The differences between the Porsche Macan and Cayenne SUVs

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: what are the differences?

Discover the key differences between the Porsche SUV models

July 30, 2025 | 9 min read

Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé and Porsche Macan 4S Electric

The Macan Electric and Cayenne are two of the most popular Porsche models, blending SUV practicality with the standout performance and dynamic ability. But what makes each one different?

Porsche broke the mould when it introduced its first SUV, the Cayenne, in 2002. Here was a spacious, five-seat luxury SUV with true Porsche driving dynamics and performance. It proved to be hugely successful – and continues to be one of the most popular Porsche models today.

In 2013 Porsche introduced its second SUV, the Macan. Smaller and even more agile than the Cayenne, yet still a practical five-seater, it opened up Porsche SUV ownership to an even wider audience. In 2024, a second generation of Macan was introduced – featuring the same blend of qualities but this time as an all-new, pure-electric model.

Here we compare the latest versions of the Porsche Macan Electric models and Porsche Cayenne, outlining the key differences – and similarities – between them.

Porsche Macan 4S Electric parked on road in Monaco — The Cayenne/Cayenne Coupé and Macan Electric SUVs are different dimension-wise, but not appreciably so. For example, the Cayenne models are around 150mm (6 inches) longer than the Macan 4S Electric pictured here Photo: Porsche

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: size

The most obvious difference between the Porsche Macan Electric and Porsche Cayenne is their size. The Macan is a mid-size SUV, whereas the Cayenne is a large SUV that’s bigger in every dimension. Another difference is that the Cayenne is available in two distinct body styles – the standard model and the Cayenne Coupé, which has a lower, sportier rear section that echoes the shape and sloping roofline of the iconic Porsche 911.

Comparing the base versions of each model, the Cayenne and Cayenne Coupé are almost 150mm (about six inches) longer than the Macan Electric, with an overall length of 4930mm (66.9 inches). The Macan Electric checks in at 4784mm (188.3 inches).

There’s not a great difference in width between Porsche SUV models – at 1983mm (78.1 inches), the Cayenne (and Cayenne Coupé) are 45mm (1.8 inches) wider than the Macan Electric at 1938mm (76.3 inches).

The Cayenne is the tallest car, with a roofline that, at 1698mm (66.9 inches), is 75mm (3 inches) higher than the Macan Electric, which checks in at 1623mm (63.9 inches). The Cayenne Coupé has a slightly lower profile than the Cayenne SUV, at 1678mm (66.1 inches).

Luggage compartment with rear seats folded in Porsche Macan 4 — As a large SUV, the Porsche Cayenne has significant luggage capacity, while the Macan 4 displayed here shows the benefits of an all-electric drivetrain layout when it comes to space. With rear seats folded, its capacity is 1348 litres (47.6 ft³) Photo: Porsche

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: load space

Every Porsche SUV has a large luggage compartment, but the Porsche Cayenne has the biggest load space of all, with a capacity of 772 litres (27.3 ft³) up to the load cover.

The tapered rear bodywork of the Cayenne Coupé gives it a capacity of 592 litres (20.9 ft³) while the Macan Electric, thanks to its cleverly packaged electric drivetrain, has a spacious 540-litre (19.1 ft³) luggage compartment – plenty enough to make it a practical choice for families.

You can fold the rear seats to create a larger load space in every Macan Electric or Cayenne model. Do so and the maximum available space is 1708 litres (60.3 ft³) in the Cayenne and 1502 litres (53.0 ft³) in the Cayenne Coupé. You get 1348 litres (47.6 ft³) in the Macan Electric, although it has an additional 84 litres (3 ft³) of storage space in a ‘frunk’ at the front of the car.

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: seats and practicality

There are at least four seats in every Porsche SUV. The Macan Electric has five seats as standard, while the Porsche Cayenne SUV has a five-seat layout as standard, with two full-size outer seats and smaller middle seat in in the rear. The Cayenne Coupé has a four-seat layout – two seats in the rear – as standard.

Four adults can sit comfortably in all variants of the Macan and Cayenne, but the Cayenne is most spacious, as you’d expect given its extra size and longer wheelbase. The Cayenne Coupé is almost as accommodating, with back seats mounted slightly lower to compensate for its sloping roofline. In addition, both Cayenne models have sliding rear seats that allow you to prioritise passenger legroom or boot space, as well as reclining backrests that allow rear-seat passengers to fine-tune their seating position.

While Porsche Macan Electric models miss out on this extra rear-seat functionality, they are still practical cars that are a good fit for families. The Macan Electric is especially roomy, with a wheelbase that’s just 2mm (0.1 inches) shorter than that of the Cayenne.

The electric engine of the Porsche Macan 4 — While the Cayenne range is available in petrol and E-Hybrid versions, the Macan Electric features only all-electric models. Pictured is the power behind the Macan 4 which, like all the Macan Electric models, is designed for sustained performance and high efficiency Photo: Porsche

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: price

The cost of a Macan Electric ranges from $78,000-$109,100 in the USA. In the UK the range is £68,500-£96,900. Prices in Germany range from €80,700-€114,600, while in China it is CNY 598,000-CNY 968,000. For the UAE, the range is AED 308,100-AED 419,800 and in Saudi Arabia the figures are SAR 342,900-SAR 469,500.

Prices for the Porsche Cayenne reflect the fact that it’s a larger and even more luxurious model, ranging from $88,800 to $162,500 in the US. In the UK the range is £77,500-£140,600. Prices in Germany range from €101,500-€187,600, while in China it is CNY 918,000-CNY 1,948,000. For the UAE, the range is AED 394,900-AED 719,100 and in Saudi Arabia the figures are SAR 447,900-SAR 808,900.

The Cayenne Coupé costs slightly more again in the US, starting at $94,900 and rising to $210,600 for the Cayenne Coupé Turbo GT. The range in the UK starts at £81,900 rising to £166,100 for the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package, while in Germany prices range from €105,200-€217,500. In China, prices are from CNY 1,048,000-CNY 2,508,000. For the UAE, the range is AED 400,600-AED 851,900 and in Saudi Arabia the figures are SAR 454,400-SAR 966,200. All prices above are correct as of 23 July 2025.

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: engines and transmission

Whether it’s the Macan or Cayenne, each model provides characteristic Porsche power and performance.

The big difference between the Macan Electric and the Cayenne is that the former is powered exclusively by a single-speed transmission and either one or two electric motors – for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Cayenne features six-cylinder or eight-cylinder petrol engines, with an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard. The Cayenne offers the option of hybrid power. Cayenne Hybrid models have a plug-in hybrid powertrain that adds an electric motor to either petrol engine for additional power, lower fuel consumption and emissions and a pure-electric range of up to 76km (47 miles).

Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupé — The Porsche Cayenne Coupé models, like this Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupé, combine the practicality of powerful hybrid engines and the sporty design that characterises all Porsche models Photo: Porsche

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: model range and power outputs

The Macan Electric range kicks off with a base model that has a single electric motor, for rear-wheel drive and an output of 360 PS with Launch Control. The Macan 4 Electric, Macan 4S Electric and Macan Turbo Electric have an extra electric motor, giving all-wheel drive and outputs (with Launch Control) of 408 PS, 516 PS and 639 PS respectively.

Even the entry-level version of the Cayenne has prodigious power, with 353 PS from its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, while the Cayenne S has a bi-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with 474 PS. The even sportier Cayenne GTS has a more powerful variant of the V8 with 500 PS.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid adds an electric motor to the 3.0 V6 for a combined total of 470 PS, while the Cayenne S E-Hybrid combines the 4.0 V8 with an electric motor for a 519 PS output. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid is the most powerful Cayenne ever, with 739 PS and 950 Nm of torque.

Porsche Macan Turbo on track at Porsche Experience Center, Leipzig — The Macan Turbo Electric pictured here is the fastest model in the range, with a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of just 3.3 seconds. The fastest Cayenne E-Hybrid is the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package, which hits the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) mark in 3.6 seconds Photo: Porsche

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: performance

Despite their differences in size and weight, the Porsche Macan and Porsche Cayenne give similarly exhilarating performance.

The Macan Electric has a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 5.7 seconds with Launch Control and a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph) for the entry-level model. At the other end of the range, the Macan Turbo Electric highlights the potency of the E-Performance powertrain, with a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of just 3.3 seconds with Launch Control and a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph).

The Porsche Cayenne achieves similar figures through different means; the entry-level Cayenne with Sport Chrono Package can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 248 km/h (154 mph), while the range-topping Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with Sport Chrono Package has a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 295 km/h (183 mph).

Porsche Cayenne on the road in hilly countryside — The Cayenne/Cayenne Coupé and Macan models give you sportscar performance in SUV form courtesy of innovations such as Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as well as options including Adaptive Air Suspension Photo: Porsche

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: chassis and driving

An array of chassis innovations help both the Macan and Cayenne to deliver sports car driving characteristics in an SUV body. Specifications vary by market, but in most locations Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is standard for all but the entry-level versions of the Macan Electric as well as being standard for all versions of the Cayenne and Cayenne Coupé.

Steel spring suspension is the default set-up for most Macan Electric models, with Adaptive Air Suspension standard for the range-topping Macan Turbo Electric and optional for the rest of the range. Adaptive Air Suspension is standard for a higher percentage of the Cayenne range, and optional for other models.

Higher-spec Cayenne and Cayenne Coupé models also come with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) – it’s an option for other models in the range and optional across the entire Macan Electric range. Rear-axle steering is an option for all Macan Electric and Cayenne models.

An off-road design package – which increases ground clearance by 10mm when air suspension is fitted – is available for some Macan Electric models. Certain Cayenne models are available with a more dedicated off-road package that includes reinforced underbody protection with skid plates and a compass display on the dashboard.

Interior shot showing cockpit of Porsche Cayenne S — Both the Cayenne/Cayenne Coupé and Macan model ranges boast a comfortable, luxury experience to match their credentials for performance and practicality. Pictured here is the cockpit of the Cayenne S Photo: Porsche

Porsche Macan vs Porsche Cayenne: tech and equipment

Specifications vary by market, but every Macan and Cayenne model comes with a wealth of convenience, comfort and safety equipment.

As standard, even the entry-level Macan includes features such as LED headlights, 8-way electric front seat adjustment and wireless smartphone charging. The Cayenne, as a more luxurious model, builds on this with additional features such as matrix LED headlights, soft-close doors and an automatic tailgate with gesture control, even for the entry-specification model. You can find a full list of specification for each model on the respective Macan and Cayenne configurators.

Consumption and emission information

Cayenne (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 11.7 – 10.7 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 267 – 243 g/km; CO₂ class: . Cayenne S (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 12.6 – 12.0 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 287 – 272 g/km; CO₂ class: . Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupé (WLTP): Fuel consumption weighted combined: 4.4 – 3.9 l/100 km; Fuel consumption with depleted battery combined: 10.5 – 9.8 l/100 km; Electric energy consumption weighted combined: 31.3 – 19.0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions weighted combined: 101 – 89 g/km; CO₂ class weighted combined: ; CO₂ class with depleted battery: . Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé (WLTP): Fuel consumption weighted combined: 5.3 – 4.8 l/100 km; Fuel consumption with depleted battery combined: 11.9 – 11.3 l/100 km; Electric energy consumption weighted combined: 34.4 – 20.0 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions weighted combined: 120 – 108 g/km; CO₂ class weighted combined: ; CO₂ class with depleted battery: . Macan 4 Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 21.1 – 17.9 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: . Macan 4S Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 20.7 – 17.7 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: . Macan Turbo Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 20.7 – 18.9 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: .

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