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:

• 

  Amazing Improvement - 2011 Porsche Cayenne
  By Bif - October 22 - 10:00 am

  This is an excellent choice for those looking for a combination of sports car performance and carrying/towing capacity. The acceleration and steering responsiveness is amazing (am I really driving an SUV?). Plus, I can haul my family and pets where they need to go. Compared to the X5 or Range Rover, this Cayenne is a MUCH better value. The interior redesign and fuel economy improvement make the Cayenne a compelling choice

• 

  Most Practical Porsche - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By beemaze - October 12 - 2:00 am

  This is the tightest, smoothest, most comfortable, and easiest to drive SUV period. I have owned or driven the BMW X5, Mercedes ML series, Range Rover. They cannot compare. 450 HP and excellent torque at anytime. Some earlier models had the hesitation problem, but Porsche has fixed this with a software update.

• 

  1 bad suv - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By gee gee - October 1 - 10:00 am

  i tell you i own a lot of other vehicles and nothing even comes close to this one . you can take your family shoping and drag race a vette at the same time (not recomended). off road or on it is the most impressive vehicle you can buy . i test drove a range rover what a joke it drove like a $80,000 ford .theres nothing else like the turbo buy it you will love it.

• 

  Love It - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By pindians - October 1 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. I love the styling and the look of the car. It has had a few problems, however, the dealer is great and quick to fix the problems.

• 

  Amazing!! - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By Milo - September 11 - 9:03 pm

  I have driven my 2005 Pirsche Cayenne Turbo beyond what the average driver would and I can say that it performed flawlessly and always left me with a comfortable feeling. What a great vehicle. If you want to own a vehicle that drives like a Porsche, can out haul a 3/4 standard equipment Chevrolet, have a great sound system (its the best that Ive heard yet in any vehicle) second to none, and have power to spare, get one of these. You wont be sorry.

• 

  Only Porsche Youll Need - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Beach D - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Handles like a Porsche should, and can go off road as well (with winter wheels & tires). If my 911 wasnt a ragtop, Id sell it and just drive this one - its that good

• 

  My one year of ownership review - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By aorobert - August 31 - 11:36 pm

  LOOKS: Its a beauty. No it is not a VW. FEEL: I have never driven such a tight vehicle. I traded in a Mercedes ML430 for this and never looked back. GAS: Lousy gas mileage, more like 12/15. But for some reason when I get it above 80 my mileage improves to about 18. Too bad I cant stay at those speeds for very long.

• 

  Unhappy Camper - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By arturo tezanos - August 19 - 10:00 am

  From the very first day the alarm system failed. The car was serviced twice an still exhibiting the same malfuction. The latest,while drving to my office the engine compartment started to smoke,it has been three weeks for replacement parts to arrive.Im still without my car.

• 

  Fun to Drive...! - 2012 Porsche Cayenne
  By rgpitt - August 17 - 5:18 am

  After doing lot of reasearch finally got my new Cayenne S and this is the best car I have driven so far. If you like good ride go with Porsche. I recommend going V8 rather than V6. I test drove V6 but I was not happy for the price. Its better get ML 350 with V6. so far its been almost a month every one likes the car.

• 

  Senior Citizen Says - 2003 Porsche Cayenne
  By Miller - July 30 - 10:00 am

  We have had the car for 1500 miles. Everything about it is terrific except the transmission response in D3. It is a little flat when doing in city driving. If it is driven in Tiptronic, the transmission and the performance is awsome. The physical finishes in the car are first class.