of sporty, while being extraordinarily comfortable, wearing a sporty interior design that is finished in luxurious materials. And on top of that, being a coupé SUV means that this looks even more special than the already gorgeous Cayenne. Apart from its already hefty price tag and the optional extras which will tempt you to spend almost a Fortuner’s worth of money just on add-ons, there’s not much to fault about the Porsche Cayenne Coupé, and if you’re shopping in this particular segment, choosing this should be a no-brainer.