Ultimate family wagon
Ergonomically, the Cayenne has few shortcomings. It offers more-than-adequate space for five adults, and getting in and out is easy; you can even drop the suspension in a “kneel” mode so the ladies can wear skirts while entering and exiting the Cayenne gracefully.
There’s quite a few buttons, of course, but everything is pretty well laid out. Huge wheel-mounted audio controls make your thumbs look like your little fingers, while the touch-screen navigation system is easy to operate. A power tilt and telescoping wheel and a multi-adjustable seat allow the admiral of the ship to find a great driving position. Build quality is beyond reproach, as it should be.
There’s also lots of room for Rover (not the Range kind...), although you might want to get him a rubber cargo area mat or something so he doesn’t get hair all over the thick carpet. Fold down the seats and you get 1,770 litres of cargo space, which is pretty decent.
Competition
The 2009 Cayenne Turbo S has a base price of $150,400, and out test vehicle is also equipped with XM radio ($1,090), the Light Comfort Package ($840), floor mats ($200), a trailer hitch ($860), a power sunroof ($1,630) and rear-window sunscreens ($260), for a total of $155,280. For those who can live with only 500 horses, Cayenne Turbo costs $31,500 less; according the Porsche Canada’s sales figures, though, the Turbo S is a stronger seller. Go figure.
But despite the asking price, the Cayenne Turbo S has options that we think should be included as standard equipment: intelligent key, rear view camera, a 6-CD changer and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Those four options add another $5,620 to the bill, but then again who’s counting?
Who are the Turbo S’ rivals? Well, the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG offers 503 horsepower and starts at $97,500, and BMW has a pair of 555-hp SUVs: the $97,900 X5 M as well as the $99,900 X6 M. The 510-hp Range Rover Supercharged is also one of the Cayenne’s adversaries and starts at just over $110,000.
Ergonomically, the Cayenne has few shortcomings. It offers more-than-adequate space for five adults, and getting in and out is easy; you can even drop the suspension in a “kneel” mode so the ladies can wear skirts while entering and exiting the Cayenne gracefully.
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| Huge wheel-mounted audio controls make your thumbs look like your little fingers. |
There’s quite a few buttons, of course, but everything is pretty well laid out. Huge wheel-mounted audio controls make your thumbs look like your little fingers, while the touch-screen navigation system is easy to operate. A power tilt and telescoping wheel and a multi-adjustable seat allow the admiral of the ship to find a great driving position. Build quality is beyond reproach, as it should be.
There’s also lots of room for Rover (not the Range kind...), although you might want to get him a rubber cargo area mat or something so he doesn’t get hair all over the thick carpet. Fold down the seats and you get 1,770 litres of cargo space, which is pretty decent.
Competition
The 2009 Cayenne Turbo S has a base price of $150,400, and out test vehicle is also equipped with XM radio ($1,090), the Light Comfort Package ($840), floor mats ($200), a trailer hitch ($860), a power sunroof ($1,630) and rear-window sunscreens ($260), for a total of $155,280. For those who can live with only 500 horses, Cayenne Turbo costs $31,500 less; according the Porsche Canada’s sales figures, though, the Turbo S is a stronger seller. Go figure.
But despite the asking price, the Cayenne Turbo S has options that we think should be included as standard equipment: intelligent key, rear view camera, a 6-CD changer and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Those four options add another $5,620 to the bill, but then again who’s counting?
Who are the Turbo S’ rivals? Well, the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG offers 503 horsepower and starts at $97,500, and BMW has a pair of 555-hp SUVs: the $97,900 X5 M as well as the $99,900 X6 M. The 510-hp Range Rover Supercharged is also one of the Cayenne’s adversaries and starts at just over $110,000.
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| The 2009 Cayenne Turbo S has a base price of $150,400. |