2009 Porsche Cayenne Review
When you think of Porsche, the first few things that cross your mind are speed, style and refinement. Moreover, if I told you that I just bought a Porsche, you would immediately assume that it’s the mighty 911, the distinctive Cayman or the sophisticated Boxster. Yet, over half of all Porsches sold in Canada are… SUVs.
When you think of Porsche, the first few things that cross your mind are speed, style and refinement.
That’s right: the Porsche Cayenne is the German brand’s best-selling model in the land of the maple leaf. While sacrificing some agility and quickness, Cayenne buyers definitely get more versatility and all-weather capability. In fact, good luck trying to find hardcore enthusiasts who still drive their Porsche car in eight inches of snow!
Affordable after all
I can hear the critics from a mile away: “the Cayenne is a large premium SUV and burns way too much fuel” and so on… That’s probably true if you select the most powerful, top-of-the-line model. However, I’m a reasonable man and my choice for this road test was the base Cayenne.
At around $70,000, this model is far from cheap, one could argue, but it’s much more affordable than the almighty Cayenne Turbo S, which carries a sticker price of about $150,000. The entry-level model allows any premium car buyer to add Porsche to his or her shopping list.
As for fuel consumption, it proved to be quite respectable despite the vehicle’s significant girth. Granted, my tester came with the base powerplant (a 290-hp, 3.6L V-6 engine), but the latter was more potent than I could ask for and still burned less than 12 liters per 100 kilometers. By comparison, the turbocharged Mazda CX-7 AWD averages over 13 L/100 km in normal driving conditions!
Family looks
When you look at the Porsche Cayenne, you can’t help but find visual ties to other members of this prestigious family. The headlights are unmistakable from hundreds of feet away and the overall physique of the SUV is the clear product of the automaker’s sporty DNA.
My tester came with the base powerplant (a 290-hp, 3.6L flat-six engine).
True, the Olive Green model I was road-testing turned heads with its unique color as much as its silhouette, but still, the Cayenne’s lines are just as attractive as those of its siblings, albeit a little more subtle.
Meanwhile, the interior is remarkably refined. The materials (including premium leather), colors (in my case, a spectacular Havanna/Sand Beige) and flawless fit and finish easily confirm Porsche as one of the leaders in build quality and design execution.
There’s plenty of room, too, although access is a bit tricky for short people. Once you’re comfortably seated, be it up front or in the back, you have all the freedom to stretch.
I have one major complaint inside, however, and it’s the complexity of the controls (in typical Porsche fashion). The buttons are miniscule and some are hard to reach. Of course, that’s a relatively small sacrifice given the absolute comfort provided by the Cayenne.
The materials (including premium leather), colors (in my case, a spectacular Havanna/Sand Beige).
On the road
The main reason people buy (or should buy) a Porsche, regardless of the model, is the driving experience. The Cayenne is no exception, even in basic configuration. First of all, any SUV with a six-speed manual gearbox starts with an edge in terms of sportiness. And correct me if I’m wrong, but the Cayenne is the only one in its class to offer such type of transmission, which leads to superior control and unquestionable fun.
Add an extremely-sharp steering and a great suspension delivering firm handling in tighter corners and you get a true “sport” utility vehicle, especially with a competent, weather-busting all-wheel drive system on top of that.
I have to admit, though, that accelerations do not quite live up to expectations. I noticed a small delay between throttle input and the actual forward surge, which quickly became annoying. Even the brake pedal takes time before converting input from the driver into braking power. That said, once you push it far enough, the vehicle will stop with outstanding effectiveness.
So, is the Cayenne worth the money? I’d say no if a compact SUV is what you dream about, but yes if you wish to add definite German prestige to your garage. Let’s face it: the Cayenne truly deserves its branch in the Porsche family tree.
