Now that Porsche has officially unveiled the 2024 Macan EV, which ia just months away from its market release, the carmaker can continue focusing on completing the development of the 2026 Cayenne EV. For its fourth generation, the Cayenne has been confirmed to receive battery power and will borrow plenty of tech from its smaller brother.
The 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV is expected to make its debut in the final part of next year, as there’s still plenty of development work to cover—keep in mind that Porsche has recently revised the third iteration of the ICE Cayenne.
For instance, the electric Cayenne test mule seen here still uses Macan EV body panels. The Macan EV body on this Cayenne EV test car can easily be spotted thanks to the added width in the fender area, among others.
Electric Cayenne specs
Leaving behind the J1 platform of the Taycan, the 2026 Cayenne EV has been confirmed to ride on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture shared with Audi, which already serves the Macan EV.
According to the initial info delivered at the launch of the Macan EV, Porsche’s PPE architecture uses a Lithium-Nickel Manganese Cobalt battery with a net capacity of 95 kWh (100 kWh gross). As with the Taycan, there’s an 800V infrastructure, which reduces both charging times and weight. For the Cayenne EV, this would mean 800V DC charging at up to 270 kW. However, with 400V charging, the battery pack is divided into two parts, reducing charge times by taking current in parallel.
The model range is (initially) comprised of the 4 (402 hp, 479 lb-ft) and the Turbo (630 hp, 833 lb-ft), both using permanent-magnet synchronous motors at each axle.
The Taycan’s two-speed transmission is no longer present—using the single-gear (reduction) solution found on almost all EVs, the PPE saves weight and increases drivetrain efficiency.
However, as with the Taycan, there’s no one-pedal driving model, with most of the regenerative braking involving the brake pedal. Based on the driving mode, the platform can recover up to 240 kW under braking.
Later this year, the 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV will move into the next phase of development, with test vehicles dropping the modified Macan EV panels for the proper body. As with the Macan (+2.3 inches in length, with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase) expect the Cayenne EV to grow, but only a little. Remember, Porsche has confirmed it is developing a large electric SUV. Codenamed K1, with uses the VW Group’s SSP platform and is on track for a 2027 launch.
Interior
Unlike other electric SUVs (e.g., Tesla Model X), the interior of the 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV won’t offer a radical, minimalist approach.
As with the Macan EV (interior pictured above), the cabin of the Cayenne EV will feature a fully digital instrument cluster with a curved display, a wide central screen featuring the latest iteration of Porsche infotainment software, and an optional passenger display, plus a head-up display.
Even with all the touchscreens, there will be physical controls for the climate system, as well as a volume knob on the center console.
Expect the 2026 Cayenne EV to start at over $100,000
In the US, the ICE Cayenne currently kicks off at $95,535, while its range-topping Turbo E-Hybrid version has a price of $192,232 and that’s before the overly generous list of optional features. Based on how Porsche positioned the electric Macan 4 and Macan Turbo, the 2026 Cayenne EV will be noticeably more expensive than the ICE models.
However, based on the popularity of their segments, the Macan EV and Cayenne EV should face significantly less depreciation than the Taycan.
Porsche’s Leipzig plant in Germany is set to handle production of both the Macan EV and the K1 large SUV. As for the 2026 Cayenne EV, Porsche has confirmed this will be assembled at the Bratislava site in Slovakia.
2026 Cayenne EV exterior spyshot via Stephen Hancock (@the_carspy)