Overall Rating |  |
Cayenne is very expensive, very fast and a great on-road drive. Off-road it's slightly compromised. And it's not as roomy or practical as you might expect a big 4x4 to be.
For
- 4x4 supercar that invented a unique niche sector
- A trophy purchase with strong image and heritage
- Amazing abilities but quite practical
Against
- More pose than purpose - who would take it off-road?
- Controversial styling - 911 meets fridge
- High running costs; Group 20 insurance
Road Test
A Porsche badge on an off-roader? It's an odd combination and Cayenne is an odd vehicle but it works thanks to Porsche's expertise in solving difficult dynamic questions.
The two V8s are charismatic and sound great. Either will push this large vehicle forward at astonishing speed (0-60mph in under six seconds with the 450bhp Turbo).
On tarmac, Cayenne is as assured as any other Porsche, with great grip, a supple ride and a superb driving position. Essentially Cayenne feels like a jacked-up sports saloon. Off-road it can cope with mud and has all the usual clever gearbox devices to deal with the rough stuff, but it's no Range Rover.
Despite its size, rear passengers have limited knee room. Refinement levels are impressive, as are build quality and equipment levels, but all this costs. Ultimately you're paying for the badge and the engineering. Porsche probably threw the controversial body styling in for free!
Need To Know
Best Models: Turbo
Worst Models: S
Replacement: 2010
Alternatives
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Star Ratings
Handling  Comfort Quality & Reliability Performance  Roominess Running Costs  Value for Money Stereo/Sat Nav |
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