Stability at consistently high speed on long, open motorway stretches is another strong point. It tracks straight and true with minimal driver input deep into triple-digit territory. There’s a real sense of calm, especially in Comfort mode, where the chassis breathes with the surface.
Part of this can be attributed to the aerodynamic measures Porsche has integrated: the ride height lowers automatically by 10mm above 44mph (20mm in Sport Plus mode) and by 30mm above 84mph.
That blend of effortlessness and involvement is what ultimately defines the driving experience. The Turbo has the performance to astonish, but it’s the fluency of its chassis that makes it compelling. Less powerful models, including the standard Cayenne and the S, are expectedly more relaxed in their character, yet they preserve the same core dynamic clarity. They may not deliver the same straight-line urgency, but the way they link corners and settle into a rhythm is proof of well-tuned chassis fundamentals.
Off road, the Cayenne Electric is more capable than it will probably ever need to be. At Porsche’s test facility, I get a chance to attack steep gravel climbs and twisting descents in the Cayenne S. With a dedicated Off-Road mode incorporating Gravel, Sand and Rock sub-modes, it crawls up inclines at walking pace with astonishing throttle control. Power delivery is so precisely metered that it responds smoothly, with no lurch or delay.
Descent control is equally refined, blending regenerative braking and downhill speed control in one for smooth progress on extreme grades. Thanks to the air suspension, there’s a total of 245mm of ground clearance.
The locking differential doesn’t just come into play on the road: it also shapes the car’s behaviour off it, maintaining traction in tricky conditions by sending torque to the wheel that needs it most. Not all Cayenne Electric models will get it, but it adds a valuable layer of capability for those who seek it.