2011 Porsche Cayenne Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2016 Porsche Cayenne as a used buy. When sportscar maker Porsche entered the SUV market with the big Cayenne SUV in June 2003 many thought it would ruin the company's image. How wrong they were, the SUVs (there's also the smaller Porsche Macan) saved

When famed sportscar maker Porsche entered the SUV market with the Cayenne in 2003 many thought it could be the end of the marque. Doubters said Porsche 911 was the purest model in the German marque’s range and that diluting it could ruin the Porsche image. Yet, in many countries the Porsche Cayenne outsells the 911 and the pure sportscar’s sales certainly haven’t suffered.Porsche deliberately gave the Cayenne a family resemblance to the 911. Some have described it as looking like a 911 on steroids, saying the stylists have simply added 250 millimetres to the underfloor of a 911. We have to say that the design of the original Cayenne isn’t one of our favourites and it’s interesting to see the Series 2, launched in Australia in July 2010, has taken a different direction in style.The Cayenne Series 2 is larger than the original model, particularly in the back seat which provides comfortable space for two adults. The backrest can be adjusted for rake to further let you tailor your space. Luggage space is slightly more voluminous than before and can be significantly increased by sliding the back seat forwards to create extra length. Up to 160 mm of seat travel is available.Rather than pour huge amounts of money into the all-new Cayenne, Porsche collaborated with Volkswagen and Audi, so the Cayenne, Touareg and Q7 share some out-of-sight components. Unlike the other members of the team, who aimed for quality on-road cruisers with some off-road ability, Porsche leaned very much in the sports wagon direction. This big Porsche SUV has on-road dynamics that defy the bulk of this large wagon.The Porsche Cayenne S Series 2 no longer tries to be a full-on off-road vehicle; it doesn't have a two-speed transfer case to provide low range for extreme driving. That, and others changes have resulted in a mass reduction of about 12 per cent which not only makes it slightly nimbler, but also lowers fuel consumption and emissions.Cayenne was launched in Australia in June 2003 with a 4.5-litre petrol V8 in either naturally aspirated or turbocharged format. Even more power, 383 instead of 331 kW, arrived in a special version of this engine, called the Turbo S, in February 2006.New designs of V8s with a capacity of 4.8 litres were introduced in April 2007, again as turbo and non-turbo engines. A 3.6-litre petrol V6 became optional at the same time, though it doesn’t provide the exhilaration of the V8s it does have enough performance to suit some owners.A V6 turbo-diesel displacing 3.0 litres joined the range in April 2009. With plenty of torque, up to 550 Nm, it performs well and turbo lag isn’t too bad. Naturally fuel consumption is lower than on the the petrol V8s.An interesting hybrid option is offered in the Series 2 Cayenne S. This uses a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine and an electric motor. However, the Cayenne S hybrid costs significantly more than the equivalent Cayenne S in petrol format – and uses more fuel than the Cayenne turbo-diesel.The great majority of Australian imports have a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission. Some six-speed manuals were brought in, but these haven’t been big sellers and may prove unpopular when you come to trade up.Porsche has had a presence in Australia for many decades and runs an efficient dealer network. These focus on major population centres so if you have any problems out back o’ Bourke you might have to get the Cayenne trailered back to the big smoke. Not a cheap exercise.Many Cayennes will have been serviced by these Porsche dealers strictly by the book. We recommend these as used vehicles; you will probably be asked to pay more, but it’s money well spent. Follow this up by keeping to the same servicing routine and you will benefit at trade-up time.Insurance charges are higher than average, but not outrageously so considering the type of buyers attracted to Porsche Cayennes. You will find quite a difference on quotes so it’s worth shopping around. As always make sure you do accurate comparisons between companies.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck the interior for signs of rough usage, particularly in the back where bored kids can do a lot of damage. Make sure the engine starts easily and settles into a steady idle almost immediately.  The diesel isn’t quite as good as the petrol unit, but isn’t far behind them.The Porsche Cayenne has more off-road ability than you would expect, but few will have been bush bashing. If you do come across a used Porsche Cayenne that’s been on more than dirt roads it’s probably best to pass it up.Few Cayennes are used as heavy-duty towing vehicles, but if you inspect one for sale at a horse riding school, or similar, it might pay to ask a few questions.Cayennes with V6 engines were recalled in 2008 because of a possible fuel line problem that could lead to a fire. Check the problem has been rectified by talking to the seller. Or click on www.porschecars.com.au.Repairs can be expensive so make sure to get a quote on even apparently insignificant problems.CAR BUYING TIPSporting SUVs are likely to be driven harder than those bought as kid carters and probably have greatly accelerated wear rates as a result. 

The Porsche Cayenne S Series 2 is significantly different to the original in precisely the way we would expect from this iconic German sportscar maker.

BEAR Grylls wouldn't approve of the Porsche Cayenne. The tough “man's man” star of the TV show Man Vs Wild likes to conquer tough terrain with a blunt pencil, a piece of chewing gum and a sharp stick.The Porsche Cayenne doesn't conquer tough terrain with mechanical grip, but with a host of electronic aids.The result is the same in both cases: Bear and Porsche climb dizzying heights, inch down ravines and belly crawl through slime. We tested the V8 petrol Cayenne S which makes Bear's sinewy physique look sick. And it's more likely to be invited to civilised dinner parties than the bug-eating Bear.VALUEThe V8 Cayenne S at $147,900 sits in the middle of the range with prices from $103,500 for the V6 Cayenne right up to $239,900 for the Turbo V8. It would be wrong to compare prices with the VW Touareg which only comes in a diesel V6 at $75,990 even though the two share a chassis and a diesel engine.On the last Cayenne you could exchange the doors with the Touareg. Now, every panel is totally different and there is a lot more electronics and features in the Porsche. Plus the Porsche emblem has returned to its rightful place on the bonnet which adds value for those who care.You could also compare it with the luxury SUV benchmark BMW X5 ($134,000) or X6 ($149,000), the Mercedes-Benz ML 500 ($133,895), or Range Rover Sport ($138,900) or Vogue ($158,100). Audi's Q7 doesn't come in a V8 petrol model.TECHNOLOGYOodles of it. You only have to sit in the cockpit to see it. In fact, it is more like a plane's cockpit than a car driver's seat. There are 49 toggles, switches, knobs and buttons on the centre console, alone.But wait, there's more - 11 controls on the overhead light, four steering wheel stalks and the touch screen includes even more controls. In front of the driver are five instrument pods with so much technical information it's mind-boggling. Perhaps this display of technology is a slap-in-the-face reminder to the driver of what their hard-earned cash has bought.Apart from technical controls, the new Cayenne has achieved substantial fuel savings thanks to reduced friction in the engine and transmission, weight saving, low rolling resistance tyres, recuperative power from the brakes used to charge the battery, two overdriven gears on the eight-speed tiptronic with 50 per cent faster changes, and stop/start technology.DESIGNThe designers have tried hard to disguise the fact that it looks like a 911 with a gland problem. If you compare it with the previous model, it looks slightly less J-Lo with a new bumper and lighter one-piece tailgate design. But there is only so much you can do to disguise a big bottom.To take your attention off the bum, it has had a facelift with a longer bonnet featuring the prominent Porsche badge and the front air intake has been inverted from the previous smile to a menacing grimace.Inside, the Cayenne cabin is almost identical to the new Panamera, with its sloping centre console, cockpit-like clustered instruments and driver-oriented feel.SAFETYApart from the usual suite of safety features, Porsche added 65kg to the vehicle for structural safety as well as extra features. However, with weight savings elsewhere (103kg from body, 74kg from the chassis, 63kg from engine and 10kg from electrics), overall weight is down 250kg.Despite the lighter weight, the brakes in all models have been upgraded with larger discs for safer stopping. There is also a vast range of safety options available including lane-change assist and adaptive cruise control that operates down to 20km/h.DRIVINGOn the launch last year, the Cayenne performed all its electronic trickery on an off-road obstacle course.There are three modes for off-road driving. Mode 1 recalibrates electrical systems such as traction control and ABS for slippery terrain and in the air suspension models it raises ride height. Mode 2 locks the clutch and Mode 3 locks the rear diff. But for the sake of this test, we used the Cayenne S in its more typical environment - the suburban obstacle course.While it weighs over 2 tonnes and looks like a bloated cane toad, it doesn't feel big and cumbersome in the suburban shopping centre or trolling the city streets.With the “comfort” setting engaged on the suspension, it rides over potholes better than German luxury saloons and with the sport setting engaged it still hits its limits when punted hard, but those limits are extensive.There is a moment of impending understeer at turn-in, but a smooth and predictable flick to oversteer. It doesn't quite match the BMW X5/X6 for driver feel, feedback and that connected feeling with the road.One annoying trait is that the 265mm tyres tend to follow road camber so it constantly feels like it's pulling to the left unless you are in the right lane on a double carriageway; then it pulls to the right. Road noise is substantially reduced which turns your attention to the wind noise around the wing mirrors and bottom of the windscreen.The cockpit may be like a fighter jet, but it doesn't feel right. My main complaint is the absence of the usual audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel because Porsche wants a traditional, simple look.The cruise control stalk is handy, but different to almost every other type I've used and difficult to get used to. Cruise also had difficulty staying on the selected speed even on minor hill gradients. I felt uncomfortable in the stiff leather seats and the claustrophobic footwell where my right size 11 hoof kept getting caught on the carpet bump next to the throttle.The stop-start function felt a little rough and intrusive in crawling traffic. It also momentarily switches off the audio as the vehicle restarts. In Europe, the stop-start function defaults to the switched-on position. In Australia the driver must select it which suits me. It then defaults to whatever setting it was on when the engine was last switched off.VERDICTYou pay for the badge, but at least it's now back on the bonnet. After all this is a powerful, look-at-me pavement poseur. Surprisingly it's also a good off-roader thanks to electronic trickery.KEY FACT: Porsche says only 20 per cent of Cayenne SUV owners ever take them off road.ALPHABET SOUPThe new Cayenne comes with a host of acronyms. Here are the major ones -PTV plus: Porsche Torque Vectoring that brakes inside wheels and varies power delivery via an electronically controlled differential on the rear axle in corners. It helps prevent understeer, endemic in most SUVs. It is optional on the Cayenne, S and Turbo.PDCC: Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control is a hydraulic system that operates active anti-roll bars to keep the body flat in corners. It is standard on the Turbo and available as an option on all air suspension models.PTM: Porsche Traction Management system in active form on the Cayenne, S and Turbo uses an electronic clutch to distribute up to 100 per cent of torque to either the front or rear wheels. In reactive form in the Diesel and S Hybrid, PTM splits torque up to 40 per cent to the front and 60 per cent to the rear.AT A GLANCEPorsche Cayenne SPrice: from $147,900Warranty: 3 years, unlimited km, 12 years body corrosionResale: 68%Service interval: 12 months, or 20,000 KMEconomy: 10.5L/10km; 245g/km CO2Safety: six airbags, traction and stability control, ABSCrash rating: Nil. Meets or exceeds legislated requirementsTECHNICALEngine: 4.8-litre 294kW/500Nm V8 petrolTransmission: 8-speed tiptronic with stop/startBody: 5-door, 5-seater wagonDimensions: 4846mm (L), 1939mm (W), 1705mm (H), 2895mm (WB)Weight: 2065kgTyres: 265/50 R19, space-saver spare