Opel Boss Carl-Peter Forster Calls It Quits
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Porsche Cayenne Quality Review

August 19, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Materials quality is superb
Edmunds

Supportive seats covered with a handsome combination of leather and a suede-like material called Alcantara
Car and Driver

With rear seats up, the Cayenne accommodates a substantial 19 cubic feet of cargo
Kelley Blue Book

The comfort and quality category is a mixed bag on the 2008 Porsche Cayenne. While some materials are excellent, as is total fit and finish, overall usability and certain comfort aspects are decried in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com.

The 2008 Porsche Cayenne features a "five-seat interior," according to Cars.com, and most reviewers appreciate the comfort and space offered by the front two seats. Up front, ConsumerGuide finds that the Porsche Cayenne features "ample head room," along with "generous seat travel" and "excellent lateral support, though seat bottoms may pinch some physiques." ForbesAutos adds that the Porsche Cayenne's rear seats feature "lots of room for outboard passengers," while ConsumerGuide mentions that there is "good leg" and "toe space" for rear passengers. However, ConsumerGuide points out that the rear seats are "too firm for some testers," and "passengers need to twist ankles to clear door frames on exit." Edmunds is more critical, grumbling "rear-seat comfort is mediocre."

For a mid-size SUV, the Porsche 2008 Cayenne isn't particularly practical in terms of overall space. Once again, Edmunds has harsh words for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne, claiming "cargo capacity, at 62.5 cubic feet, is on the small side for a midsize luxury SUV." That 62.5-cubic-feet figure is the maximum overall cargo capacity with the rear seats folded, but Kelley Blue Book says that "with rear seats up, the Cayenne accommodates a substantial 19 cubic feet of cargo." This rear cargo space is "good," according to ConsumerGuide, but "not expansive for an SUV." ConsumerGuide also mentions that the Porsche 2008 Cayenne has "adequate cabin storage."

Interior materials on the Porsche Cayenne are a mix of hard plastics and soft leather. ConsumerGuide says that the cabin materials are "classy, but not opulent for this price level," and though Edmunds crows "materials quality is superb," other reviewers disagreed. Notably, Motor Trend laments the "cramped, somber, and plasticky interior." However, Kelley Blue Book gives the 2008 Porsche Cayenne high marks for having leather that "decorates the steering wheel rim, door handles, grab handles and other areas where many luxury models use simulated coverings." Aside from the materials, construction and build quality is superb, and Edmunds says that "fit and finish, especially with the optional wood or metallic accent packages, is excellent."

Also earning high praise on the 2008 Porsche Cayenne is the SUV's noise reduction capability. In their tests, ConsumerGuide finds that the Porsche Cayenne exhibits "little wind rush below 70 mph" and emits an "appropriate exhaust growl." The Detroit News also reports that the Porsche Cayenne is capable of going over 160 mph, and "even at those speeds, the cabin is quiet enough to hear the gasps from the back seat."

Conclusion

A few too many plastic surfaces and lack of overall cargo room bring the 2008 Porsche Cayenne down here.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Materials quality is superbEdmundsSupportive seats covered with a handsome combination of leather and a suede-like material called AlcantaraCar and DriverWith rear seats up, the Cayenne accommodates a substantial 19 cubic feet of cargoKelley Blue Book The comfort and quality category is a mixed bag on the 2008 Porsche Cayenne. While some materials are excellent, as is total fit and finish, overall usability and certain comfort aspects are decried in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. The 2008 Porsche Cayenne features a "five-seat interior," according to Cars.com, and most reviewers appreciate the comfort and space offered by the front two seats. Up front, ConsumerGuide finds that the Porsche Cayenne features "ample head room," along with "generous seat travel" and "excellent lateral support, though seat bottoms may pinch some physiques." ForbesAutos adds that the Porsche Cayenne's rear seats feature "lots of room for outboard passengers," while ConsumerGuide mentions that there is "good leg" and "toe space" for rear passengers. However, ConsumerGuide points out that the rear seats are "too firm for some testers," and "passengers need to twist ankles to clear door frames on exit." Edmunds is more critical, grumbling "rear-seat comfort is mediocre." For a mid-size SUV, the Porsche 2008 Cayenne isn't particularly practical in terms of overall space. Once again, Edmunds has harsh words for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne, claiming "cargo capacity, at 62.5 cubic feet, is on the small side for a midsize luxury SUV." That 62.5-cubic-feet figure is the maximum overall cargo capacity with the rear seats folded, but Kelley Blue Book says that "with rear seats up, the Cayenne accommodates a substantial 19 cubic feet of cargo." This rear cargo space is "good," according to ConsumerGuide, but "not expansive for an SUV." ConsumerGuide also mentions that the Porsche 2008 Cayenne has "adequate cabin storage." Interior materials on the Porsche Cayenne are a mix of hard plastics and soft leather. ConsumerGuide says that the cabin materials are "classy, but not opulent for this price level," and though Edmunds crows "materials quality is superb," other reviewers disagreed. Notably, Motor Trend laments the "cramped, somber, and plasticky interior." However, Kelley Blue Book gives the 2008 Porsche Cayenne high marks for having leather that "decorates the steering wheel rim, door handles, grab handles and other areas where many luxury models use simulated coverings." Aside from the materials, construction and build quality is superb, and Edmunds says that "fit and finish, especially with the optional wood or metallic accent packages, is excellent." Also earning high praise on the 2008 Porsche Cayenne is the SUV's noise reduction capability. In their tests, ConsumerGuide finds that the Porsche Cayenne exhibits "little wind rush below 70 mph" and emits an "appropriate exhaust growl." The Detroit News also reports that the Porsche Cayenne is capable of going over 160 mph, and "even at those speeds, the cabin is quiet enough to hear the gasps from the back seat." ConclusionA few too many plastic surfaces and lack of overall cargo room bring the 2008 Porsche Cayenne down here.  2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "A slightly more aggressive stance than last year's model" ForbesAutos: "The Turbo model's front end features two thin vertical bars in its larger grille, as well as unique horizontal turn indicator lights" Motor Trend: "Cramped, ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The interior of the Audi Q7 is much more attractive and upscale-feeling than the 2008 Porsche Cayenne, but it drives with more heft than the Cayenne and doesn't handle quite as quickly; also, it's based on the same platform and feels disappointingly small inside. The Infiniti FX is priced significantly lower than the Cayenne, and it feels faster and lighter behind the wheel, with crisp handling and tight body control. But the FX doesn't have a very comfortable ride at times, and it's rather small inside. The BMW X5 boasts some degree of off-road prowess along with its good on-road handling, and it has a well-appointed interior, in addition to plenty of high-tech options such as Active Steering, but the bottom-line price, like the Cayenne's, can really add up. Finally, the roomiest and most sensible vehicle on this list is the MDX, which has a very nicely appointed, comfortable interior, a smooth ride, and quite good handling, with a sporty feel that's eager and responsive though not as hard-charging as the Cayenne's.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Porsche Cayenne

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Porsche Cayenne near you

See the Porsche Cayenne in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy