Welcome to Brand Breakdown, a series of comprehensive yet easy-to-digest guides to your favorite companies, with insights and information you won’t find on the average About page.

Porsche History

Porsche is a German luxury and sports car manufacturer, based in Stuttgart and founded in 1931. The company is best known for its powerful, precise-handling sports cars, most famously the iconic 911. While capable on track, Porsches distinguish themselves by being entertaining on the street and comfortable and durable enough for daily driving.

This century, Porsche has broadened its lineup to include four-door vehicles — both SUVs (the Macan and Cayenne) and sedans (the Panamera and the electric Taycan). This model expansion has greatly increased sales, making the company more stable and profitable.

Volkswagen has had close ties with Porsche since its founding. Ferdinand Porsche designed the Volkswagen Beetle, and that car’s rear-engined legacy still endures to this day in the 911. The companies are closely aligned in business, as well; Porsche and Volkswagen formed an “integrated automotive group” in 2011, and many Porsche vehicles share platforms, parts and engines with Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and other VW brands.

While Porsche only produces seven models, the lineup can get confusing. Three-digit model numbers like 911 and 718 that were once tied to actual generations now have become historical designations; the new 911 is known internally as the 992 model, while the 718 Cayman and Boxster are known as the 982 inside the company and among die-hard fans. And Porsche still offers “Turbo” trims, even though nearly every Porsche now uses a turbocharged engine.

Porsche-Related Terminology

• Air-Cooled: 911s through the late 1990s had air-cooled engines, which ran air over the engine oil to keep it cool rather than using a water-based radiator. These engines are generally simpler, lighter and sound better than newer water-cooled engines, and vehicles with them are highly valued by Porsche purists. Porsche replaced them with water-cooled engines for better performance, better reliability and to meet modern emissions standards.
• Base MSRP: This is the starting point for negotiations. A common term, but worth reiterating here; Porsche’s option tree is notoriously large and steeply-priced.
• Boxer Engine: An internal combustion engine with horizontally-opposed pistons, used most commonly by Porsche and Subaru. It helps to lower the car’s center of gravity. Production is usually more expensive than a V-shaped engine, however, which is why it is used less commonly.
• Carrera: “Race” in Spanish. Porsche initially used the term to celebrate class wins in Mexico’s Carrera Panamericana in the 1950s. Porsche has used the term over the decades to designate racing-oriented models, or to make base models sound more racing-oriented.
• PDK: Short for Porsche Doppelkupplunggetriebe, or “Porsche dual clutch gearbox.” Known for its exceptionally quick shifts, it is the only transmission choice on top-tier 911s, as well as on all Panameras.
• RS: Stands for “rennsport,” which means “racing” in German.
• Targa: A retro body style that is part coupe, part convertible. The top roof panel retracts, but a distinctive roll bar remains in place. Porsche started offering it in the 1960s when it was feared the U.S. might outlaw convertibles for safety reasons.
• Tiptronic: An automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode.
• Turbo: The term “Turbo” originally designated a turbocharged engine. Now that almost every Porsche is turbocharged, “turbo” means a powerful, high-performance version of a particular model.

Every Current Porsche Model

Porsche Cars:

718 Cayman

Tyler Duffy

The 718 Cayman is Porsche’s entry-level sports car. It’s a two-door, two-seater, rear mid-engined coupe. With its exquisite balance and handling, the 718 Cayman is recognized as one of the gold-standard driver’s cars on the market. Porsche debuted the current fourth generation in 2016 with a controversial shift from flat-six to flat-four engines (though Porsche re-added some flat-six versions). Most 718 models can be fitted with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK.

Porsche recently introduced the Style Edition with new paint colors and contrasting details as well as interior upgrades.

Body Style:

• Coupe

Models:

• 718 Cayman
• 718 Cayman Style Edition
• 718 Cayman S
• 718 Cayman GTS 4.0

Engines:

• Turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer-four
• Turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four
• 4.0-liter boxer-six

Base MSRP: $68,300

718 Boxster

Will Sabel Courtney

The 718 Boxster, a portmanteau of boxer and roadster, predates the hardtop Cayman by a generation. It debuted as Porsche’s more affordable car for the 1997 model year, and helped save the company. The current generation is a mechanical sibling of the 718 Cayman, identical but for the soft top and the price increase. The 718 Boxster tracks the Cayman trim levels through the GTS 4.0. The 718 Boxster offers a new Style Edition like the 718 Cayman.

Body Style:

• Convertible

Models:

• 718 Boxster
• 718 Boxster Style Edition
• 718 Boxster S
• 718 Boxster GTS 4.0

Engines:

• Turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer-four
• Turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four
• 4.0-liter boxer-six

Base MSRP: $70,400

911

Will Sabel Courtney

The 911 is Porsche’s legendary two-door, two-plus-two-seat, rear-engined sports car. The eighth-generation 992 debuted for the 2019 model year. The base model 911 uses a 379 hp engine and comes in Carrera hardtop, Carrera Cabriolet and Targa body styles. “S” versions upgrade to 443 hp and offer a seven-speed manual transmission. “4” versions have all-wheel-drive instead of rear-wheel-drive.

“Turbo” versions shoot for all-out supercar performance with the Turbo S packing 640 hp and accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. The GT3 is more of a 911 purist’s model, with a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter boxer-six and a manual transmission. 911 GTS models provide a middle ground on price point and performance between the base and top-end models.

Porsche added a GT3 RS model that pairs the naturally aspirated motor with “motorsport-derived aerodynamics.” The most expensive model is the new 911 Sport Classic, which is basically a 911 Turbo with a manual transmission. Porsche also added a new off-roading 911, the 911 Dakar.

Body Styles:

• Coupe
• Convertible
• Targa

Models:

• Carrera / Carrera S / Carrera 4 /Carrera 4S / Carrera T
• Carrera Cabriolet S / Carrera Cabriolet 4 / Carrera Cabriolet 4S
• Carrera GTS / Carrera 4 GTS / Carrera GTS Cabriolet / Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet
• Targa 4 / Targa 4S / Targa 4 GTS
• GT3 / GT3 w/Touring Package
• GT3 RS
• Turbo / Turbo S
• Turbo Cabriolet / Turbo S Cabriolet
• S/T
• Dakar

Engines:

• Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter boxer-six
• Twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter boxer-six
• 4.0-liter boxer-six

Base MSRP: $114,400

Taycan

Will Sabel Courtney

The Taycan, pronounced “tie-con,” is Porsche’s first production electric car. It debuted for the 2020 model year. It runs on Porsche’s high-performance J1 EV platform, which it shares with the Audi E-Tron GT. It comes as both a sedan or Sport/Cross Turismo wagon. The base “Taycan” is a single-motor RWD vehicle. All other Taycans have front and rear motors and all-wheel drive. New Taycan GTS models slot between the base models and high-performance Turbo models.

The Taycan earned low numbers in EPA range testing, hovering around 200 miles. However, real-world testing performance places the Porsche far closer to the Tesla Model S than the EPA numbers would suggest.

Body Styles:

• Sedan
• Wagon

Models:

• Taycan / Taycan 4S
• Taycan 4 Cross Turismo / Taycan 4S Cross Turismo
• Taycan GTS
• Taycan GTS Sport Turismo
• Taycan Turbo / Taycan Turbo S
• Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo / Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo S

Engines:

• Single-motor RWD
• Dual-motor AWD

Base MSRP: $90,900

Panamera

Porsche

The Panamera is Porsche’s front-engined, four-door car. Call it a cross between a sports car and a sports sedan. Porsche just unveiled the third-generation Panamera for the 2024 model year.

The lineup will be far less complex than the outgoing Panamera to start. Buyers can select between rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the base Panamera with a 2.9-liter V6. The Turbo E-Hybird will pack a 4.0-liter V8 hybrid that pumps out 670 horsepower and rockets the Panamera from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds.

Body Styles:

• Sedan

Models:

• Panamera
• Panamera 4
• Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid

Engines:

• Twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6
• Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 hybrid

Base MSRP: $99,900

Porsche SUVs / Crossovers:

Macan

Will Sabel Courtney

The Macan is Porsche’s entry-level compact crossover. It debuted for the 2014 model year, and it remains Porsche’s best-selling model; in 2019, Porsche sold more Macans in the U.S. than the 911, 718, Panamera and Taycan combined. All Macans feature all-wheel drive and a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission.

Porsche refreshed the Macan for 2022 with new and more powerful versions of the Macan, Macan S and Macan GTS trims. Porsche also added a stripped-down, lightweight Macan T model f0r 2023. Porsche’s next-generation Macan will be an electric car, though the combustion model should stick around for a bit.

Body Style:

• SUV

Models:

• Macan
• Macan T
• Macan S
• Macan GTS

Engines:

• Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four
• Turbocharged 2.9-liter V6
• Twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6

Base MSRP: $60,900

Cayenne

Will Sabel Courtney

The Cayenne is Porsche’s midsize luxury SUV. The third-generation model debuted in the U.S. for the 2019 model year. Each trim is available as a Cayenne Coupe variant with a rakish roofline. The new halo Cayenne Turbo GT isn’t labeled as a coupe because it only comes as a coupe. Prices range from the $79,200 base model to the $196,300 Cayenne Turbo GT.

Porsche gave the Cayenne a substantial facelift for 2024. Upgrades include a new digital cockpit and more power to every engine variant, with the Cayenne S getting a V8, a new exterior and an upgraded chassis and suspension setup. A Cayenne EV is expected to arrive in 2026.

Body Styles:

• SUV
• SUV Coupe

Models:

• Cayenne / Cayenne Coupe
• Cayenne E-Hybrid / Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe
• Cayenne S / Cayenne S Coupe
• Cayenne S E-Hybrid / Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe
• Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid / Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe
• Cayenne Turbo GT

Engines:

• Turbocharged 3.0-liter V6
• Turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 plug-in hybrid
• Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8
• Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 plug-in hybrid

Base MSRP: $79,200

The 911 may be the icon and the Taycan the hot new thing, but when it comes to Porsche’s most successful model, only one vehicle can wear the crown — and that’s the Macan. Ever since it was introduced in 2014, the crossover has been Porsche’s best-selling ride, due to both the fact that it’s the carmaker’s most affordable model and, well, the fact that everyone wants compact crossovers these days.

That prominence means Porsche has big plans for the Macan: in the next year or so, the carmaker will reveal the next-generation version, which will be powered solely by electricity and help lead Porsche into its inevitable all-electric-except-for-those-cars-powered-by-synthetic-gasoline future. But that doesn’t mean the folks from Zuffenhausen are giving up on ICE power just yet — whether for cars in general or the Macan specifically. For the 2022 model year, Porsche’s most popular model is receiving a refresh that ups the game once again.

The 2022 Porsche Macan packs more power

Porsche

The big news for the refreshed Macan comes under the hood, where all three variants available for the 2022 model year boast added power. The base model’s 2.0-liter turbo four is up 13 horsepower and 22 pound-feet of torque to 261 hp and 295 lb-ft; that’s enough to let it launch control sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 5.8 seconds and run on to a top speed of 144 mph.

The Macan S still has a V6, but instead of the old 3.0-liter version with a single turbocharger, it now boasts a version of the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 found in the Macan GTS (and several other Porsche models). Here, it whips up 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, enough to make the SUV romp from 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds and keep going all the way to 160 mph.

The Macan Turbo is taking 2022 off, so for now, the top banana in the Macan family is the GTS. Still, you won’t miss it, because the new Macan GTS makes the same power as the old Macan Turbo: 404 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque, via that twin-turbo V6. 0-60 mph goes by in a claimed 4.1 seconds, while top speed sits at 169 mph.

The Macan will still handle like a Porsche, of course

Porsche

While the Macan’s architecture may still be based on the same platform as the first-gen Audi Q5, which pushes the engine out further towards the front axle than you might expect from a Porsche, this compact crossover has long distinguished itself from the pack by delivering the sort of nimble handling you’d expect from a car that originates from Zuffenhausen.

For 2022, Porsche builds on that by packing on more standard handling features. Porsche Active Suspension Management comes standard on the Macan S, while the Macan GTS’s adaptive air suspension lets it ride almost half an inch lower than that; it’s also 15 percent stiffer than before, but also packs recalibrated dampers to keep the ride from getting too harsh.

If that’s not enough, there’s a new Macan GTS Sport Package

Porsche

Of course, while many people buy Macans just because they like the badge on the front, there are some who choose it because they really do want maximum fun from their compact crossover – and for those folks, there’s the new Macan GTS Sport Package. It bundles together the Sport Chrono Package (which you need for launch control), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, 18-way adaptive sport seats, Sport Design mirrors with caps painted in high-gloss black, front and rear fascia and side skirts in satin black — and, of course, 21-inch GT Design wheels clad in high-performance tires.

Whether you opt for that or not, however, every 2022 Macan receives a mild exterior facelift to help separate it from those that came before. Up front, there’s new body color trim and integrated cooling intakes; on the sides, the “side blades” are more textured and three-dimensional than before; and out back, the diffuser has been tugged upwards to refine the look.

The 2022 Macan’s interior is evolutionary, not revolutionary

Porsche

Anyone who’s been in a Macan will find the interior of the 2022 model pretty familiar, but there are a few changes of note. The center console, in particular, has been redesigned to bring it more in line with the Cayenne and Panamera, complete with a new shorter shift lever for the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. There’s a new GT Sport steering wheel snagged from the 911, too.

The 2022 Macan models will land in U.S. dealerships early next year, so you have plenty of time to decide how you’d like to spec yours at Porsche’s car configurator. The base model will start at $56,250; the Macan S will kick off at $66,750; and the Macan GTS will be priced starting at $81,250.

Considering Porsche only offers six model lines — 911, 718, Cayenne, Macan, Panamera and Taycan — it’s rather impressive how many variants the company manages to crank out. Every year, it seems, sees a few new Porsches roll onto the scene, be it all-new models, mid-life facelifts or just new trims designed to delight enthusiasts.

And it seems that even the massive coronavirus-related disruptions of 2020 aren’t putting too much of a hiccup in the carmaker’s plans. By digging around in Porsche’s model year 2021 VIN decoder, one of the users over at the Taycan EV Forum discovered evidence of six new 2021 models that you can’t currently find in the carmaker’s showrooms.

The most interesting of the discovered models for enthusiasts, no doubt, is the 992-generation 911 GT3 and GT3 Touring (i.e. the one without the big wing in back). We’ve been waiting with breathless anticipation to see the new GT3 ever since Porsche slipped an apparently glimpse of it into their Super Bowl ad last February; while the exact details remain to be revealed, we fully expect it to carry on with the 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat six and choice of dual-clutch or six-speed manual transmissions, and deliver at least 500 horsepower of shrieking fun.

Nearly as exciting, however, are the quartet of Taycan Cross Turismo variants set to drop in model year 2021. The Cross Turismo is expected to be, in effect, the production version of the Mission E Cross Turismo concept seen above: a station wagon version of the Taycan with a slightly lifted suspension and perhaps a dash of body cladding. The VIN decoder reveals it’ll arrive in four models, analogous to the quartet of trims the regular Taycan comes in: Cross Turismo Turbo S, Cross Turismo Turbo, Cross Turismo 4S and base Cross Turismo (which, like the base Taycan, may not come to America, at least not immediately).

Boxster fans will also be scoring a new addition to their favorite lineup, according to the VIN list: the 718 Boxster 25 Year Edition, which, presumably, will be a tribute to the Boxster’s quarter-century of existence. The secrets of the VIN reveal that, like the 718 Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0, it’ll use a 394-hp four-liter flat six, which is sure to make it even more alluring to those of us who normally don’t care about commemorative editions.

Of course, keep in mind these are just the 2021 model year cars in Porsche’s VIN decoder. The calendar year 2021 will no doubt include the reveal of plenty of 2022 model year Porsches, which will surely bring even more delight to our lives. Fingers crossed for that 911 Turbo S Targa…

Porsche builds some of the world’s finest all-around vehicles. Some of the most expensive, too. The German automaker recently announced price hikes to improve profit margins. And as always with Porsche, the MSRP is only the starting point for negotiations. Features you presume your $197,200 911 Turbo would include, it turns out, are pricey add-ons.

That story continues in the used car market. The 911 basically doesn’t depreciate. Fervent interest in the model has spilled over into less desirable used alternatives like the 944. And the recent explosion in used car prices has only exacerbated that trend.

If you’re a mere financial mortal who loves Porsches, it can feel like you will never, ever get a chance to own one. But there are a few options to score a Porsche for a (at least relatively) affordable price.

Want an affordable brand-new Porsche? Try a Macan

Porsche

The Macan SUV is the entry-level Porsche. Its current starting MSRP of $60,900 is more than it once was. But it’s a steal compared to the 911, which starts at nearly twice the price. And it’s the only Porsche you can buy with an option besides floor mats for less than $70,000.

There’s also value throughout the Macan lineup. The range-topping Macan GTS starts at $86,800. And that model gives you 434 horsepower and a 4.3-second 0-60 mph time at a price point that’s still below many base Porsche models.

Read our review of the Porsche Macan here.

Want an affordable used daily driver? Try a Cayenne

Porsche

Porsche Cayennes aren’t cheap when new. The base model starts at nearly $80,000. And better-equipped models will likely cost you more than $100,000. But unlike the brand’s sports cars, the Cayenne is not a collector’s item — it depreciates like other luxury SUVs. Porsche also sells far more Cayennes than 911s, so a fair number of them will be kicking around in the used market driving down the price.

With some hunting, you should be able to find a late second-generation Cayenne (2015-18) with reasonably low mileage for less than $30,000.

Really want a 911? Consider the 996 Generation

Porsche

Enthusiasts covert almost every generation of Porsche 911. The exception is the 996 model built from 1997 to 2004. The 996 switched from beloved air-cooled engines to modern water-cooled ones. It featured aesthetically unpleasant “fried egg” headlights. And an IMS bearing flaw set many of those cars up for premature catastrophic engine failure.

However, many of those cars that are still kicking have had their IMS bearings fixed. And while values have gone up for the 911 GT3 and other rare models from that era, you can still lock down a less-sought-after trim for less than $50,000.

Want the best overall deal on a Porsche? Try the first-gen Boxster

Porsche

If you just want an ultra-cheap Porsche with limited funding, your best bet is the first-generation Boxster (1996-04). Those cars had the same fried-egg headlights as the 911, the same issue with the IMS bearing and far less power. And being less expensive, it’s likely they weren’t treated as delicately as a 911.

But the important part is that to non-enthusiasts, an aging Boxster will still look like “a Porsche.” It will take some searching, but you should be able to find a first-gen Boxster with some life left for less than $15,000.

Think of the most iconic camping brands that dominate the campsite. Patagonia. The North Face. Coleman. Porsche?

Don’t look now, but the maker of the world’s most iconic sports car has recently begun making waves on the campsite. The buzz began back in 2022 when the brand launched a rooftop tent.

The luxe two-person tent encased in a hard case was definitely unexpected, but since it only worked in conjunction with a handful of Porsche’s larger models, it remained more of a niche curiosity than a sign of a larger strategy.

But now, the brand is making a much bigger inroads into camping with its new canopy tent. And this time, you don’t need to own a Porsche to use it.

Porsche

Porsche Pavilion Tent

• $1,680 at Porsche

Porsche Performance in the Great Outdoors

Porsche’s new tent is called the Pavilion, and it’s massive enough to live up to its epic name. The tent — which is more outdoor camping shelter than traditional tent — boasts a floorspace of 2.3 x 2.3m. That’s 5.29 square meters, or about 17 square feet when using the good ol’ president’s math.

Porsche hasn’t disclosed the height of the tent once set up, but judging from the images, it appears to at least be as tall as it is wide, making it somewhere in the neighborhood of 7.5 feet tall. It’s easily tall enough for an adult male, or even an NBA center, to stand comfortably inside.

Porsche

When packed, the tent measures just 31.5 x 16.5 x 15.4 inches and weighs 26.5 lbs. According to Porsche, the inflatable shelter sets up in minutes anywhere with the help of the included hand pump and convenient central valve and clamping system. And while it is free-standing, the shelter is equipped with storm-resistant fastening tie-downs for added stability in the elements.

The size and convenience alone make the Pavilion appealing, but the shelter’s true standout feature is its modularity. Porsche sells a number of accessories for the canopy tent, all of which conveniently zip onto the main frame.

Porsche

These include an add-on tent that can be used as a private bedroom, a more rugged and water-resistant groundsheet, additional side walls with various window setups, and a weatherproof vehicle tunnel that connects to the back of your car (this one is dependent on owning a specific Porsche model). You can even connect two Pavilions together if you feel like setting up your own makeshift mansion in the great outdoors.

Cayenne Camping

The Pavilion is certainly the most tempting and impressive piece of camping equipment Porsche has offered to date, but it’s far from the first.

In addition to the aforementioned rooftop tent — which Porsche unsurprisingly encourages buyers to use in conjunction with the Pavilion — the brand offers a number of outdoor-focused accessories through its lifestyle brand, Porsche Design.

Porsche

These include the PDS20 Outdoor Speaker and the waterproof Active 2.0 rolltop backpack. I don’t think Porsche is going to take down Snow Peak as the top purveyor of luxury camping goods any time soon, but the German brand is starting to put together a pretty compelling catalog.

The Pavilion is available to order from Porsche dealers and starts at $1,680 for the tent alone without any add-ons.

Porsche

Porsche Pavilion Tent

Specs

Width	2.3m
Length	2.3m
Weight	26.5 lbs.

• $1,680 at Porsche

Believe it or not, it’s been more than seven years since the second-generation Porsche Panamera first debuted — and in Porsche land, that means it’s time for a new version to break onto the scene. Granted, the folks in Zuffenhausen’s usual product update cadence has been thrown off a bit by the forceful arrival of electric vehicles en masse — see, for example, how the brand plans to keep building the current 718 Boxster / Cayman alongside its electric replacement — but German product planners like to stick by their plans.

So before the facelifted 911 and its hybrid variant roll onto the scene in a year or two, Porsche will be busy bringing a new Panamera to the streets. Here’s what we know about the next-gen sport sedan so far.

Porsche

The 2025 Porsche Panamera won’t actually be all-new

As is tradition across the motoring world, while the automaker will no doubt tout the next Panamera as an “all new” model, it won’t actually be completely fresh from soup to nuts. Instead, it’s more of a heavy revamp on the current chassis — think more along the lines of the 996-generation 911 spinning into the 997 rather than the clean-sheet design of the 991. Still, as anyone who’s driven those earlier Porsche models can tell you, even that level of change can make a huge difference in how a car looks, feels and drives.

Porsche

The next Panamera should look fairly familiar

Porsche has released a bevy of images of disguised prototype Panameras undergoing testing, and from what we can tell — and the camo ain’t that hardcore, so we can tell a fair amount — the 2025 Panamera will look fairly similar to the existing car.

Porsche

As is typical of a Porsche, much of the identity of the car will be wrapped up in its headlights. Don’t let the graphics fool you: the new lights appear sharper and more svelte than the current model’s setup, with the practically obligatory quad-LED layout either standard or an option. The front bumper seems to sit slightly higher — possibly due to pedestrian crash test requirements — while out back, the tail lamps and hatch appear more three-dimensional, aping the look of the Taycan and recent Porsche concept cars. The hatchback, thankfully, appears to be sticking around.

The 2025 Panamera’s interior will feature lots of screens, and maybe even TikTok

Porsche

Porsche

Ahead of the official reveal, Porsche has dropped a couple image of the new Panamera’s interior, and much of it bears a resemblance to the inside of the latest Cayenne. There’s a 12.6-inch all-digital instrument panel — so long, analog tach — but the screen does at least default to a similar layout to Porsches past, with a simulacrum of a round tachometer gauge in the center. The 12.3-in primary infotainment screen occupies the center of the dash, while a (presumably optional) 10.9-in secondary infotainment system can be found on the passenger’s side — a screen that, according to Autocar, will let the shotgun rider watch YouTube or TikTok.

The gear selector moves to just behind the steering wheel, freeing up space on the center console for cubbyholes and more easily accessible climate and stereo controls. (Blessedly, the inaccessible volume control drum of Panamera past has been banished in favor of an easily found wheel.) Speaking of that center console, astute readers will notice how it rises to meet the dash higher than in most cars, creating a more cockpit-like feel for the driver.

The new Panamera will not be electric

Will Sabel Courtney

If you’ve been ogling the Taycan but wish it had enough room to actually fit four full-grown adults in comfort, well, afraid we have bad news: the new Panamera doesn’t seem to be about to go all-EV just yet. That won’t come until 2027, according to CAR — at which point this new internal-combustion model will be sold alongside the EV for several more years.

If you need proper seating for four and insist on your Porsche being powered by electrons, your local dealership will soon be very happy to point you to the forthcoming Macan EV.

The 2025 Porsche Panamera lineup will, however, largely consist of plug-in hybrid models

If you take a peek at the lineup of the new Cayenne, you may notice something interesting: a majority of its vehicles are plug-in hybrid models. The base Cayenne and the Cayenne S stick with internal combustion power alone, but the rest of the line (apart from the beloved but soon-to-depart Cayenne Turbo GT) makes its motivation through a combination of gasoline and electricity.

The 2025 Panamera is on track to follow in the SUV’s footsteps. According to Porsche the new model will boast four E-Hybrid trim levels, up from a trio now. “The new derivative is a high-performance model that fits perfectly into the versatile line-up,” Panamera product line boss Dr. Thomas Friemuth said.

Porsche

Like the PHEV Cayennes, the plug-in hybrid Panamera models will boast a 25.9-kWh battery pack — a significant boost over the 14.1 kWh pack of second-gen E-Hybrid cars. Porsche claims this will enable an electric-only range that’s up to 70 percent better than current Panamera PHEVs, which could mean more than 50 miles on electrons alone. (Figure closer to 25–40 in the real world, though.) An on-board 11-kW charger should help guzzle electrons back up quickly when parked, although if current Porsche E-Hybrid models are any guide, it’ll be even quicker to snap the car into Sport mode and let the gas engine recharge the battery on the go.

The 2025 Panamera should be more powerful — and plenty quick

Seeing as how the Panamera and Cayenne have generally shared powerplants, odds seem good we can get a good sense of the new sedan’s performance based on the listings for the 2024 Cayenne models. Just replace “Cayenne” with “Panamera” and knock a couple tenths of a second off the 0-60 mph estimates, and you’ll probably be in the ballpark:

• Cayenne: Turbocharged V6, 348 hp, 5.7 second 0-60
• Cayenne E-Hybrid: Turbocharged V6 + electric motor, 463 hp, 4.6 second 0-60
• Cayenne S: Turbocharged V8, 468 hp, 4.7 second 0-60
• Cayenne S E-Hybrid: Turbocharged V6 + electric motor, 512 hp, 4.4 second 0-60
• Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid: Turbocharged V8 + electric motor, 729 hp, 3.5 second 0-60

Astute readers may notice that’s only three E-Hybrid PHEVs, not the four Dr. Friemuth said. What will the extra one be? Well, given the gap between the S E-Hybrid and Turbo E-Hybrid outputs, we’re betting we’ll see a Panamera GTS E-Hybrid making around 600–630 horses before too long…

Will there be a new Panamera Sport Turismo?

Porsche

As the Magic 8 Ball says, outlook not so good. While the sleek wagon version of the current Panamera is an object of lust for many a car lover, not enough actual customers have apparently bought them to make it worth building a next-gen version, according to CAR. The extended-wheelbase Panamera will, however, reportedly stick around … but that’s far less exciting.

The new Porsche Panamera will debut on November 24

Porsche

This one we know for sure: Porsche admitted as much in a press release issued back in September. The release said the car would show up at the “Icons of Porsche Festival” in Dubai on November 24th. Sadly, we don’t expect the brand to offer any Black Friday deals on outgoing Panameras to celebrate.

2023 was a momentous year in the automotive world. We finally saw the all-new Toyota Tacoma — and also drove it. We climbed behind the wheel of some seriously impressive off-road trucks. And we also sampled some surprisingly impressive off-road crossovers, like the Honda Pilot Trailsport and the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. And 2024 has the potential to be even greater.

We’ll see a proliferation of electric trucks, family-friendly three-row electric SUVs and even an electric muscle car. On the combustion side, Toyota and Lexus have three new body-on-frame off-roaders en route — two of them hybrid. It should be quite the eventful year.

Here are the 20 new cars we can’t wait to drive in 2024.

Lexus GX 550

Lexus

Our days of coming up with synonyms for “venerable” and “old-school” to describe the Lexus GX are over. The luxury off-roader is all-new for 2024 moving to the TNGA-F platform and packing a punchy new turbo V6 with a mammoth 479 lb-ft of torque.

READ ABOUT THE NEW LEXUS GX

Kia EV9

Kia

Kia’s next EV will be a family-friendly three-row model, the EV9. It will launch with just over 300 miles of range and a starting price under $60,000. Picture the Kia Telluride but an EV.

READ ABOUT THE NEW KIA EV9

Honda Prologue

Honda

Honda is finally getting its first mass-market EV into production in America. It’s called the Prologue. It’s a two-row midsize SUV. It looks like a big Civic, but it will be all General Motors Ultium platform underneath.

READ ABOUT THE NEW HONDA PROLOGUE

Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota

The outgoing Land Cruiser is fantastic, but it’s too big, too thirsty and too expensive for the modern era. Fortunately, Toyota plans to bring back the iconic nameplate next year with a smaller vehicle packing a torque-laden hybrid engine, ample off-road prowess and a starting price point mere mortals can afford.

READ ABOUT THE NEW TOYOTA LAND CRUISER

Volvo EX90

Volvo

Volvo is going all-electric by 2030. And a key vehicle will be their new three-row flagship SUV, the EX90. It will pack about 300 miles of range … or 671 lb-ft of torque, depending on how you spec it. And Volvo says it will be available “well-equipped” for under $78,000.

READ ABOUT THE NEW VOLVO EX90

Ford Ranger Raptor

Ford

The Ranger is all-new for 2024. And this time, Ford is bringing the Ranger Raptor to America. It’s getting the twin-turbo V6 from the Bronco Raptor with 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. And it will be bringing the capability with 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrains, Fox Live Valve shocks and locking front and rear differentials.

READ ABOUT THE NEW FORD RANGER RAPTOR

Toyota Tacoma Hybrid

NATHAN LEACH-PROFFER

We recently drove the all-new 2024 Tacoma. It’s a massive upgrade. But the version we’re waiting for is the hybrid version of the four-cylinder. It will pack 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. It should set a new benchmark for efficiency. And it will be the only engine option for the off-road-focused TRD Pro and Trailhunter trims.

READ ABOUT THE NEW TOYOTA TACOMA

Porsche Panamera

Porsche

Porsche unveiled the third-generation of its practical four-door sedan. It’s not going electric yet, but it will come with four hybrid variants. The one hybrid we know about — the Turbo E-Hybrid with 670 hp and 685 lb-ft of torque — will be an absolute missile.

READ ABOUT THE NEW PORSCHE PANAMERA

Polestar 3

Polestar

Polestar’s sporty midsize electric SUV is finally entering production in 2024. It’s going to bring the performance with up to 517 horsepower and 671 lb-ft of torque. But you’ll have to pay for it as it’s starting at nearly $84,000.

READ ABOUT THE NEW POLESTAR 3

Chevrolet Silverado EV

Chevrolet

Ford built the F-150 Lightning off the current F-15o platform. GM skipped that stage and went all-in with a new Silverado built on its Ultium EV platform. It borrowed its looks and MidGate from the Chevy Avalanche. And it will pack up to 754 horsepower and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

READ ABOUT THE NEW CHEVROLET SILVERADO EV

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s electric take on the Microbus, the ID. Buzz, is finally coming to America in 2024. We’re getting the pricier three-row passenger model with up to 330 horsepower with the dual-motor version. No word yet on American pricing or range.

READ ABOUT THE NEW VW ID. BUZZ

Aston Martin Vantage

Aston Martin

Aston Martin updated the DB11 with the new DB12. Next up is the new Vantage. It should be arriving early in 2024 with a roaring Mercedes V8 and more approachable looks. Reports say it will be a “complete hooligan.”

READ ABOUT THE NEW ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE

Porsche Macan EV

Porsche

The Macan is Porsche’s best-selling car, and it’s the first existing Porsche model that will make the jump to being an EV. It should offer dramatically more range than the existing Taycan, and with a rear-biased weight distribution and suspension tweaks, it may drive like even more of a Porsche than the current Macan.

READ ABOUT THE NEW PORSCHE MACAN EV

Jeep Recon EV

Stellantis

Jeep isn’t quite ready to give us an electric Wrangler yet; rumors suggest we may be waiting until 2027 for that. But until then, the boxy, Wrangler-inspired Recon EV — sporting Wrangler-esque traits from a convertible top to locking axles — should be the next best thing.

READ ABOUT THE NEW JEEP RECON

Ram 1500 REV

Stellantis

Ram will be the last of Detroit’s Big Three automakers to launch an electric pickup. But don’t expect the 1500 REV to be the least among them. It should offer up to 500 miles of range, tow up to 14,000 pounds and look not too different from a traditional Ram 1500.

READ ABOUT THE NEW RAM 1500 REV

Ram 1500 Ramcharger

Stellantis

The 1500 REV is not the only electrified truck Ram has in the work. The brand also announced the 1500 Ramcharger. It falls somewhere between a hybrid and an EV. Electric motors power the wheels. But the truck employs a 3.6-liter V6 to charge the battery. We’re not sure whether it will be the best of both worlds … or just annoy everyone. But we can’t wait to find out.

READ ABOUT THE NEW RAM 1500 RAMCHARGER

Mercedes-Benz EQG

Mercedes-Benz

The G-Wagen may be the planet’s most capable all-around production vehicle. It can do almost anything … except consume fuel efficiently. The new electric EQG should deliver similar off-road prowess to the combustion model with a far lower carbon footprint on the move.

READ ABOUT THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ EQG

Cadillac Escalade IQ

Cadillac

Cadillac is going all-electric by 2030. The Escalade IQ will be the brand’s first take on an EV version of the now-quarter-century-old nameplate. It will keep the family-friendly three-row format and offer the full capability of GM’s Ultium platform, packing 750 horsepower and up to 450 miles of range. Our only lament is that Cadillac didn’t take the -IQ suffix it uses for its EV nomenclature and call this SUV the Escaliq.

READ ABOUT THE NEW CADILLAC ESCALADE IQ

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai

Hyundai won a World Car of the Year award with the outstanding Ioniq 5 EV. Coming in 2024 is a blisteringly hot version, the Ioniq 5 N. It will pack more than 600 horsepower and some tricks up its sleeve to ramp up the driving engagement. We’re hoping for word on the range and price soon.

READ OUR HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 REVIEW

Dodge Charger SRT Daytona

Dodge

Dodge is embracing the BEV era in the most Dodge way possible: with a no-holds-barred electric muscle car. It will arrive with a manual shifter, a raucous-sounding (virtual) exhaust system and enough oomph to outperform the old supercharged-V8-powered Hellcat models in every metric … except petroleum consumption.

READ ABOUT DODGE KILLING OFF THE V8 CHARGER

More Future Cars We’re Excited About

Toyota

• 2025 Toyota 4Runner
• 2025 Toyota Electric Tacoma
• 2025 Porsche 718 EV
• 2026 Scout Motors Pickup/SUV
• 2027 Volkswagen ID. GTI
• 2028 Jeep Wrangler EV

Although most major car brands have embraced EVs with open arms, a few have remained skeptical. Toyota is probably the most steadfast in its resistance to electrification — the brand offers just one BEV in the U.S. — but Porsche isn’t far behind.

The Stuttgart marque does have its ever-expaning fully electric Taycan line, and Porsche recently began offering an electric version of its Macan SUV, but the brand’s legendary sports cars have thus far avoided full battery electrification as the brand has poured money into biofuels as an environmentally friendly alternative.

But Porsche’s strategy may finally be shifting, as the brand has now confirmed that it is eliminating the gas engine options for some of its popular sports cars.

Bye-bye gas-powered Boxster & Cayman

While the 911 will forever be Porsche’s flagship, the 718 has no shortage of fans of its own. More of the everyman Porsche sports car, the 718 is cheaper, smaller and not as extreme, yet with its rear-mid-engine/RWD layout, it’s every bit as fun to drive — perhaps even more so.

Porsche

But a big change is coming to the 718, and I don’t think Porsche fans are going to be happy about it. According to a new interview with Porsche production manager Albrecht Reimol in German publication Automobilwoche, as reported by Car & Driver, the gas-powered 718 is being discontinued in mid-2025.

That means both the Boxster convertible and Cayman coupe, which share the 718 platform, will cease to exist in just one year’s time. That is, honestly, pretty hard to believe.

After all, it’s not like the entry-level sports cars are unpopular. Just today, Porsche released its sales report for the first half of 2024, and the two models saw a combined growth of 8 percent. Compare that to deliveries of the electric Taycan, which fell 51 percent in the same frame, and you might start to question Porsche’s logic a bit.

Photo by Will Sabel Courtney for Gear Patrol

Porsche already has replacements lined up for the axed 718, and that will be an all-electric 718, which should arrive around the same time as the ICE cars’ discontinuation. It, too, will be available in either a coupe or convertible, presumably called the Cayman and Boxster.

Is the gas-powered 911 next on the chopping block?

With Porsche eliminating the gas engines from a very popular sports car that sells well, you may become worried that the 911, arguably the most legendary sports car ever made, could also soon become electrified.

But I wouldn’t worry too much about that.

Photo by Will Sabel Courtney for Gear Patrol

The 911 is an institution. It is Porsche’s best-selling non-SUV by far (the company sold about 2.5 times as many 911s as 718s last year, despite the price difference), and its success and is so directly tied to its flat-six engine powerplant that it’s hard to imagine Porsche just throwing away all the goodwill they’ve built up with the 911 over 60 years.

Plus, as previously mentioned, Porsche clearly sees potential in biofuels as a way to skirt future environmental laws and will likely hold out against electrification for as long as legally possible.

That said, it’s probable that we’ll see some kind of 911 EV somewhere down the road — that’s just the way the industry winds are blowing. The electric 718 will likely function as a sort of real-world testing ground for Porsche, where the brand can take customer feedback — both positive and negative — and use that to inform what a future electric 911 might look like.

Porsche

And, of course, earlier this year, Porsche debuted the first-ever hybrid 911, the 2025 911 Carrera GTS, and it packs some pretty impressive specs that even purists have a hard time arguing against.

I don’t think now is the time to start panicking about the death of the gas-powered 911 — that day is likely many years in the future. But one thing is for certain: Porsche will offer fewer gas-powered sports cars starting next year, and that number is probably not going to increase in the ensuing years.

Porsche’s iconic sports car — the reason Porsche became Porsche in the first place— is the 911. And while change has been part of its journey, it’s about to undergo what is arguably the biggest change in its nearly six-decade lineage. (Yes, perhaps even bigger than going water-cooled.)

The current 992-generation Porsche 911 is heading for a model refresh in calendar year 2024 or 2025. As part of that update, however, the icon is expected to begin using a hybrid powertrain. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume confirmed to CAR magazinein late 2022 that there will be a “very sporty hybridization to the 911,” and since then, more and more details rumors have begun to trickle out ahead of the gas/electric sports car’s almost-certainly-inevitable debut.

Here’s what we know about the upcoming hybrid Porsche 911 so far.

The hybrid Porsche 911 is expected to arrive in summer 2024

Will Sabel Courtney

According to a March 2024 report from Autocar, Porsche has confirmed that the hybrid 911 will debut this summer as part of the current model’s facelift, internally known as the 992.2.

That roughly tracks with what Porsche vice president Frank Moser told Motor Trend September 2023’s Rennsport Reunion 7, when Moser said that the hybrid 911 will arrive “in the middle of the decade” with the refreshed 992.2-gen 911.

The Porsche 911 won’t be a plug-in hybrid

Porsche

A late December report from Car and Driver by well-connected German auto journalist Georg Kacher — and subsequently confirmed by Autocar’s 2024 report — claims that the 992.2 hybrid will, perhaps surprisingly, not be a PHEV like most of the brand’s other gas/electric models.

The reports say the new hybrid 911 will pack a 2.0-liter kWh battery pack, a 400-volt architecture and an electric motor that can generate 80–90 horsepower, with the whole system developed in part by Rimac. The EV motor will reportedly propel the front wheels and be located in the front half of the car for better weight distribution and to help the 911 put the power down.

The report claims the hybrid system will use a version of the 911 Carrera / 911 Carrera S‘s twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six, with a maximum combined system output of around 475 horsepower and a similar amount of torque. While this engine will only be linked to the rear axle, the electric motor’s power means the new hybrid 911 will indeed be all-wheel-drive. A dual-clutch automatic will allegedly be the only gearbox.

What will the first hybrid 911 be named?

Porsche is remaining tight-lipped there, but fortunately, the brand is pretty religious when it comes to its nomenclature conventions. The presence of a hybrid powertrain and all-wheel-drive makes it seem likely that the car will be known as the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 E-Hybrid.

That said, that’s not guaranteed. “E-Hybrid” has generally been reserved for plug-in hybrids, which, as mentioned, this car isn’t expected to be. Plus, the presence of extra power — and a desire to zhuzh up the model’s name for the very first gas-electric 911 — means the automaker could reach for a loftier designation, such as S or GTS. We’re not betting men, but if we were, we’d probably put our cash on Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Hybrid.

What other hybrid Porsche 911s might be in the works?

Photo by Will Sabel Courtney

Not surprisingly, Porsche doesn’t appear to have plans to stop with a single gas-electric 911. Hybrids have become a foundational part of the brand’s Panamera and Cayenne portfolios, with multiple options available at different prices and power levels; there’s no reason to suspect the 911 would be any different.

According to Autocar, 911 Turbo hybrid and 911 Turbo S hybrid models have been debated, but whether those would accent or replace the gas-only Turbo / Turbo S models remains TBD. Autocar did mention that the system would be used in a future GT2 RS-like 911 making 800-plus horsepower, however.

Is there an electric Porsche 911 coming?

Will Sabel Courtney

Not for now. “The 911 will be, definitely, if at all, the last [Porsche] that will be electrified,” Porsche board member for development Michael Steiner told Motor Trend in September. Porsche has ruled out an electric 911 until at least 2030 in other discussions. And the brand left a 911-sized allowance in its lineup for combustion vehicles beyond that, only promising to be 80% electric by 2030.

Porsche also plans to ramp up synthetic e-fuel production, which could be the eventual way to keep a combustion 911 alive indefinitely.