Comparison: Turning circle Porsche Cayenne vs. competitors 2025
When we talk about the turning radii of cars, aficionados rarely blink at the mention unless you're weaving through the tight corners of Monaco or attempting a deft parallel park on a busy London street. Yet, it's an unsung hero in the world of vehicle dynamics, especially for SUVs the size of small yachts. Enter the Porsche Cayenne - a behemoth that marries the agility of a sports car with the demeanor of a luxury SUV. But how does its turning circle stack up in this marriage?
Porsche Cayenne - How has the turning circle changed over the generations?
Over its generations, starting from the Cayenne 955 in 2002 to the latest Cayenne (9YA) facelift model in 2023, there's been a gradual expansion in its turning circle - from a relatively nimble 11.40 m to a wider 12.20 m. Porsche, it seems, has been quietly expanding the Cayenne’s comfort and capabilities, but at the cost of a slightly less nimble beast. It's akin to wearing wider shoes for more stability; you might not sprint as nimbly, but you'll certainly stomp with more authority.
The difference in Turning circle between first generation (955) from 2002 and last generation (Cayenne 9YA (1. Facelift)) from 2023 is 1 m.
The turning circle of the current generation of Cayenne is 12 m.
Variants
Porsche Cayenne variants: Cayenne vs. Cayenne Coupé
(Turning circle)
1. Cayenne
12 m
2. Cayenne Coupé
12 m
The turning circle compared to other Porsche models
In the Porsche family, the Cayenne does seem to take up a bit more room to perform a full pirouette compared to its siblings. The 911 GT3, for instance, swivels at a delightful 10.40 m, leaving the Cayenne spinning more like a graceful but decidedly larger ballerina. This isn’t surprising, since both Porsches play to starkly different crowds - one pirouettes on the track, while the Cayenne is more likely to be seen pirouetting out of a posh, albeit cramped, city parking space.
Porsche Cayenne vs other current cars by Porsche
(Turning circle)
1. 911 GT3
10 m
2. 911 GT3 RS
10 m
3. 911 S/T
10 m
4. 911 Sport Classic
10 m
5. Taycan
11 m
8. Taycan Turbo
11 m
9. Panamera
11 m
10. Panamera GTS
11 m
13. Panamera Turbo
11 m
20. 911 Dakar
11 m
22. 911 Targa
11 m
23. 911 Targa GTS
11 m
25. 911 Turbo Coupé
11 m
26. 718 Boxster
11 m
27. 718 Boxster GTS
11 m
28. 718 Boxster T
11 m
29. 718 Spyder
11 m
30. 718 Spyder RS
11 m
31. 718 Cayman
11 m
32. 718 Cayman GT4
11 m
34. 718 Cayman GTS
11 m
35. 718 Cayman T
11 m
38. Cayenne
12 m
39. Cayenne Coupé
12 m
40. Macan
12 m
41. Macan Turbo
12 m
How does the turning circle of the Porsche Cayenne compare to it's nearest competitors?
Against its nearest competitors, the Cayenne - maturing like a fine wine - does require a bit more clearance for that elegant twirl. For instance, the Maserati Grecale, a notable rival, lays claim to a larger turning circle of 12.40 m. In contrast, other competitors like the BMW iX3 and the Subaru Solterra match or slightly undercut the Cayenne, with turning circles of 12.10 m and 12.20 m respectively. This puts the Cayenne in a unique spot - it's by no means the most agile on the block, but given its lineage and the luxury it exudes, it practically makes turning circles a moot point. After all, when you're driving a vehicle this splendid, the road bends to you, not the other way around.
Porsche Cayenne vs. similar cars
(Turning circle)
1. Lexus LBX 2024
10 m
2. Genesis GV70 2021
11 m
5. Honda ZR-V 2023
11 m
10. Lexus UX 2019
11 m
15. VW Touareg 2002
11 m
23. Mazda CX-80 2024
12 m
26. BMW X7 2022
13 m
