With a name like Porsche, one also expects very comfortable seating delivering exemplary support. The Cayenne doesn’t disappoint here, and its sporty, close-fitting seats ensure an excellent driving position.
The secret ingredient
The GTS version is simply bursting with power. It’s a true beast. The 4.8-litre V8 kicks out no less than 405 hp and 369 ft-lb of torque. Big numbers, but are they really necessary? I’m not so sure, at least not in everyday life. Justified or not, the engine is simply fantastic.
The Cayenne is particularly sophisticated, bold even. Roaring from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds in an SUV this size, well, yes, you could say the experience is “emotional”. Thankfully, the SUV temperament tones things down a bit, and occupants benefit from abundant interior space.
The price of such blistering performance? 16 litres per 100 km of premium fuel. That’s a lot, but considering the engine’s potency it seems almost reasonable.
The transmission does a good job but doesn’t put the emphasis on driving enjoyment. The seven gears are well spaced, but as the transmission is an automatic box with steering wheel paddles, driving is less dynamic.
Handling is absolutely phenomenal. The suspension and chassis settings are adjusted by the damping control system according to road conditions. The suspension always remains slightly stiff though, which affects ride comfort somewhat compared to the competition. The suspension is also height-adjustable for your off-road jaunts. But although the Cayenne is capable of taking the path less travelled, that is certainly not where it shines. Its size and weight are a handicap.
The big, bright red callipers are just as powerful as they look. This proves essential in the case of the Cayenne, as it is capable of incredible performance despite weighting in at 2,225 kg.
Competition
The competition is fierce in the prestigious arena of performance SUVs, especially as some models are available in even spicier versions: Audi Q7 4,2 FSI Quattro (350 hp from $75,100), BMW X5 xDrive4.8i (350 hp from $75,500), BMW X6 xDrive5.0i (400 hp from $78,100), Infiniti FX50 (390 hp from $59,900), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 (420 hp from $49,995) and Mercedes-Benz ML550 (382 hp from $75,300).
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| Handling is absolutely phenomenal. The suspension and chassis settings are adjusted by the damping control system according to road conditions. |
The secret ingredient
The GTS version is simply bursting with power. It’s a true beast. The 4.8-litre V8 kicks out no less than 405 hp and 369 ft-lb of torque. Big numbers, but are they really necessary? I’m not so sure, at least not in everyday life. Justified or not, the engine is simply fantastic.
The Cayenne is particularly sophisticated, bold even. Roaring from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds in an SUV this size, well, yes, you could say the experience is “emotional”. Thankfully, the SUV temperament tones things down a bit, and occupants benefit from abundant interior space.
The price of such blistering performance? 16 litres per 100 km of premium fuel. That’s a lot, but considering the engine’s potency it seems almost reasonable.
The transmission does a good job but doesn’t put the emphasis on driving enjoyment. The seven gears are well spaced, but as the transmission is an automatic box with steering wheel paddles, driving is less dynamic.
Handling is absolutely phenomenal. The suspension and chassis settings are adjusted by the damping control system according to road conditions. The suspension always remains slightly stiff though, which affects ride comfort somewhat compared to the competition. The suspension is also height-adjustable for your off-road jaunts. But although the Cayenne is capable of taking the path less travelled, that is certainly not where it shines. Its size and weight are a handicap.
The big, bright red callipers are just as powerful as they look. This proves essential in the case of the Cayenne, as it is capable of incredible performance despite weighting in at 2,225 kg.
Competition
The competition is fierce in the prestigious arena of performance SUVs, especially as some models are available in even spicier versions: Audi Q7 4,2 FSI Quattro (350 hp from $75,100), BMW X5 xDrive4.8i (350 hp from $75,500), BMW X6 xDrive5.0i (400 hp from $78,100), Infiniti FX50 (390 hp from $59,900), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 (420 hp from $49,995) and Mercedes-Benz ML550 (382 hp from $75,300).
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| The 4.8-litre V8 kicks out no less than 405 hp and 369 ft-lb of torque. |