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2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS Review

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Bertrand Godin
Spicing things up
When she made her famous spaghetti sauce, my mother always told me it was very important not to forget the one ingredient that makes the difference between a good sauce and a bad one. That ingredient, she said, is cayenne pepper, and it does indeed make all the difference.

The Cayenne offers everything you would expect from a Porsche.

Spices that stand out
Strangely, that is the same ingredient the Porsche engineers used with their SUV. They weren’t satisfied with creating just any utility vehicle. It had to be spicy – and believe me, it is.

Despite the shockwaves it caused in the auto industry when it went on sale, the game was worth the candle. The Cayenne accounts for over 50% of the automaker’s sales. Some even say that Porsche has become quite profitable thanks to the commercial prowess of its SUV.

Does it deserve the badge?
Whether you like it or not, the Cayenne is undeniably a Porsche. It perfectly embodies the brand’s philosophy. On first sight, you realize just how far from ordinary it really is. It unmistakably shares its front styling cues with the other Porsche vehicles. The 21-inch wheels are the opposite of discreet, seemingly chomping at the bit in their eagerness to hit the road.

Comforting
The cabin puts many luxury vehicles to shame. It’s just a detail, but the entire roof is covered in precious Alcantara suede. It’s magnificent when new, but I have a few doubts as to the longevity of its appearance over the years.

The dash is ergonomic, elegant and dressed entirely in leather. The finish is flawless. The cabin is very luxurious, even though I was surprised to note the absence of quite a few features, such as a reverse camera. Obviously, the list of options is virtually limitless; however, for a vehicle with an $88,000 base price (over $92,000 with automatic transmission), one would expect more standard features.

The cabin puts many luxury vehicles to shame.
Bertrand Godin
Bertrand Godin
Automotive expert
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