Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche badge has always been applied to cars which prioritize driver involvement. So when the company released the big Cayenne 4×4 in 2002, some doubted whether that reputation would still apply.

To Porsche’s credit, it did, and the result was a car with the practicality of a large 4×4 and something like the driver appeal of a sports car. It was a recipe that proved immensely popular, despite the love-or-hate-it styling.

Now in its second generation, the Cayenne’s styling has become less controversial. Following a mid-life facelift at the beginning of 2015, it also still has the poise and power that made it such a hit.

Here’s a list of pros and cons.

Space in the Porsche Cayenne

The Cayenne might be large for a Porsche, but it’s not as practical as some other big 4x4s because there’s less shoulder room and it forces a central rear passenger to straddle a lump in the floor.

You can’t specify the third row of seats, either, but it’s comfortable for four adults, and the rear seats slide back and forth on runners so you can enlarge the boot when smaller children are sitting in the back.

With the seats all the way back, the boot isn’t as large as a BMW X5’s or a Range Rover Sports. But it can still swallow a couple of large suitcases easily enough. You can also fold down the rear seats to expand the load area, and models fitted with air suspension allow you to lower the rear of the car to make it easier to load.

The S E-Hybrid plug-in electric Cayenne has the same size boot as petrol and diesel models but does not come with a spare wheel.

Comfort in the Porsche Cayenne

As befits its status as one of the sportier 4x4s, the Cayenne has a suspension that errs on the firm side. But for the most part, it’s still comfortable enough.

The seats are supportive, too, and there’s a huge range of adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel, so it won’t be hard to find a comfortable position.

All Cayennes have relatively wide tyres, which generate some road noise, plus there’s a bit of wind noise from around the door mirrors on the motorway. However, the engines sound smoother than the ones in the BMW X5.

Those seeking the ultimate in quiet low-speed driving should consider the S E-Hybrid, which can run on electric power for up to 20 miles. It’s just a shame that the petrol engine it’s attached to sounds a bit bland for a Porsche.

Dashboard Styling of the Porsche Cayenne

Climb inside the Cayenne and it’s instantly evident that you’re in a premium car. High-quality plastics and leathers are blended with slivers of aluminium trim, and all of the buttons on the dashboard have a slick and expensive feel.

Sadly, there’s an awful lot of those buttons, so it can be difficult to find the one you want without taking your eyes off the road for longer than you ideally would.

At least the standard touchscreen keeps the stereo and sat-nav functions reasonably simple, and it’s easy to reach the screen from the driver’s seat.

Driving ease of the Porsche Cayenne

The Cayenne is a big car, which can make it daunting for inexperienced drivers, but the raised seating position does give you a good forward view.

Rear visibility isn’t so good, due to shallow windows and chunky blind spots, although the standard reversing sensors help to minimize the problem.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts very smoothly in full auto mode but isn’t the quickest if you take over with the steering wheel-mounted paddles. All models have sufficient power to make getting up to speed feel completely effortless.

By some distance, the Cayenne is the most exciting big 4×4 to drive. The way it grips, changes direction and resists lean in corners is more akin to a hot hatch than a car of its size.

Precise, well-weighted steering adds to the experience, while the S diesel and Turbo petrol models accelerate with a ferocity that’s genuinely shocking, and sound great, too.

The petrol V6 S can sound a bit strained when revved, however, and the extra weight of the batteries in the S E-Hybrid compromise both the steering precision and how keen the car is to turn into corners.

Reliability of the Porsche Cayenne

The three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty on the Cayenne matches that of the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport.

The battery on the hybrid model comes with its own six-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

No large 4×4 offers particularly compelling fuel economy figures, but the Cayenne falls somewhere in the middle if you go for a diesel model; it drinks more fuel than equivalent versions of the BMW X5 and Mercedes ML but isn’t as thirsty as a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Range Rover Sport.

The regular diesel will return around 34mpg in real-world driving conditions, while both the petrol and diesel S versions should see low 30s. For the Turbo versions don’t expect any more than 20mpg, particularly if you want to enjoy the performance.

The S E-Hybrid can be very effective if you are able to maximise the use of its 20 or so mile electric range. For example, if you are able to plug it in to charge at either end of your commute. On longer journeys expect to see about 35mpg – somewhat short of the 83mpg the car achieved in the unrealistic official EU fuel economy cycle.

Safety in the Porsche Cayenne

It has four airbags that protect those in the front, plus two more run the length of the car at window level.

Porsche also offers rear door-mounted airbags as an option. And there are a host of standard driver aids that are designed to help you avoid an accident in the first place, including systems that improve stability and reduce the chance of a roll-over.

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