The Porsche Cayenne GTS Manual Transmission is the SUV We Want to Come Back originally appeared on Autoblog.
The jack of all trades, the joy of enthusiasts
Automatic transmissions are pretty much the way of the world for every internal combustion automotive segment. There are very few manual transmission vehicles remaining, and that number won't grow because most buyers just don't want them or know how to drive them. There isn’t a single manual transmission performance SUV made today. Not the X5 M Competition, the Audi RS Q8, the Lamborghini Urus, and not even the Porsche Cayenne GTS. Now, if you want a manual transmission SUV, you have to get the off-road Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler.
Once upon a time, there was a Porsche Cayenne GTS that could be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. That's crazy, you say, but it's true. Even back then, it was a rare find. It was quick, capable, spacious, and luxurious. Most of all, the first-generation Cayenne GTS manual was a more athletic, driver-focused variant of the Cayenne S. Lauded by critics as more driver-centric than the straight-line Cayenne Turbo rocket sled, the GTS had lowered suspension, tighter steering, and aggressive styling that distinguished it from its lesser siblings. What set it apart the most was the presence of three pedals and a stick. There was nothing like it then, and nothing like it today. It’s the SUV we want to return, even if only as a limited production version.
A brief history of the Porsche Cayenne GTS
Porsche introduced the Cayenne in 2002 as a midsize sport-luxury SUV designed to open new markets for the brand and generate more revenue for its sports cars and racing endeavors. Porsche-philes were horrified and thought a “family SUV” from Stuttgart was an abomination, a veritable finger flipped at purists. It was downright laughable, and almost no one thought it was a good idea except soccer moms who wanted the Porsche badge. But the Porsche Cayenne silenced most, if not all, of the critics. Not only did it sell extremely well, but it also drove like a Porsche should. It was quick, engaging, and handled better than most sporty cars. Then, they gave it a manual transmission, once again telling purists that the Cayenne wasn't some compromised Porsche.
Under the hood was a 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 405 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. With the manual, the Cayenne could sprint from 0–60 mph in about 6.1 seconds—not blistering by today’s standards, but made thrilling by connecting man with machine.
The Cayenne GTS came with standard 21-inch light aluminum alloy wheels, low-profile tires, all-wheel drive, a 24mm lower ride height, bigger brakes, front intakes from the Cayenne Turbo, a sport-tuned exhaust system, and Porsche Active Suspension Management, making it tractable and capable in most driving conditions. The GTS also included the Sport Design Package with contoured side sills and wheel arch extensions to give it a more menacing stance.
The manual Cayenne GTS didn’t last long, and Porsche brought it to an end after the 2012 model year. The second-generation Cayenne GTS (2013–2017) dropped the manual option entirely and eventually replaced the V8 with a twin-turbocharged V6. While still impressively powerful, potent, the naturally aspirated character and the manual control of the original GTS were lost. With that, so was one of the most engaging SUVs Porsche ever built. Porsche.
Why the manual GTS deserves a comeback
Today, the Porsche Cayenne continues to be one of the best performance SUVs on the planet, even though the manual transmission GTS has been gone for over a decade. The Cayenne is available in six trims: Base, E-Hybrid, S, S E-Hybrid, GTS, and Turbo E-Hybrid. There are also seven trims of the Cayenne Coupe. They accelerate, steer, brake, and handle better than most of the competition, but they still lack the ultimate driver's tool, however, and that's the manual transmission. This physical connection to the driving experience would transform the Cayenne GTS. In a world where SUVs are mostly used as status symbols or rolling tech showcases, the original Cayenne GTS manual stood for something purer. It was the rare utility vehicle that demanded driver skill and rewarded those who gave a damn about driver engagement.
Would it be so hard for Porsche to pull off? Porsche still offers manual transmissions in the 911 and 718, and the automaker has even said that take rates on manual 911s are surprisingly strong. That proves that the appetite for driver involvement hasn’t disappeared—it’s just underrepresented in the SUV segment. Okay, so there would be a lower percentage of takers for a manual SUV, but we're guessing the buzz would be huge. That could be very good for Porsche when its electric Taycan has hit the skids.
Market value and collectibility
Values for manual Cayenne GTS models are higher than most performance SUVs of the same era, including the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GL. Purists love them, and their rarity makes them even more coveted. A well-kept example with under 100,000 miles can now fetch $25,000–$40,000. That's pretty impressive for a vehicle that's almost two decades old. Collectors see the 6-speed Cayenne GTS as the best kind of unicorn—a vehicle that flew under the radar for years and is now being appreciated for what it truly was: a truly special performance SUV in a world of slushboxes.
Final thoughts
The Porsche Cayenne GTS manual transmission SUV was a rare moment when performance, utility, and driving purity combined in a single model. Nothing like it exists today, and that's too bad. The industry has steered away from manual transmissions in nearly every segment, instead choosing to disconnect drivers by shoving in more tech, bigger touchscreens, and driver aids that sometimes distract more than help. In today’s world of CVTs and electrification, the Cayenne GTS manual's visceral connection has largely been lost. We’re just asking for one more dance with the SUV that proved driving fun doesn’t have to be sacrificed for practicality. Bring back the Cayenne GTS manual, Porsche. We're not asking for much.
The Porsche Cayenne GTS Manual Transmission is the SUV We Want to Come Back first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 28, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
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