Price (as tested) 💲: $130,250
Powertrain ⚙️: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8
Output 💪: 453 hp/457 lb-ft of torque
Transmission 🕹: 8-speed automatic
0-60 MPH 🚦: 4.2 seconds
Top Speed 💥: 168 mph
MPG (as tested) ⛽️: 15 city/19 hwy/17 combined
Curb weight ⚖️: 4,954 lbs
Since the GTS badge was first applied to Porsche’s race-winning 904 Carrera in 1964, the nameplate has always represented a filtered focus on driving dynamics. GTS versions of the 911 Carrera and other street-legal, two-door Porsches would follow. But in 2007, Porsche unveiled a GTS model Cayenne – a vehicle that itself was a controversial divergence from classic Porsches – to the chagrin of brand purists. Enthusiasts eventually embraced the Cayenne as a “necessary evil” before fully adopting the model as one of the most engaging SUVs on sale. The GTS was even easier to stomach with its V8 engine and mature style. The second generation Cayenne GTS improved upon the vehicle’s driving dynamics, but relinquished two of its cylinders. Fans bemoaned the engine’s altered character – and Porsche listened.
The 2021 Cayenne GTS marks the return of the V8, now aided by a pair of turbochargers to deliver 453 horsepower. Slotting between the V6-powered Cayenne S and 541-horsepower Cayenne Turbo, the GTS doesn’t flash big numbers, but emphasizes driving engagement. With a starting price of $108K, the GTS nudges against more powerful rivals like the BMW X5 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 S, and Maserati Levante GTS. Can the 2021 Porsche Cayenne GTS rise above its spec sheet to impress? Find out in this in-depth review.