2017 Porsche Cayenne
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV, S E-Hybrid 4dr SUV, S/Gts 4dr SUV, Turbo/Turbo S 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 300–440 hp
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 21 city / 24 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 22 MPG combined — 19% better than the average 2017 standard SUV (18.5 MPG).
- Strong performanceUp to 440 hp, versus about 308 hp for similar 2017 models.
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- Few owner complaints19 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 55 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Porsche Cayenne is a standard SUV offered with 4 engines (3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl and 4.8L 8-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 22 MPG combined (21 city / 24 highway), 19% better than the 2017 standard SUV average of 18.5 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 19 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2017
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 24 to 22
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Cayenne →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: OsnabrüCk, Germany · Leipzig, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2017 Cayenne configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 190.9 in | 76.4 in | 67.3 in | 114.2 in | 65 / 65.7 in | 4,652 lb | 53/47 |
| S E-Hybrid 4dr SUV | 190.9 in | 76.4 in | 67.3 in | 114.2 in | 65 / 65.7 in | 5,181 lb | 53/47 |
| S/Gts 4dr SUV | 190.9 in | 76.4 in | 67.3 in | 114.2 in | 65 / 65.7 in | 4,597 lb | 53/47 |
| Turbo/Turbo S 4dr SUV | 190.9 in | 76.4 in | 66.9 in | 114.2 in | 65 / 65.7 in | 4,982 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayenne S e-Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (AM8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 24 / 22 | +19% | $3,750 | 258 |
| Cayenne S | 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | +8% | $4,100 | 452 |
| Cayenne | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +8% | $4,100 | 432 |
| Cayenne GTS | 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | +3% | $4,350 | 476 |
| Cayenne Platinum | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | +3% | $4,350 | 453 |
| Cayenne Turbo | 4.8L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 17 | -8% | $4,850 | 536 |
| Cayenne Turbo S | 4.8L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 17 | -8% | $4,850 | 536 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Porsche Cayenne.
Similar 2017 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Porsche Cayenne (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2017 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2017 BMW X3 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2017 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 Audi Q7 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2017 Tesla Model X | 295 mi | Not rated | 10 |
| 2017 Porsche Macan | 22 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
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.
Equipment · Nov 28, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V844000 · 142 vehicles
- Problem
- Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid, Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid Platinum Edition, Macan Turbo and Macan GTS vehicles, 2017-2018 Cayenne S, Macan, Cayenne Platinum Edition and Macan S vehicles and 2018 Cayenne vehicles equipped with the optional ski bag. The ski bag fastening strap may have been sewn with incorrect thread, possibly resulting in the strap seams tearing and the ski bag being unsecured in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the ski bag detaches during a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ski bags, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AJ12.
Not every 2017 Porsche Cayenne is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Porsche Cayenne buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Exterior Lighting — 4 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Engine — 4 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 40,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Porsche Cayenne. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Cayenne years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cayenne | 19 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2025 Cayenne | 22 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2024 Cayenne | 19 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 Cayenne | 19 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 5 |
| 2022 Cayenne | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 4 |
| 2021 Cayenne | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 7 | 21 |
| 2020 Cayenne | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 6 | 25 |
| 2019 Cayenne | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 8 | 47 |
| 2018 Cayenne | 22 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 14 |
| 2016 Cayenne | 24 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 40 |
| 2015 Cayenne | 23 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
| 2014 Cayenne | 23 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 50 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Porsche. How we calculate this →