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2009 Porsche Cayenne Quality Review

April 28, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

lots of room for outboard passengers
ForbesAutos

materials quality is superb
Edmunds

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

Editors at TheCarConnection.com have mixed reactions to comfort and quality in the 2009 Porsche Cayenne. Materials are quite good, but there's something missing in its overall utility.

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." The 2009 Porsche Cayenne features a "five-seat interior," according to Cars.com, 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."

ConsumerGuide mentions that the Porsche 2009 Cayenne has "adequate cabin storage." Cargo room, however, is tight overall. This rear cargo space is "good," according to ConsumerGuide, but "not expansive for an SUV." Edmunds has harsh words for the 2009 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."

Motor Trend laments the "cramped, somber, and plasticky interior" of the 2009 Porsche Cayenne. However, Kelley Blue Book gives the 2009 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." 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. Aside from the materials, construction and build quality is superb, and Edmunds proclaims that "fit and finish, especially with the optional wood or metallic accent packages, is excellent."

Also earning high praise on the 2009 Porsche Cayenne is the SUV's noise reduction capability. Detroit News reports that the Porsche Cayenne is capable of exceeding 160 mph, and "even at those speeds, the cabin is quiet enough to hear the gasps from the back seat." In their tests, ConsumerGuide finds that the Porsche Cayenne exhibits "little wind rush below 70 mph" and emits an "appropriate exhaust growl."

Conclusion

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne has some definite good points, but less plastic and more cargo room certainly wouldn't hurt.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:lots of room for outboard passengersForbesAutosmaterials quality is superbEdmundswith rear seats up, the Cayenne accommodates a substantial 19 cubic feet of cargoKelley Blue Book Editors at TheCarConnection.com have mixed reactions to comfort and quality in the 2009 Porsche Cayenne. Materials are quite good, but there's something missing in its overall utility. 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." The 2009 Porsche Cayenne features a "five-seat interior," according to Cars.com, 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." ConsumerGuide mentions that the Porsche 2009 Cayenne has "adequate cabin storage." Cargo room, however, is tight overall. This rear cargo space is "good," according to ConsumerGuide, but "not expansive for an SUV." Edmunds has harsh words for the 2009 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." Motor Trend laments the "cramped, somber, and plasticky interior" of the 2009 Porsche Cayenne. However, Kelley Blue Book gives the 2009 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." 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. Aside from the materials, construction and build quality is superb, and Edmunds proclaims that "fit and finish, especially with the optional wood or metallic accent packages, is excellent." Also earning high praise on the 2009 Porsche Cayenne is the SUV's noise reduction capability. Detroit News reports that the Porsche Cayenne is capable of exceeding 160 mph, and "even at those speeds, the cabin is quiet enough to hear the gasps from the back seat." In their tests, ConsumerGuide finds that the Porsche Cayenne exhibits "little wind rush below 70 mph" and emits an "appropriate exhaust growl." ConclusionThe 2009 Porsche Cayenne has some definite good points, but less plastic and more cargo room certainly wouldn't hurt. 2009 PORSCHE CAYENNE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "functional sense" 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, somber, and plasticky interior" ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

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. The interior of the Audi Q7 is much more attractive and upscale-feeling than the 2009 Porsche Cayenne, and it has an available third row of seating, but it drives with more heft than the Cayenne and doesn't handle quite as quickly. 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. Finally, the 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 but not trying to be like a sportscar.

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See the Porsche Cayenne in Other Years:

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

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