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2010 Porsche Cayenne Photo

2010 Porsche Cayenne - Page 1 Review

MSRP: $45,500 - $126,300 See Local Classifieds
 
Shopping for a 2010 Porsche Cayenne? MSRP: $45,500 - $126,300

SEE LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS
TheCarConnection.com’s expert reviewers have compiled their own driving impressions together with a thorough search of the web’s road tests and reviews to compile a comprehensive review to help you make the best buying decision possible.

Likes:

  • Excellent handling
  • Potent acceleration in Turbo form
  • High-speed stability
  • Excellent front seats

Dislikes:

  • Space-inefficient interior
  • Fuel economy for V-8 models
  • V-6 still doesn’t accelerate like a Porsche

The Cayenne is Porsche’s only SUV, and it’s the brand’s best-selling vehicle in North America. Such a successful recipe is worth sticking with, and accordingly Porsche has announced no updates for the 2010 model year, though two special-edition models are available: The Transsyberia S and the GTS PD Edition 3. Those models offers unique equipment and appearance packages on the standard S and GTS layouts, respectively.

The 2010 Porsche Cayenne sees essentially no visual updates inside or out, with the front and rear exterior updates of 2008 and the intake/exhaust updates of 2009 carrying forward to 2010. The contoured taillamps and Turbo-specific LED versions are still characteristic of the vehicle’s styling, and the prominent lower air dam up front balances the dual exhausts out back.

In base V-6 form, the 2010 Porsche Cayenne won’t easily be confused for a fast vehicle of any form. It gets to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, which is downright anemic for a Porsche-branded vehicle. Slow response off the line is to blame for most of the sluggish times, as in-gear passing power is good with both the standard six-speed manual transmission and the more common six-speed Tiptronic automatic.

Two V-8 engines are available for 2010: a 4.8-liter rated at 385 horsepower sits under the hood of the Cayenne S, while the Turbo S gets a twin-turbocharged version of the same engine rated at 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That much power delivers truly Porsche-like acceleration without questions, hitting 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Specs: Select a Trim

AWD 4dr (8) MSRP Invoice MPG City MPG Hwy
AWD 4dr Man Specs $45,500 $40,770 14 20
AWD 4dr Tiptronic Specs $48,500 $43,320 14 20
AWD 4dr S Specs $60,700 $54,450 13 19
AWD 4dr GTS Man Specs $72,400 $64,980 11 17
AWD 4dr GTS Tiptronic Specs $75,400 $67,530 13 18
AWD 4dr Turbo Specs $99,900 $89,730 12 19
AWD 4dr Turbo S Specs $126,300 $113,490 12 19
AWD 4dr S Transsyberia Tiptronic Specs $70,800 $63,540 11 17

Other Choices

More Info

Why should I also consider these? X

The BMW X5 is also good off-road as well as on, plus the luxurious interior and wide range of high-tech options make for a compelling package, but like the Cayenne, the price can quickly get out of control.

The X5 M can match or exceed the Cayenne Turbo S in every department as well.

Audi’s Q7 offers a much more attractive and upscale-feeling interior than the 2010 Porsche Cayenne, and is more useful, too, with available third row seating, but it doesn’t have the sporting capability of the Cayenne.

The Infiniti FX sits at a much lower price point than the Cayenne, and it seems like faster, lighter vehicle at the wheel, handling crisply and tautly.

Its smaller side and lower ride quality make it somewhat less practical than the Cayenne, however.

The most sensible vehicle of the bunch is the Acura MDX--it delivers a comfortable, stylish interior, smooth ride and good handling while still being a useful SUV.

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