Porsche Cayenne Turbo 2018 review: snapshot

At $239,400 the Porsche Cayenne Turbo sits at the top of the range above the Cayenne S, and is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 pumping out no less than 404kW (542hp) across a narrow plateau from 5750-6000rpm, and 770Nm between 1960rpm and 4500rpm.

All models now feature an eight-speed ‘shift-by-wire’ ‘Tiptronic S’ auto transmission, with drive going to all four wheels courtesy of Porsche’s ‘Active Traction Management’ system.

Claimed 0-100km/h time is 4.1sec (3.9s with the optional Sport Chrono package), balanced by claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle of 11.9L/100 km (emitting 272g/km of C02 in the process).

As you’d expect in this part of the market the standard equipment list is solid, with the Cayenne Turbo featuring ‘smooth finish’ leather upholstery, cruise control, ‘LED Matrix’ headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers, dual zone climate control, privacy glass, 18-way electronically-adjustable ‘Adaptive Sports’ front seats with unique trim and fatter side bolsters, front and rear seat heating (ventilated front), twin dual-tube tailpipes, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, pedal faces in stainless steel, and metallic paint in any one of seven colours.

You can also expect remote central locking with ‘Keyless Go’, the twin digital instrument displays, heated multi-function sports steering wheel (with gearshift paddles), auto tailgate, ‘Adaptive Porsche Active Suspension Management, 21-inch alloys (in dark titanium with highly polished surfaces) including wheel arch extensions in the exterior colour, and ‘Porsche Communication Management’ (PCM) with the 12.3-inch screen controlling nav, phone and a 710-watt Bose ‘Surround Sound System’ with 14 speakers (including subwoofer).

Plus ‘Porsche Active Aero’ (with adaptive roof spoiler), scrolling LED indicators, exterior mirrors with kerb-view parking aid, ‘cross-brushed’ aluminium interior highlights, and Alcantara roof lining.