Makes›Porsche›Cayenne›2018

2018 Porsche Cayenne

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 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: 300–520 hp
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
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: 1 campaign

Pros & cons

What's good

Excellent fuel economyUp to 22 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2018 standard SUV (18.7 MPG).
Strong performanceUp to 520 hp, versus about 355 hp for similar 2018 models.
Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 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), 18% better than the 2018 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 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Cayenne — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Cayenne →

Trims, performance & features

Engine300–420 hp3.6L 6-cyl

Engine416 hp3.0L 6-cyl plug-in hybrid

Engine520 hp4.8L 8-cyl

Transmission8-speed automatic

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

Base / Platinum EditionS E-Hybrid / S E-Hybrid Platinum EditionSTurbo / Turbo S

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingOptional

Pedestrian emergency brakingOptional

Forward collision warningOptional

Blind-spot monitoringOptional

Lane departure warningOptional

Lane keeping assistOptional

Adaptive cruise controlOptional

Parking assistOptional

Backup cameraOptional

Automatic high beamsStandard

Adaptive driving beamSome trims

Keyless startOptional

Built in: Osnabruck, Germany · Leipzig, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2018 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	+18%	$3,750	261
Cayenne S	3.6L 6-cyl turbo	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	17 / 24 / 20	+7%	$4,100	452
Cayenne	3.6L 6-cyl	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	18 / 24 / 20	+7%	$4,100	432
Cayenne GTS	3.6L 6-cyl turbo	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	16 / 23 / 19	+2%	$4,350	476
Cayenne Platinum	3.6L 6-cyl	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	17 / 23 / 19	+2%	$4,350	453
Cayenne Turbo	4.8L 8-cyl turbo	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	14 / 21 / 17	-9%	$4,850	536
Cayenne Turbo S	4.8L 8-cyl turbo	Automatic (S8)	All-Wheel Drive	14 / 21 / 17	-9%	$4,850	536

6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

8/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

18.7 MPG2018 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 Porsche Cayenne.

Similar 2018 standard SUVs

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2018 Porsche Cayenne (this car)	22 MPG	Not rated	1
2018 BMW X5	25 MPG	★★★★★	5
2018 BMW X3	25 MPG	Not rated	11
2018 Lexus RX	30 MPG	Not rated	2
2018 Audi Q7	21 MPG	★★★★★	3
2018 Tesla Model X	295 mi	Not rated	9
2018 Porsche Macan	22 MPG	Not rated	6

Recalls (1)

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.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Porsche Cayenne is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

14Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

0Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

0Injuries reported

15,944 miTypical mileage at failure

Electrical System4

Engine3

Unknown Or Other3

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Air Bags2

Visibility/Wiper1

Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control1

Exterior Lighting1

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Porsche Cayenne buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Fuel/Propulsion System — 2 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 15,944 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 2018 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
2017 Cayenne	22	190.9 in	Not rated	2	19
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 →