2021 Porsche Cayenne GTS first handling review: The right place to be

The Porsche GTS badge is bestowed on some of its best driving vehicles, located in a space above the base models but underneath the true craziness of the Turbo and Turbo S variants. In general, any Porsche is supposed to be good for driving, even its largest SUVs, but GTS treatment takes it one step further. Going back for the 2021 model year, the Cayenne GTS proves that its two-door models can’t have fun.

You usually have to pay for a sinister look, but the Cayenne GTS, and all GTS models, make it standard. It’s also a good look, with tinted headlights and taillights, 21-inch black alloy wheels, and all chrome removal. My tester is a Cayenne GTS Coupé, picking up even more character through sleeker rear bodywork and the additional spoilers that come with it. This specific car also comes with the $ 10,350 Lightweight Sports Package, which adds another inch to the wheel size, plus a carbon-fiber roof and sharper exhaust with centrally mounted tailpipes. Everything looks good, but then again, the old Cayennes look pretty good too.

While the Cashmere Beige Metallic paint ($ 3,150) might not be the most aggressive motif, my tester elevates the character inside with proper houndstooth cloth inserts on the seats, which look and feel fantastic alongside the panels leather-lined interiors. Otherwise, the GTS doesn’t get too hard on the paint, adding some subtle dash finishes and some suede, but generally leaving the rest of the interior as it is. My tester adds a little more sport through the Race-Tex suede on the steering wheel (part of the lightweight package) and the center console handles ($ 1,380). Despite the Coupé’s shortened roof, the second row still has enough room for me to stretch my 6-foot frame into either of the two rear seats – the center has been carved with a storage compartment.

That’s all well and good, but the really important parts of the Cayenne GTS are the ones you can’t see. A V8 has triumphantly returned to its under-hood position, replacing the old GTS’s high-voltage V6, and while its 453 horsepower and 457 pound-foot output doesn’t sound impressive against the 541 horsepower, 567 Pound-foot Turbo, I can guarantee you that the GTS makes the most of every inch of its new 4.0-liter. Acceleration starts quickly, but not brutally: Porsche estimates a 0 to 60 mph sprint of 4.5 seconds, dropping to 4.2 with launch control. The Coupe builds speed quickly, but not so It quickly catches me off guard, even though most of my mental power is spent enjoying the loudest barking noises like a pack of pissed-off dogs as the revs increase.

That’s the name of the game with Cayenne GTS: predictable, but broad performance. Acceleration only tells part of the story; Despite being on the bigger side, the Cayenne GTS is nimble. In its sportier modes, Sport and Sport Plus, the standard air suspension keeps things stiff enough and keeps the body flat in tight corners. The steering, which has been adjusted to provide a better feel, is tight and direct, and the carving in the corner of my tester has been further enhanced through all-wheel steering ($ 1,620) and active stabilizer bars ( $ 3,590). The eight-speed automatic transmission is fully competent, making shifts so precise I thought it was dual-clutch, and it maintains speeds at high revs when placed in one of the sportier modes, though I prefer to use the shift paddles for a bit. more control.

Usually leaving the suspension in its softer comfort setting and keeping the powertrain in a sharper setting is my jam, but that’s not the case with the Cayenne GTS. Comfort mode is actually road Too smooth for brisk driving, which is fine, because that means regular driving is rewarded with impressive comfort. Combined with thicker glass ($ 1,130), the cabin is serene and push-free in everyday use. Although the GTS is about driving, Porsche clearly understands that owners occasionally want to relax.

Some of the prices mentioned may sound terrible at first glance, but that’s normal for the course at Porsche. Despite the Cayenne GTS Coupe starting at $ 111,850 including the $ 1,350 destination, a surprising amount of kit is no standard. While I understand that Porsche wants every owner to really personalize their next car, I don’t think it’s appropriate at this price to charge $ 940 for keyless access, $ 420 (nice) for auto-dimming mirrors, $ 990 for four-climate control zones or $ 1,060 for four heated seats. Besides the frustration is the fact that you can see gray buttons for missing options in the center console. Even in this price bracket, you are still ashamed. The out-of-door price of my tester is a staggering $ 162,760. Jesus.

Fortunately, most Cayenne GTS technology is standard. Four USB-C ports provide juice for each passenger, but with the addition of wireless connection Apple CarPlay (standard) and device charging ($ 690), the cable is not technically necessary, although it’s frustrating that Android Auto It is not yet present. Smack dab in the center of the dashboard is a 12.3-inch screen that runs the Porsche Communication Management infotainment system. It’s one of my favorites, with tons of configurability, individual controller setups, a Wi-Fi hotspot, built-in navigation, whatever. Two smaller displays flank the center tachometer in the gauge cluster, bringing items like map and audio information to the front and center for the driver. This is further enhanced by my tester with a $ 1,720 display screen that, while small, puts all relevant information even closer to the road.

When it comes to security, it’s time to pay the piper once again. An immersive vision camera system with impressive resolution will cost you $ 1,200. A night vision outfit adds another $ 2,420 to the bill, and blind spot monitoring requires $ 950. However, the good and proper things are hidden behind Porsche’s InnoDrive suite, which combines adaptive cruise control, active assistance. direction and lane keeping assistance to keep vehicle traffic in your lane. This practical system feels quite solid, with very little lateral movement and smooth braking when necessary. I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to drive this car yourself, but hey, everyone needs a break every now and then.

It should come as no surprise that the Porsche Cayenne GTS 2021 is a hoot down the road, because every iteration that occurred before has been equally exciting. Whether you want it as a “coupeover” or not, the GTS will reward you with a driving experience that other sports SUVs should aspire to.