Makes›Porsche›Cayenne›2016

2016 Porsche Cayenne

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Porsche Cayenne
Pictured: Porsche Cayenne (III, Facelift) – f 01012025. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV, Diesel 4dr SUV, S E-Hybrid 4dr SUV, S/Gts 4dr SUV
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo
Horsepower
240–440 hp
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel, Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
24 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
Length
190.9 in
Curb weight
4,597–5,181 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 24 MPG combined — 28% better than the average 2016 standard SUV (18.7 MPG).
  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Porsche Cayenne is a standard SUV offered with 4 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 191 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,652 lb (4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 28% better than the 2016 standard SUV average of 18.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2016

  • Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Cayenne →

Trims, performance & features

Engine300–440 hp3.6L 6-cyl
Engine240 hp3.0L 6-cyl

Trims

SGTSDiesel

Built in: Leipzig, Germany · OsnabrüCk, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Cayenne configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV190.9 in76.4 in67.3 in114.2 in65 / 65.7 in4,652 lb53/47
Diesel 4dr SUV190.9 in76.4 in67.3 in114.2 in65 / 65.7 in4,652 lb53/47
S E-Hybrid 4dr SUV190.9 in76.4 in67.3 in114.2 in65 / 65.7 in5,181 lb53/47
S/Gts 4dr SUV190.9 in76.4 in67.3 in114.2 in65 / 65.7 in4,597 lb53/47
Turbo/Turbo S 4dr SUV190.9 in76.4 in66.9 in114.2 in65 / 65.7 in4,982 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cayenne Diesel Diesel3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24+28%$4,000434
Cayenne S e-Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (AM8)All-Wheel Drive21 / 24 / 22+18%$3,750260
Cayenne3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20+7%$4,100435
Cayenne S3.6L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19+2%$4,350461
Cayenne GTS3.6L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18-4%$4,550483
Cayenne Turbo4.8L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 17-9%$4,850536
Cayenne Turbo S4.8L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 16-14%$5,150541
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.7 MPG2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne.

Similar 2016 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Porsche Cayenne (this car)24 MPGNot rated2
2016 BMW X525 MPG★★★★★5
2016 BMW X330 MPG★★★★★5
2016 Lexus RX30 MPGNot rated3
2016 Tesla Model X289 miNot rated12
2016 Porsche Macan19 MPGNot rated6
2016 Lexus LX15 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (2)

Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Aug 30, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V656000 · 222,858 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Mar 23, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V169000 · 88,300 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Risk
If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly circlip, installing any missing circlips, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Porsche Cayenne is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

40Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
16,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other16
Air Bags11
Power Train7
Exterior Lighting5
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Engine5
Electrical System3
Steering1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/10: 119/05: 119/10: 220/11: 121/10: 122/03: 122/05: 123/02: 123/05: 123/06: 223/09: 123/11: 123/12: 124/04: 124/08: 224/09: 224/11: 325/01: 125/10: 125/12: 126/03: 126/05: 226/08: 126/09: 118/1020/1122/0523/0623/1224/0925/1026/05max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Porsche Cayenne buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 11 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Power Train — 7 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Exterior Lighting — 5 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 16,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cayenne years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Cayenne19193.7 inNot rated15
2025 Cayenne22193.7 inNot rated26
2024 Cayenne19193.7 inNot rated55
2023 Cayenne19193.7 inNot rated25
2022 Cayenne21193.7 inNot rated34
2021 Cayenne21193.7 inNot rated721
2020 Cayenne21193.7 inNot rated625
2019 Cayenne21193.7 inNot rated847
2018 Cayenne22190.9 inNot rated114
2017 Cayenne22190.9 inNot rated219
2015 Cayenne23190.9 inNot rated315
2014 Cayenne23190.9 inNot rated350

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Porsche. How we calculate this →