Overview & Reviews

Porsche raised the public's collective eyebrow when it decided to enter the sport-utility vehicle business in 2003 with the bulbous Cayenne. However, despite the grumblings of purists, this midsize luxury SUV has proven itself worthy of the vaunted Porsche name over the course of two generations.

With a lineup that stretches into six-digit territory when new and engines that range from a hybrid V6 to a twin-turbo V8, the Porsche Cayenne isn't your typical midsize SUV. Nor is it the most practical or family-friendly. Indeed, the Cayenne's relatively small cargo area, high load floor and lack of a third-row seat option limit its real-world functionality.

But in terms of spirited driving, there are few better. Thanks to its all-wheel-drive system, razor-sharp steering and superb brakes, the Porsche Cayenne demonstrates surprising dexterity around corners. The current generation isn't quite as adept off-road as the original Cayenne, but it's also lighter and more nimble, a trade-off that most shoppers will likely appreciate. New or used, a Cayenne is one of the best luxury SUVs you can get.

Current Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne is a five-seat midsize luxury SUV with numerous trims that correspond to engine choice. The base Cayenne features a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 300 horsepower, along with all-wheel drive and a novel six-speed manual transmission. An eight-speed automatic is optional with the V6 and standard on everything else. Stepping up to the Cayenne S gets you a 4.8-liter V8 that gets the party started with 400 horses. The Cayenne Turbo rocks a turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 rated at 500 hp, while the Turbo S ups the ante to 550 hp. Should you care more about efficiency than performance, the Cayenne S Hybrid produces 380 hp but beats the base V6's fuel economy, while the Diesel's torque-rich 240-hp V6 uses even less fuel and still delivers authoritative thrust.

Inside, the Cayenne employs an enveloping, cockpit-style layout reminiscent of the Porsche Panamera, with ample standard features and as many options as your bank account can handle. The center console, adorned with upwards of 50 buttons, rises rakishly to meet the dashboard and its large touchscreen display. As with other Porsches, the Cayenne's interior boasts sumptuous materials and excellent build quality. The sculpted rear seats not only recline but slide fore and aft as well. Maximum cargo capacity, however, is more in line with compact crossovers at just 62.9 cubic feet.

In reviews, we've been astonished by the current Porsche Cayenne's athleticism. It can be hustled along a curving road with gusto, yet the ride manages to stay supple, even with the optional active dampers in their most aggressive setting. And although this Cayenne isn't meant for serious off-road use, it can still hold its own in light-duty applications. If we were making a list of the most capable vehicles across all driving scenarios, the Cayenne would be right there at the top.

Used Porsche Cayenne Models
The current, second-generation Porsche Cayenne was introduced for 2011. It may look smaller than the SUV it replaced, but this is actually an optical illusion created by the new model's lower nose and raked roof pillars. In reality, this Cayenne is fractionally longer, wider and taller. Pleasingly, though, it's about 400 pounds lighter thanks to the deletion of the dual-range transfer case (meant to permit serious off-roading) and the use of lighter-weight body panels. Besides this trip to Jenny Craig, the second-generation Cayenne benefits from sharper driving reflexes, invigorated engines and a new interior with better materials and more luxury features.

The current Cayenne has received a few notable updates during its run. The 550-hp Turbo S model didn't arrive until 2014, but from 2012-'13 a Power Kit was offered for the regular Turbo that increased output to 540 hp. Also, the Diesel and GTS models weren't introduced until 2013, and a Platinum Edition package (including special silver exterior accents and added luxury features) was unveiled for base and Diesel models in 2014.

The first-generation Porsche Cayenne was produced from 2003-'10 and came equipped with a heavy-duty all-wheel-drive system that included low-range gearing. At heart, though, the original Cayenne was all about on-road performance, just like the current model. It was considered one of the best-handling SUVs of its time -- not to mention one of the fastest in S, GTS and Turbo guises.

Inside, the driver sat high above traffic in comfortable bucket seats, facing a three-spoke steering wheel and a center-mounted tachometer that paid homage to Porsche's sports cars. The ignition was even mounted on the left side of the dash in classic Porsche style. Materials quality was generally very good throughout the cabin, but the advanced electronics controls weren't especially user-friendly. The original Cayenne wasn't the most spacious midsize SUV either, lacking the cargo and rear seat space of some similarly priced competitors.

Originally, there were only Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo styles. The S model's 4.5-liter V8 produced 340 hp, while the turbocharged version of the same engine pumped out 450 horses. A six-speed automatic transmission was standard. A 247-hp 3.2-liter V6 base model arrived in 2004, and its standard transmission became a six-speed manual for 2005 (the rest of the Cayenne line stuck with the auto). That year also saw the addition of a few options, such as a panoramic sunroof and a Turbo Power Kit that boosted output to 500 hp and upgraded the brakes. For 2006, the range-topping Cayenne Turbo S debuted, producing a monstrous 520 hp that whisked the Cayenne to 60 mph as quickly as a 911 Carrera of the same era.

The Cayenne was not produced for model year 2007, but the following year brought major changes. The styling was given a welcome face-lift, the suspension was revised for sharper handling and every engine gained more power. The base V6 now produced 290 hp, the Cayenne S's V8 385 hp and the Turbo an even 500 hp. The Turbo S was put on hiatus. The Cayenne GTS model also arrived for '08, featuring a 405-hp version of the S model's V8 along with a six-speed manual transmission, 21-inch wheels, an active air suspension and a lower ride height. The Turbo S made its return for 2009 packing 550 hp.

User Reviews:

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  Beautiful but a little let down - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By cayenne - April 24 - 6:06 am

  The cayenne is a rare find in a sea of similar SUVs. That being said, the fuel economy is horrible; especially for such a fun car to drive. On average it would run me approximately $60-$80 dollars per week if I drove the car daily. Im just consdering it my showpiece at this point because of the high cost of gas.

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  second time around - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
  By sonogun - April 24 - 6:03 am

  This 2006 replaced my 2004 turbo. Strangely, it is not as peppy in that the tranny does not adapt quickly enough for your spirited driving mood. This prompted me to put it on an all wheel Dino and it is putting out on the first pull but suffers from heat sink on the second and third pull. My 2004 lost the heating pipes and the Cardon shaft along the way to 100,000 miles where it loss the fuel pumps. During that span I did two brake jobs, replacing rotors both times. My 2006 six had 60,000 when I bought it and after 20.000, I have had zero repair cost.

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  Great Handling Ride - 2008 Porsche Cayenne
  By dj - April 23 - 3:23 am

  I got my Cayenne base tip with Nav, Bose, Auto Climate, Park Assist, among other options. The climate control is a bit inflexible, but one can learn to modify setting to allow it to be shut off for heating and AC, The park assist sensors for the front are too sensitive or erratic. The Bose speakers are great and a must-have since the standard system is awful. The overall ride is wonderful in handling and braking. We are getting 18-19 mpg for overall driving with about 40% highway. On a recent road trip between northern and southern California Driving 75-80 mph on the highway, we got 20.5mpg. Our car is white and the Cayenne plaque was black and looked cheap so we removed it.

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  Cayenne S - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Cayenne Guy - April 19 - 2:00 am

  A Porsche in power and performance with the added off-road ability and towing capability that is simply unmatched anywhere else. The build quality is fantastic, the look and feel is great, its fun to drive, is safe and practical, if also a little pricey. The ride quality is a little stiff, but not overly so, just stay away from the 20 inch tires with the short sidewalls.

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  I love this car for going on trips. - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By J-Unit - April 19 - 2:00 am

  You will love driving this car. It ay be expewnsive but its the best

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  Porsche has paint issues! - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
  By kb - April 9 - 12:43 pm

  I just purchased my first Porsche. I traded a beatiful Lexus GX470 that I wish I had back. Although the Porsche is fun to drive and I like the look, I have had several issues with the flat black paint. You can breathe on the paint and it scratches. It is only two months old and looks worse than most cars that are years old. The dealership has tried to put a band- aide on it and they keep cleaning it up really pretty. I am afraid to see what this car looks like in 6 months to a year. I cannot believe that a company like Porsche would offer such a poor quality paint! This should not even be an option!

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  Cayenne S - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By sandmed - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed the Cayenne S and can highly recommend it. I tried out BMW X5 4.6, Range Rover, Lexus GX/LX470, and Toureg V8. I have occasional towing requirements and carry 4 passengers routinely. The Cayenne has the best engine, transmission, and suspension of that group, and its interior design and luxury is on par, too. Several strangers have stopped me and raved about its good looks but its the driving experience that hooked me. Its a blast!

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  Road Warrior - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By Matt - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is a road warrior. I have over 100k miles on it and it still runs like it is brand new. It loves the open road, I once drove across Nevada non stop doing well over a 100 mph and felt comfortable, stable and safe. Will buy another one when this one wears out, could be a while.

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  Truly a Porsche! - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
  By Crazy4Carz - February 15 - 4:03 pm

  Amazing vehicle. As an owner of a 911 Cab and a 356 SC Sunroof Coupe, it only seemed appropriate to get a Cayenne as the household SUV. I strongly considered the Range Rover Sport as it is stunning, I just could not get past the truck like performance and handling. The Cayenne on the other hand is all Porsche. Nimble, quick and just plain fun to drive. Incredibly comfortable and aggressive looks with the titanium package. Love the features though the navigation and radio are not intuitive. Also, Porsche needs to package options as there are so many that it can be confusing. No excuse for not having mp3 aux jack as standard. Options are very robustly priced. Get one!

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  Cant beat the performance!!!! - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Mark Greenbaum - February 14 - 10:00 am

  An absolute BEAST !!! This car has so much juice to it.I look at it as a big race car. It handles with precision for a vehicle in its class. It blows away the BMW 4.8. Please drive this vehicle and see for yourself.