2016 Porsche Cayenne — Full Specifications
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The 2016 Porsche Cayenne is an SUV offered with 5 engines (3L 6-cyl supercharged, 3L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) / 24 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 20–29 mpg (UK) across all configurations. A plug-in hybrid version is also listed by EPA (3L 6-cyl supercharged), returning around 26 mpg (UK) combined. Owners often keep a Porsche Cayenne workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 Porsche Cayenne: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 29 mpg (UK) combined. EPA lists new engine options for 2016: 3.6L 6-cyl.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 3L 6-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 3L 6-cyl supercharged · 3L 6-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl turbo · 4.8L 8-cyl turbo |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 29 combined / 25 urban / 34 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 24 combined / 21 city / 28 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 270 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,000 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 5 configurations for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne across 5 engines (3L 6-cyl supercharged, 3L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo). Combined fuel economy ranges from 17 to 24 mpg (US), or 20 to 29 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl supercharged (Plug-in Hybrid) | Automatic (AM8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (21/24) | 162 | $3,750 |
| 3L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/28) | 270 | $4,000 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (17/24) | 270 | $4,100 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/24) | 286 | $4,350 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 17 (14/21) | 333 | $4,850 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne
Running Costs: 2016 Porsche Cayenne
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Porsche Cayenne at 29 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,254 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,000 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Porsche Cayenne Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Porsche Cayenne (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Exterior lighting (1), Service brakes (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Exterior lighting — campaign 22V656000, reported 30 August 2022. Risk: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- Service brakes — campaign 16V169000, reported 23 March 2016. Risk: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Porsche Cayenne. The most-reported areas are Unspecified (16), Air bags (11), Power train (7). Complaints include 2 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 20 complaints across the 16 Porsche Cayenne model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Lighting (1 recall campaign · 6 owner complaints) — Check every exterior light works and look for moisture inside the lamp housings.
- Air bags (11 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Brakes (1 recall campaign) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Transmission & drivetrain (7 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Porsche Cayenne compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 29 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 270 g/km CO₂ figure is 17 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Porsche models in our database average about 26 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 Porsche Cayenne's 29 mpg is 3 mpg above that make average. Its 270 g/km CO₂ figure is 16 g/km higher than the 254 g/km Porsche average.
Of the 17 Porsche Cayenne model years we cover, the 2016 is the most economical on its best configuration (29 mpg UK combined). See every Porsche Cayenne year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Porsche Cayenne have?
EPA lists 5 engines for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne: 3L 6-cyl supercharged, 3L 6-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl turbo, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 3L 6-cyl turbo with a automatic (s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Porsche Cayenne?
The most efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, or 24 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 20 to 29 mpg. The plug-in hybrid version returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined.
How much does the 2016 Porsche Cayenne cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,000 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Porsche Cayenne have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Porsche Cayenne (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Exterior lighting (1), Service brakes (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne?
Among the 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Unspecified (16 complaints), Air bags (11 complaints), Power train (7 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Porsche Cayenne's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.