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:

• 

  Rocket Sofa - 2011 Porsche Cayenne
  By GuyC - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Was agonizing over a new RR SC, 911 or an Vantage Roadster. This car seemed to have it all and the comfort and undated interior, the lighter weight, fuel economy swayed me. We have tried to buy a Cayenne twice in the past and both time have walked away disappointed, once buying the FX and once an RR, this time, the feel was Porsche-like and I am very happy we waited. A serious Rocket propelled lounge. Watch your speed though, you can get over 100 in almost pure silence :)

• 

  GREAT CAR - 2003 Porsche Cayenne
  By Mr. Cow - December 11 - 2:00 am

  The Cayenne Turbo is AWESOME!!!!! It is luxurious, and it can beet any car u see on the road. Its great for a family less than 5. And if u get one, the Cayenne S or normal Cayenne are just wastes. Get the Turbo!!!

• 

  Porsche cayenne 2004 - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By fried - December 11 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is a bullet, when it comes to take off at the stoplight. The handling is superb. Like a sports sedan. Please get the radar detector as an option! Of course with this performance comes gas consumption. The car behaves disappointing when it comes to regular normal "grocery shopping use". Downward shifting is worthless. Passenger’s complaints about whiplash are common. Functionality leaves allot to be desired. Finally, the car feels over engineered and several of the ordinary features do not function properly. (four visits to the dealer have not fixed the problems) For a vehicle of $ 65K, you better reevaluate your expectations!

• 

  Yippee Cayenne! - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By DArt - December 7 - 9:06 am

  Came out of an LX470 and was reborn again to my sports car roots but with utilitarian value. Drives better than most sports cars, but I can put the tennis ball machine, 2 buckets and equipment bag in back no problem! I can load the kids on weekends now when the wife has something else to do. Have had it in deep water up to lights and gone over the side of freeway to get out of a jam.

• 

  awesome SUV - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By jim g - November 30 - 10:00 am

  Love this truck. Im a previous X5 owner and the performance and steering are the best of any SUV I test drove.

• 

  Porsche Cayenne: Best SUV - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
  By phil - November 28 - 4:50 pm

  The Porshe Cayenne is by far the best SUV made on this planet. Not only is the SUV fun to drive but it is also a very safe car. The four wheel drive is AWESOME. My family and I were driving to the airport in HEAVY SNOW. WE went in our Range Rover and I was driving but it was nearly impossible to stay on the road it was the worst snow storm i have ever been in. So, I turned around to go back home, and we switched to the Cayenne......when i got back on the road with it i was able to pass people go in the upper 80s without any trouble.(no joke)Now moving on to the fun part of driving it. This SUV is VERY FAST AND GREAT HANDLING GREAT BREAKS 0-62 in 5.2 sec. And i have had no problems.

• 

  More than I expected in a SUV - 2008 Porsche Cayenne
  By el415 - November 25 - 8:49 am

  You wonder how they do it, other than you being high off of the ground you hardly notice the weight and size of this car. No it doesnt have Porsche speed, but its plenty quick for any base luxury SUV. I had a Discovery 2 and a 540i. It really drives a like the 540i, but not as quick, its very similar to a 528i or an Audi A6 3.0. As to the Disco, the Cayenne is far more nimbler and much more responsive. Its a European sports sedan thats tall, big, and can go off-road (if thats important to you, check out videos on Youtube).

• 

  Love my Birthday Gift! - 2016 Porsche Cayenne
  By Genny - November 19 - 8:34 am

  Check out Edmunds price first!

• 

  Great automobile, lousy customer support - 2012 Porsche Cayenne
  By pablo3031 - November 6 - 6:30 am

  I purchased a new 2012 Cayenne turbo, wonderful piece of machinery. Design, looks, ride and engine all great. Brakes have been an issue, 4 visits to dealer resulted in new rotors and pads at roughly 15,000 miles due to unbearable squeaking noise, still persists. Dealer has confirmed, Porsche rep confirmed and has said that thats the way it is. I have been waiting for a call back from dealer for 4 weeks now, nothing. For a purchase of $130K I expect more from a customer service standpoint.

• 

  Porsche CS SUV Review - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By jimwulf - November 3 - 6:26 am

  Strong Performer. Excellent on Highway, but a little rough on City Streets. Superb in Snow and Storms. Really fun in the Mountains.