Comparison: Ground clearance Porsche Cayenne vs. competitors 2025

In the world of high-riding luxury chariots, the Porsche Cayenne stands out not just for its brand pedigree but also for its surprisingly practical ground clearance - a figure that has evolved over the models' lifespan. The Cayenne, with its blend of sports car DNA and off-road capability, offers a ground clearance that's savvy enough to handle the pompous speed bumps of the urban jungle while still able to embark on an occasional off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Table of contents:

Porsche Cayenne - How has the ground clearance changed over the generations?

Since its emergence in 2002 as the 955 model, the Cayenne’s ground clearance has been subjected to minor liposuction – it initially didn't boast a specific figure, but after its first facelift in 2007, it stood tall (or should we say modest) at 218 millimeters. Subsequent generations, the 958 and 9YA, trimmed down ever so slightly to a still-adequate 215 and 210 millimeters, respectively. Fast forward to the present day, the latest 2023 facelift version, the Cayenne has marginally hoisted its belly to 212 millimeters - ensuring those fancy undercarriage components are well above harm's way while prancing through lesser roads.

Porsche Cayenne generations

(Ground clearance)
1. Cayenne, Model year 2002 (955) ? mm
2. Cayenne, Model year 2007 (955 (1. Facelift)) 218 mm
3. Cayenne, Model year 2010 (958) 215 mm
4. Cayenne, Model year 2014 (958 (1. Facelift)) 215 mm
5. Cayenne, Model year 2017 (9YA) 210 mm
6. Cayenne, Model year 2023 (Cayenne 9YA (1. Facelift)) 212 mm
The difference in Ground clearance between first generation (955) from 2002 and last generation (Cayenne 9YA (1. Facelift)) from 2023 is 21.2cm mm.
The ground clearance of the current generation of Cayenne is 212 mm.

Variants

Porsche Cayenne variants: Cayenne vs. Cayenne Coupé

(Ground clearance)
1. Cayenne 212 mm
2. Cayenne Coupé 214 mm

The ground clearance compared to other Porsche models

When we peek within the Porsche stable, the Cayenne holds its head - or undercarriage - relatively high. Compared to its sports car siblings, it's the veritable SUV of the family. The track-devouring Porsche 911 GT3 RS and its ilk, including the 911 Sport Classic, and the 718 Boxster, are much closer to the ground, all sitting below 135 millimeters. Even the Taycan Cross Turismo, the electric knight in off-roading attire, stands lower at 146 millimeters. And let's not even speak of the curb-hugging 718 Spyder RS, which is practically doing the splits at 79 millimeters of clearance. In this horde of low-lying Porsches, the Cayenne’s loftier stature is not just a nod to its versatile character but a necessity for its multi-terrain ambitions.

Porsche Cayenne vs other current cars by Porsche

(Ground clearance)
1. 718 Spyder RS 79 mm
2. 911 GT3 RS 100 mm
3. 718 Cayman GT4 RS 103 mm
4. 911 Carrera T Coupé 115 mm
5. 911 Sport Classic 115 mm
6. Panamera Sport Turismo 124 mm
7. Taycan 127 mm
8. Taycan Sport Turismo 127 mm
9. Taycan Sport Turismo Turbo 128 mm
10. Taycan Turbo 128 mm
11. Panamera GTS Sport Turismo 128 mm
12. 718 Boxster 131 mm
13. 718 Boxster GTS 131 mm
14. 718 Boxster T 131 mm
15. Panamera 133 mm
16. 718 Cayman 133 mm
17. 718 Cayman GTS 133 mm
18. 718 Cayman T 133 mm
19. Panamera Turbo 138 mm
20. Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo 138 mm
21. 911 Dakar 161 mm
22. Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo 176 mm
23. Taycan Cross Turismo 178 mm
24. Macan 184 mm
25. Cayenne 212 mm
26. Cayenne Coupé 214 mm
27. Macan Turbo 224 mm

How does the ground clearance of the Porsche Cayenne compare to it's nearest competitors?

However, the vehicular kingdom is vast, and within it, the Cayenne faces competition that treads both higher and lower. For instance, it necks with the Volvo XC40, sporting a nearly identical 211 millimeters of clearance but dwarfs the Mercedes-Benz GLA, which tiptoes at 134 millimeters. Naturally, it bows to true mountain goats like the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and the Lamborghini Urus, which peek down from heights of 215 and a cloud-scraping 248 millimeters, respectively. Still, the Cayenne commands respect, nestling into an elegant middle ground where it isn't scraping its belly like the low-riding Mercedes or reaching for the skies like the lofty Urus. It strikes a pose that caters to those who demand Porsche performance flavored with a dash of practicality - high enough to clear more than a speed bump, yet not so high that you need base jumping equipment to alight.

Porsche Cayenne vs. similar cars

(Ground clearance)
1. Lamborghini Urus 2022 248 mm
2. Aston Martin DBX 2020 235 mm
3. BMW X7 2022 221 mm
4. Subaru Crosstrek 2024 220 mm
5. Jaguar F-Pace 2021 218 mm
6. Land Rover Range Rover Velar 2023 213 mm
7. Land Rover Discovery Sport 2019 212 mm
8. Porsche Cayenne 2023 212 mm
9. Genesis GV80 2021 205 mm
10. Toyota Highlander 2021 202 mm
11. Renault Arkana 2021 199 mm
12. Genesis GV70 2021 185 mm
13. Ferrari Purosangue 2023 185 mm
14. Suzuki Across 2020 180 mm
15. Honda ZR-V 2023 180 mm
16. Porsche Macan 2021 177 mm
17. Mitsubishi ASX 2023 174 mm
18. Renault Symbioz 2024 169 mm
19. Mazda CX-80 2024 165 mm
20. GWM WEY 05 2024 160 mm
21. WEY Coffee 01 2022 160 mm
22. Lexus UX 2019 160 mm
23. Renault Rafale 2024 145 mm
24. Mercedes-Benz GLB 2023 135 mm

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