2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Review

Brakes
Little is said about the brakes on a car, because they are usually adequate and not very glamorous. Porsche however, puts gigantic discs at all four corners and uses large six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers in the rear. These brakes will haul you down from any speed you happen to be traveling at very quickly. If the stock system doesn't suit you, there is an optional ceramic rotor package that is even more impressive. Cost for that option is about $9,000. I've had this package on other Porsches I've tested and this option is well worth the money.

Daily Driving
When I wasn't out being an idiot, the Cayenne was actually a great vehicle to drive. The heated seats were comfortable with great support. Rear-seat space was nearly as good as the front and luggage space was good enough for the weekly grocery shop. Just for a giggle, I put four hockey bags in the back. Since everything fit, I concluded that that the Cayenne is a practical vehicle to have. All I have to do is figure out how to make the payments.

The stereo takes a bit of getting used to, but this is definitely a luxury car.

All the horsepower stories are memorable because of the adrenalin produced, but could you live with this vehicle day to day? To that I have to answer yes, as easily as you can live with any other SUV/CUV. The leather interior is well laid out. Switches and gauges are all visible and within reach. The stereo takes a bit of getting used to, but this is definitely a luxury car.

To keep the car tractable, there is a long throttle tip-in so that you have excellent control at lower rpm and therefore, boost and power do not come up suddenly.

Transmission
The six-speed manumatic does have a low range if you do want to go off-road and with the camel suspension (height-adjustable and the back end goes up or down first like a camel). Off-road, the Cayenne is one of the best there is and at the other end of the scale, it is one of the most comfortable on the road and can pull a pretty decent-sized trailer (Airstream, of course).

Conclusion
On-road or off, there is no doubt this is a Porsche and at $156,000, you will be getting your money's worth!

Base price $150,400. As tested; $156,435


Photo Credit : Charles Renny, Luc Gagné