Let's start with what's good. Personally speaking, the Cayenne's styling has really grown on me. I wasn't one of the naysayers in the beginning, mind you, but I
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| The Cayenne's unique rounded styling has really grown on me. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
can't say it floored me like the Boxster and 911 do every time one passes by. I really like it from the front end, as it pulls all the positive design cues from the car lineup and somehow makes them work in a much taller vehicle. Sure, its rounded fuselage and ovoid derriere is a little sausage-like in comparison to the many boxy SUVs in competition, but to its credit it is unique in the category. As just mentioned, the Cayenne's on and off-road handling has always been stellar, as has its engine performance. Of course the Turbo version is quicker than the S, but the S is still faster off the line than the majority of rival SUVs. What's more, Porsche has recalibrated the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for even better initial performance. Where before it was merely quick, the S now rockets from standstill defying its rather substantial 2,245 kg (4,949 lb) curb weight. I especially like the steering wheel mounted shifter toggles, ideally placed at each side of the 9 and 3 o'clock spokes for easy up and down actuation by
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| The Cayenne's on and off-road handling has always been stellar, as has its engine performance. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
the thumbs. Shifts are quick for an automatic transmission, rowing through all 6 forward gears as fast as your fingers can push one of the buttons or slap forward the console mounted gear selector. But you don't have to have the gear level slotted in the manual-mode position to actuate manual-type shifts. Even if in Drive, a tap on the steering wheel controls automatically allows manual actuation. Unlike some sequential-shift automatics, however, the Cayenne's does not allow total manual control, but takes over shifting on behalf of the drive when the revs hit redline. It will also gear down on its own, even if in manual-mode, if the throttle is pressed to the floor. Personally, I think Porsche buyers would rather have full control of the transmission, unlike Volkswagen Touareg buyers who most likely appreciate the gearbox thinking on their behalf.
