2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Review

A sport-utility vehicle in Porsche’s line-up of cars might seem like a sin, but the fact is that this year, the Cayenne is outselling the 911 as well as the Boxster and Cayman combined.

The Cayenne delivers all-season sports-car performance while providing space for the family.

We can safely say that thanks to the Cayenne, Porsche is threading above water and is rich enough to develop new versions of its cars. What’s also ironic is that the base version of this SUV is the most affordable Porsche in Canadian showrooms, yet on the other hand, the Cayenne Turbo S is the most powerful Porsche you can buy right now, but more on how much it costs later.

Massive power output
The top-shelf Cayenne is powered by a twin-turbocharged and intercooled 4.8-litre V8, which bolts out 550 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. All this rubber-melting power is dished out through a 6-speed automatic that offers a manual mode and paddle shifters.

At first, the tranny seems sluggish at rowing through its gears, and the Turbo S doesn’t feel as muscular as it is. But once you hit the Sport button on the centre console, the SUV turns into a Tyrannosaurus Rex; 100 km/h is yours in just 5.2 seconds, while the quarter mile flashes by 13.3 seconds, at which point you’re going 172 km/h. Passing power is equally prodigious, the Turbo S accelerating from 80 to 120 km/h in just 3.2 seconds.

It’s got moves, too
What’s even more amazing is how well this 5,200-lb (2,355-kg) truck can handle. Equipped with a push-button adjustable air suspension, this Cayenne sticks to the asphalt when barrelling down country roads, yet remains smooth on the highway and around town.

The driver can select from a range of ride heights, which further enhances the SUV’s well-known off-road capabilities, although I wouldn’t hit the trails with those 21-inch performance summer tires. In short, the Cayenne can do it all, and even offers a 7,700-lb (3,500-kg) towing capacity.

Alas, fuel consumption is not as amazing; given the nature of this beast, however, we figure that eco-driving in the Turbo S is futile, and our average speaks for itself: 19.2 L/100 km over the course of the week. But who cares about gas with a 550-hp truck?

The top-shelf Cayenne is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V8, which bolts out 550 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.