Porsche Cayenne

2003 Porsche Cayenne

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The Cayenne was first introduced in 2003, when its arrival raised eyebrows and elicited more than just a few protestations from longtime Porschephiles. Sharing core componentry, along with its hybrid unit-body/frame construction with the Volkswagen Touareg, the Cayenne entered the market essentially shaped like many of its rivals but with a sleek Porsche front end and distinctly Porsche wheels, taillights, and exhaust pipes. Initially, 340-horsepower, 4.5-liter V-8 Cayenne S and 450-hp turbocharged Turbo S were introduced, but following them in 2005 was a Cayenne V6 version, powered by a 'specially tuned,' 247-horsepower, 3.2-liter version of the long-running narrow-angle Volkswagen VR6 engine. Those worried about Porsche pedigree cried foul, as the engine had been installed on all sorts of products from the Volkswagen Golf to the Eurovan over the years—and the Cayenne took about nine seconds to get to 60 mph.

For 2008, after sitting out for the 2007 model year, the Cayenne got a serious facelift and some significant improvements. The base V-6 model was given a higher-output version of the 3.6-liter VR6, making 290 horsepower, and the Cayenne could now dash to 60 in around eight seconds (still slower than many V-6 minivans, however). Cayenne S versions have a 4.8-liter V-8 making 385 hp; and the Turbo S has a 500-hp version of the same engine. The V6 model comes with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic automatic, while the S and Turbo come only with the automatic. But a new GTS model, introduced for 2009, slots between the S and Turbo, and gets a 405-horsepower version of the V-8 along with a six-speed manual transmission, larger wheels, and a retuned suspension. The GTS also includes a Sport setting that controls its exhaust note as well as suspension calibration.

From behind the wheel of one of the V-8 versions of the Cayenne, you can forget you're piloting such a practical vehicle. These are perhaps the most fun-to-drive large utility vehicles at any price, with well-tuned steering feel and a secure but surprisingly nimble feeling, given the Cayenne's portly 5,000-pounds-plus weight. V-6 versions although fast once underway still tend to feel sluggish (for a performance vehicle) from a standing start.  

Modest off-road ability is another claim of the Cayenne. It can ford up to 19 inches of water and handle most of the moderately difficult trail demands you throw at it. The Cayenne's cabin is pitchy during off-roading, but the all-wheel drive system can send up to 100 percent of power to the front or rear wheels, and hydraulically adjustable stabilizer bars and a host of electronic systems helps keep allow a modest degree of articulation.

The Cayenne's interior is comfortable, but interior space is surprisingly limited and the instrument panel and interior trims remain stark and rather drab. There's no third row in the Cayenne, but the second row has plenty of space for three adults when needed, and it fold down for more cargo space. Cargo space is less, again surprisingly, than some much smaller, lighter crossovers, at 62.5 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Fuel economy figures for the Cayenne have also been much maligned, with the base V6 version only achieving 14 mpg city. S and Turbo versions don't do much worse, with the Turbo at 12/19.

An all-new Porsche Cayenne—to be significantly lighter than the current version, and joined by a new Cayenne Hybrid model—will arrive for 2011.

2009 Porsche Cayenne

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