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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  You dont want to get off it - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By ivan sabido - August 16 - 1:33 pm

  I have had my Cayenne for more than a year now I got it when it was a rare model and i was a little nervous about it but after all this time I still feel excited every time i am going to drive it. Not only by its atractive exterior design but also for the performance and the response you get when you step on the pedal. If I want to feel that I control it the Triptonic option is fun because I get to control the changes . Sleek modern elegant interiors. Great sound equipment. Suspention is too hard you will feel any bump in the road double the size when moving slowly. Sometimes in the mornings it will take it some time (maybe about 5 minutes ) to heat up to perform normally. This is a great vehicle.

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  outstanding - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Dr. Teeth - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Cayenne for almost 5 months and Ive had zero problems with it.The vehicle has been perfect!I dont believe you will have any regrets buying this Porsche.The car is very well built and very well thought out.

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  Porsche Cayenne - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By sean curley - July 7 - 10:53 pm

  It is a VERY fun car to drive it handles everything i throw at it very well. Decent fuel economy for an SUV.

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  Cant stop driving it - 2003 Porsche Cayenne
  By Marc10023 - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Just bought a Cayenne S 10 days ago and already 1,200 miles on! Cant stop driving it. Great ride according to the 15 people who "begged" for a spin. After 1000 miles its sound changes noticeably -- may I dare to say like a tiger? really cool. Great looks too: get it black inside black outside -- the "only" combination that works I think. Very aggressive looks. GPS system is amazing. Tiptronic is fun. Gas is OK (18 mpg on highway) and the tank is huge so you dont feel like youre always going to the pump.

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  Long term observations - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By Peter Pivko - July 2 - 7:53 pm

  Mileage is 18 highway at best due to the excessive weight of the car and the big V-8. Overall driving impressions over the past 4 years rate this SUV as med-high. It has a stiff/harsher ride for the rear passengers as the seats do not cushion as well and are over the rear tires.

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  Chase after your Dream ! - 2003 Porsche Cayenne
  By elise - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Air Suspension made handling on the Cayenne excellent. The appreciation came everytime you pull a high speed curve,it simply does not roll.Acceleration is quick and on demand.With its rigid body,high ground clearance and a high,low range gear combined with a lockable differential,there should be no doubt that it is a true off roader. It is 90% close to a 911(Can anyone really drive their 911 toward 100%)and it is a true off roader.This is definitely a benchmark setting schievement.In sum,if you are considering a Porsche,the Cayenne is the best choice and value for your money.

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  awesome!!!!! - 2005 Porsche Cayenne
  By big c - June 12 - 7:20 pm

  just got it great handling ,awesome breaks good firm ride . Pricey but hey its a porsche, stereo could be simpler to use but sounds good.Only Problem is 6-cylinder eng. very slow off the line but great at speed. Now im onto th fx 35 so i can have the two best looking suvs on the planet.

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  Not Mom friendly - 2006 Porsche Cayenne
  By Karina - June 11 - 1:00 pm

  I really dont like this car. When we went to look at it I thought it was great because it had style, class and super comfortable seats. The more I drive it though, the less I enjoy it. The GPS system is terrible. The seats are nearly impossible for me to maneuver (cant get the head-rests on and off by myself, really hard to fold and lift the rear seats) and the rear storage is totally inadequate. I had my daughter a year after I bought this car and it is so difficult to put the car seat in and out of too! On the other hand, we were rear eneded when she was a newborn and barely felt the impact which was nice.

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  911 of SUVs - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By DWL - May 30 - 10:00 am

  The 911 I drive in the summer is a blast; thought Id have to give that fun up for upper Midwest winters. No way! The Cayenne Turbo has a feel surprisingly close to that of my base model 911 (No S, no turbo, no PSM), and I can still haul my family up north for skiing. I finally enjoy long car rides with my tots in the back!

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  Trouble - 2004 Porsche Cayenne
  By parker511 - May 23 - 7:06 am

  First let me say that from the day that I bought the car, there was something very wrong with the allignment. After taking it in 3 or 4 times with the same problems, I was getting frustrated to say the least. Up until this point, everything was "under warranty." Suddenly, when I took the Cayenne infor an oil change & to fix te ongoing problem--when I picked up my car, the bill was $700 for an oil change & balance. Right then I decided to trade it in before something incrediblewent wrong!!