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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It Drives Like a Porsche - 2003 Porsche Cayenne
By Olivier - December 12 - 6:20 pmI bought my Cayenne used, one year old. Im quite amazed at how it holds the road for such a heavy car and the way it really handles like a Porsche. It is a very good compromise, as its first- class in every situation, perfect handling on twisty roads, very good off-road (providing the right type of tyres) and very practical. It is not a true sports car of course, but still a very good every day car.
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the best - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
By McMhan,jons - December 7 - 10:00 amit is a dream car get it
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couldnt last a year - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
By bearvine - December 7 - 10:00 amthis thing is fun to drive and has the power but my god what a terrible ride...i tried to gut it out and keep this truck but my back and my butt cant take it.i have never been so dissappointed with a vehicle.i had it in the shop 4 times..the radio has a mind of its own....good bye cayenne... hello escalade
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Porschesuv - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
By billyboy - December 4 - 12:00 pmLike the power and quality of build. Transmission takes getting used to but tiptronic great. Can cruise forever at 80+. So far so good.
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Not worth the money - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
By scott - November 18 - 6:00 amThe Cayenne is a very heavy sports car to put it kindly. Its not for the daily commute unless you enjoy being bounced around like a basketball. Gas mileage is 11mpg around town with premium. The suspension is so stiff my wifes afraid to drink her coffee on our commute. We have a 4runner that can easily hold its own with the Cayenne performance wise. My Tundra can easily keep up in a straight line. I know because I have "raced" my buddy while he drives the vehicles listed above. It currently has 17k miles and already has a tail light out. I also dont like the baby cupholders. For 70k get something with comfort and performance...its not the Cayenne.
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Hedonism on wheels - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
By DoktorT - October 27 - 6:56 pmI am a true porschephile, but the nose never realy worked for me and I actually prefer the looks of the Touerag. Then I drove it. End of story. I own a dozen porsche 911s, and a couple of turbos, and this is fast. It also handles suprisingly well. Its possible to get 21MPG on the highway if you can keep it under 70 and keep the cruise on. I did this for a short while after picking the car up in tampa and driving it 1000 miles home. I found that I could cruise at 75-80 with ocasional burts up to 100 and still keep avg MPG at 19.4. Well worth it for the fun factor. This car is loaded. It has taken me 2 days to learn the nav audio system but now it seems intuitive. A blast!
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Spectacular Cayenne - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
By PorscheChap - October 25 - 7:46 pmI really love my Cayenne - after driving this vehicle, all other SUVs should be banned from our roads. How dare people make other lame SUVs and try to seel it alongside the Cayenne. The Cayenne is in one word - fantabulous !!! Porsche has done a spectacular job. Thank you I have just achieved Nirvana with this machine!!
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What Fun - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
By Scott - October 12 - 10:36 pmI have had the 04 Cayenne S for two months and it has exceeded my expectations. The vehicle is a blast to drive and handles great. The fact that it can handle like a sports sedan and still be an SUV is amazing. I have had a couple of warranty repairs - a rattle and a drivetrain issue, nothing crazy for a car with 37,000 miles. Overall I am quite pleased.
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Turbo, the only way to go - 2003 Porsche Cayenne
By Jimmy Wu - October 6 - 10:00 amThe turbo model is a true Porsche vehicle.
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AWESOME!!! - 2008 Porsche Cayenne
By crowdedcloset - October 1 - 1:03 amRides like a dream, waited 10 years to purchase one and well worth the wait. Love the triptronic and black leather interior. You will not be disappointed with the incredible space this vehicle offers.
