Surprisingly Powerful, Even in the Base Model

photo by Porsche Newsroom

The base Cayenne Electric is a genuinely impressive car.

I drive almost every new Porsche model, and this one made a stronger impression than most. My time behind the wheel was brief, so this is a short review—but I couldn’t resist sharing my thoughts.

In the base Macan and Taycan, I’ve often wanted a little more power and torque—the shove you feel when you press the accelerator. The electric Cayenne is different. It’s seriously powerful. Despite its size, it never feels heavy or sluggish. If anything, it feels agile.

The motors deliver their power beautifully, too. There’s none of the abruptness often associated with EVs; the response is remarkably smooth. At the same time, there’s none of the lack of punch at takeoff or low speeds that can affect today’s gasoline cars, which are increasingly tuned for efficiency to meet emissions regulations. It manages to be both smooth and powerful.

The numbers are worth a look. The base Cayenne Electric produces 300 kW (408 PS) in normal operation. With Launch Control—the system that delivers the quickest possible start from a standstill—it puts out 325 kW (442 PS) and up to 835 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, reaches a top speed of 230 km/h, and offers up to around 640 km of range on the WLTP test cycle. The top-of-the-range Turbo Electric delivers 850 kW (1,156 PS) with Launch Control, but even the base model’s figures leave little room to complain about a lack of power.

The Handling Is Pure Porsche

photo by Porsche Newsroom

The handling is unmistakably Porsche.

Turn the wheel and the car responds exactly as it should. The tires feel firmly planted on the road, and the steering is precise. I couldn’t find a thing to fault.

Tesla knows how to deliver EV acceleration. But I don’t think it can match the steering feel and road-holding confidence of the Cayenne Electric. This is an EV carrying a heavy battery, yet it still drives like a Porsche. That, I think, is where this car’s real value lies.

V6-Like in Sport, V8-Like in Sport Plus

The Cayenne Electric’s cockpit

The sound design is far better than I expected.

In its normal setting, the car is quiet. Switch to Sport mode, and you hear a smooth, even note reminiscent of a V6. It’s just the right sound—the kind that makes you want to keep driving.

In Sport Plus, the most performance-focused drive mode, the base model takes on a rumbling, V8-like sound. It isn’t meant to be an exact engine imitation; it blends electronic and motor-like tones with just enough of an engine-like character. It sounds powerful—and feels fantastic.

The Gasoline Cayenne May No Longer Compete

Many people still have reservations about EVs.

But the Cayenne Electric is an outstanding car that can turn those preconceptions on their head. It’s comfortable, powerful, ultra-smooth, and remarkably agile. It has the full package. I think the gasoline Cayenne may no longer be able to compete.

After I posted about it on X (@boxster_gts), readers of my blog and Porsche owners who had driven the Cayenne Electric replied. They all had the same thing to say: it’s a fantastic car. Even after a short drive, I completely understand why.

カイエンEVに少しだけ試乗
相当良いな、コレ。運動神経はまさにポルシェ。
EVに偏見のない人なら、すぐに違いが分かるはず。
どんなV8もこのスムーズさ、トルクの出方は真似できない。
しかも、音が良い！スポーツならV6風、スポーツプラスならV8風の音で純粋に気持ち良い👍 https://t.co/p5zjayJ8eI

— Hiro@ポルシェがわが家にやってきた (@boxster_gts) October 10, 2026

This is a car I’d especially recommend to anyone who has been avoiding EVs: give it a drive. If you’re looking for the signature Porsche driving experience, the base model is more than enough.