carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.6L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 17 / 24 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,100 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 435 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $58,444–$71,392 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Porsche Cayenne is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.3/10, while Value at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.0/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining suvs to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.3/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $58,444–$71,392, 13 MPG, seating 5, the Porsche Cayenne sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.2/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2016 Porsche Cayenne will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on value if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Porsche Cayenne ranks #947 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 61% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $58,444 starting price is about 62% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Cayenne model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.9/10 | $79,207 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $79,207 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $76,900 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $74,593 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $72,286 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $69,979 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $67,672 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $65,365 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $63,058 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $60,751 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $58,444 | |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $56,137 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Pedals and linkages 23/03/2016 · 16V169000 | Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal… |
|---|---|
| Exterior lighting / Headlights 30/08/2022 · 22V656000 | Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2016 Porsche Cayenne's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #947 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 61% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Porsche Cayenne starts at $58,444 and ranges up to $71,392 across trims (MSRP when new). At 13 MPG, expect roughly $4,038/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Porsche models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.