Porsche Cayenne

FIRST DRIVE Refresh ups the ante for hybrid version of brand's big-selling SUV

- Sean Carson

THE is the car that way for Porsche as we know it today not to mention the model that paid for it, too, with the German firm having sold 1.25 million examples over the past 20 years.

It has a bright future, too, because the car is set to go all electric for its next iteration, expected in 2026. While ICE cars might be on death row, the wait will still be relatively significant for models such as the Cayenne, so Porsche has overhauled the Mk3 version of its big SUV to keep it fresh until the funeral bell finally tolls for petrol power.

And there's lots that is fresh, despite the new Cayenne's silhouette looking familiar. The devil is in the detail, with the headlights sharpened up, featuring new matrix-LED lamps (plus the option of HD-matrix units) with a squarer design that ties in the straight lines and chamfered edges of the new front bumper. There are also sharper front wings and a new bonnet to complete the slightly squarer, bluffer look.

The back end isn't as heavily revised. It features 3D tail-lights and a cleaner rear apron compared with its predecessor's.

There are more changes inside, with the Cayenne receiving a fully digital 12.6-inch dash. The central 12.3-inch display remains, but it's joined by an optional passenger display, measuring 10.9 inches, that can be operated separately from the main screen.