Porsche Cayenne

An electric successor is on the way, but this sports SUV isn't done with combustion just yet On sale Autumn Price from £69,675

- Will Nightingale

IF YOU'RE AWARE that Porsche is readying an all-new fully electric Cayenne for launch in 2025, you might wonder: why bother investing precious time and money to improve this old petrol-powered model? It was already our top sports SUV for those with deep pockets, so there was clearly nothing wrong with it.

Well, the main reason is because this third-generation Cayenne (launched in 2017) is set to remain on sale until the end of the decade and will be offered alongside the fully electric car. It would be less confusing if the upcoming electric version took a different name, but because it will eventually take over completely, Porsche understandably doesn't want to throw away all the equity the Cayenne badge has built up over the past 21 years.

Porsche describes the refresh as one of the biggest it's ever given to one of its models, although you wouldn't guess to look at it from the outside. Most noticeable among the changes are a beefier 'power bulge' on the bonnet, larger air intakes below and the relocation of the rear number plate from the tailgate to the bumper. All versions also now come with Matrix LED headlights as standard, with the option to upgrade to HD versions that can shape their beam with even greater accuracy and speed, illuminating as much of the road as possible without dazzling other road users.