New electric Porsche Cayenne goes through first range test

Porsche is almost finished with developing its first-ever all-electric Cayenne, and early tests show this new luxury electric SUV is something else entirely. Porsche's newest addition to its growing EV portfolio is shaping up to be quite a powerhouse, especially when it comes to how far it can travel on a single charge.

Test drives of prototypes of the 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV in the California desert have revealed really impressive numbers. One of the tested vehicles managed to travel for 353 miles with 3% of its battery still remaining, suggesting a real-world range that exceeds 350 miles. That's an okay number on this test, although far from the top of the chart.

Another vehicle tested during the same event delivered an estimated range of 328 miles. These figures place the Cayenne EV comfortably in competition with established rivals like the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, and Cadillac Lyriq.

A key ingredient behind the impressive range is a large 113-kWh battery pack. But the size is just one piece of the puzzle that a modern EV has become. Porsche has also focused on charging speed, with the Cayenne EV capable of charging at a rate of up to 400 kW and making top-ups incredibly quick.

This is made possible by a new double-sided battery cooling system, a technology that is more advanced than what is currently used in the Porsche Taycan and Macan EVs. This system allows for faster and more efficient heat dissipation - a very important subject for high-speed charging and sustained performance.

The Cayenne EV also comes with a heat pump, which is more efficient than a traditional resistive heater, to warm the cabin in cold weather.

The whole system is designed to capture and reuse waste heat from the battery and motors, optimizing the vehicle's overall efficiency. This level of integration clearly has a positive effect on Cayenne EV's impressive real-world range, even when driving at a constant 70 mph as demonstrated during the tests.

The base model's range is fine, but Porsche is also planning a high-performance version, most likely to be called the Cayenne Turbo Electric. This top-end model is expected to be the most powerful road car Porsche has ever produced, with an output exceeding the 1,019 horsepower of the Taycan Turbo GT.

A new curved infotainment display takes center stage inside the camouflaged prototype, offering a modern user experience with integrated Google Maps and a sleek on-screen keyboard. Add to it a head-up display with augmented reality that projects turn-by-turn directions directly onto the windshield, and the driving experience jumps to a whole new level.

Creating a large, practical SUV with impressive range is one thing. But adding to it cutting-edge charging tech, and the performance worthy of the Porsche name, proves that the company can easily compete with the best in the EV market. Pricing information has not yet been released, but the full reveal of the new Cayenne Electric is expected in November, and it is sure to be one of the most anticipated new electric cars of the year.

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