The 2016 Porsche Cayenne Turbo gets 17 MPG combined, so it won’t win any awards for lower fuel costs, and most buyers aren’t especially concerned about that. It produces 520 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged V8 engine, enabling it to outperform many sports cars, and its fuel consumption shows this. The Cayenne Turbo is for drivers who want both strong performance and SUV practicality, and who are willing to pay more at the pump.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2016 Cayenne Turbo at 14 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. The city figure is arguably more telling because Cayenne Turbos rarely see continuous highway driving. They’re more often used in cities, going between offices, schools, and weekend destinations. Stop-and-go traffic and rapid acceleration, common in cities, increase fuel consumption. However, on the open road, the eight-speed automatic transmission and relaxed driving allow it to nearly reach, and sometimes beat, its EPA highway rating, assuming you limit use of its power.

Annual fuel cost

According to the EPA, the annual fuel cost for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is $3,400. This number is calculated using 15,000 miles of driving per year, with 55% of those miles in the city and 45% on the highway, using national average fuel prices. Premium fuel is required for best performance in the Cayenne Turbo, so this estimate is a good prediction of what owners will likely spend. Individual driving and local fuel prices can change this.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standard, but real-world fuel economy often varies. How you drive, short trips, and tire pressures all affect gas mileage. Many Cayenne Turbo owners report averaging about 15 MPG in combined driving, especially with heavy traffic. Those who mainly drive on highways might see about 20 MPG. Plan on the EPA numbers as optimistic and adjust based on your driving.

How it compares

The 2016 Cayenne Turbo’s fuel economy is predictably high compared to its competitors. The BMW X5 M, with its 567-horsepower twin-turbo V8, gets about 16 MPG combined. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, with 577 horsepower, also scores similarly at 15 MPG combined. Even the Range Rover Sport Supercharged, with 510 horsepower, barely exceeds 16 MPG. If fuel economy is a key concern, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid is a more efficient choice within the Cayenne lineup, despite its complexity. For CAYENNE MPG across all years, check FuelEconomyHub’s data.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The Cayenne Turbo isn’t very fuel-efficient, but there are ways to reduce consumption. Avoid using the engine’s full power all the time. Light acceleration and steady speed can improve fuel economy, especially in cities. The instantaneous MPG display can help you track your driving.

Proper tire inflation is important for safety and fuel economy. Check your tires often and keep the pressure at the level on the door. Underinflated tires add extra resistance, making the engine work harder. A tire pressure gauge is a worthwhile investment.

Avoid idling if possible. Modern engines don’t need long warm-up periods. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Small savings can add up because the Turbo has a large engine and consumes more gas.

Use the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system’s navigation, even on familiar routes because it can help you avoid traffic and find better routes, reducing stop-and-go driving. Less idling improves fuel economy.

Regular maintenance keeps your Cayenne Turbo running efficiently. This includes regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug checks. Neglecting maintenance can hurt performance and waste fuel. For all Porsche fuel economy data, FuelEconomyHub is your source.