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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  Drove Both, Bought Cayenne S - 2003 Porsche Cayenne
  By SRV - July 6 - 2:00 am

  My dealer gave me a head start on Friday the 14th, allowing me to drive the S and Turbo. Both cars were equipped with PASM and most of the options available. Turbo was awesome, but impractical for me. Both drove identically, excccept for acceleration. Both had very civilized interiors, terrific Bose audio, no wind noise. I bought the S, based on practicality.

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  Why cant they build a truck - 2003 Porsche Cayenne
  By Currieel - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the best adaptation of a sports car to a truck on the market ever. BMW came close but the folks at Porsche made it fit real world drive- abilty. You can ford bodies of water up to 22 inches deep and still hug a turn better than any of the leading sports sedans. At track speeds the only thing you can feel is the desire to step on the gas harder.

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  best one - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By tommie - June 29 - 6:40 pm

  This is the best SUV i have ever driven in my life! It is better then any toyota 4 runner

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  Awesome - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By alin - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely a blast to drive. Reminds me of my 2000 BMW M5. What a sensation hurtling down the road in a 6000# meteor. But, even more amazing, is turning this meteor without significant body roll and sphincter tightening that I get with my wifes jeep. I had a C-S that I traded in for the TT. This TT has had ZERO problems thus far.

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  Cayenne, wonderfulbut overly complicated - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By KW - June 2 - 10:00 am

  The more I drive the Cayenne, the better it gets. I now know why people love a Porche. Overely complicated from window wiper switch to electronic navigation. It is by far the most ridgid and stable SUV I have ever driven. If looking for a top end SUV, you will be happy

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  Prefer Cayenne to X5 or ML - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By Annette - May 23 - 1:40 pm

  Have owned this car for little over a month. Is a joy to drive. Fast and reliable - true Porsche driving in an SUV. Have owned both a BMW X5 and a Mercedes ML 320 - Cayenne is far superior to these other two. Gas mileage is comparable to the others. Interior is finished beautifully - I have the aluminum finish vs. wood. Modern and sleek. I purchased the 20 inch sport techno wheels which make the appearance more aggressive. Overall, a tremendous driving experience!

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  The Beast - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
  By Greg Lewis - May 19 - 7:10 am

  A great vehicle for those who really want "sport" in their SUV. Strong, powerful & fast, the Cayenne S combines good steering feedback with excellent (sometimes squeaky) brakes. At 5300 lbs having all these benefits is fairly amazing. The ride is stiff, but that is a trade-off for exceptional cornering. The tiptronic is the best auto-manual tranny I have used. I really enjoy making the gear changes myself. If you want the best acceleration out of this car, changing manually is a must. I have already added precat bypass pipes, giving 17hp over stock. I am also eyeing a computer remap and perhaps a free-flow intake for another 30-HP. Ive owned 1988 and 1999 Carreras. Cayenne is a true Porsche.

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  World Class SUV - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Moneyman - May 7 - 2:00 am

  The handling ability of a fine sports car and the off road capablities of a tank! Fun to drive and user friendly with lots of room. Porsche has hit the mark in every area of design. They have put the fun and performance into an everyday driver!

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  Love This Vehicle! - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By SMURNIN - May 3 - 9:53 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned in my life for the purpose that I use it for. It is an SUV and it still offers all of the features of Porsche!

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  Porche Cayenne-Great vehicle - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By Mike Bement - March 6 - 11:20 pm

  This is the perfect vehicle for me. I love the speed of a sports car. I love the head room and storage room of an SUV. The Turbo Cayenne does it all. It is absolutely beautiful. Mike Bement