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Porsche Cayenne - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne ranks 6 out of 15 Luxury Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 31 published reviews and test drives of the Porsche Cayenne, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Cayenne has one of the most luxurious interiors of the class, great performance capabilities and good off-roading skills, but its steep sticker price might give some buyers pause. For more affordable alternatives, you'll have to sacrafice the Porsche name and performance. Consider the Volkswagen Touareg and Lexus RX 350.

As you'd expect, the 2009 Porsche Cayenne is a thoroughbred. It delivers top-notch performance and offers a lengthy list of standard and optional features, enough safety features to keep any worry-wart appeased, and plenty of the Porsche cachet and style that aficionados relish and wannabes crave.

The Cayenne's biggest shortfall is definitely its price. The fact is, in this era of coupon-clipping, few car shoppers have the money to swing on the high payments or fill-ups associated with this class of car. But if you can justify its pricing, auto reviewers agree the Cayenne is one of the most powerful and plush luxury midsize SUVs.

The 2009 Cayenne underwent considerable modifications last year, and gets still a few more changes for 2009. It's still offered in numerous trims -- the base model, the S, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S. The optional Porsche Communication Management interface gets a touchscreen and the optional navigation system is now hard-drive-based. Satellite radio is a new option.

• "Cayenne is a unique take on the SUV formula, emphasizing sport way more than utility. What else from Porsche?" -- Consumer Guide
• "If you're willing to pay the price for the premium equipment ... Cayenne really does take some remarkable steps forward." -- Forbes
• "Ultimately, anyone willing to pay top dollar for a top-of-line vehicle will get his or her money's worth. Drivers will sit inside their Cayenne, encased in beautiful leather, listening to premium sound and confident that if they need to, they could hit 160 mph. And even at those speeds, the cabin is quiet enough to hear the gasps from the back seats." -- Detroit News
• "It may spit in the face of Porsche's sports car heritage, but the 2009 Porsche Cayenne is a brilliantly engineered and thoroughly competent SUV for families on the (rapid) move." -- Edmunds

Cayenne Performance - 8.2 (Very Good)

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne is just as heavy as it looks, but test drivers find it still has the moves. Its drivetrain is more than prepared to amble the SUV along, and the Cayenne's sophisticated chassis keeps it composed on the road. Favorite features include the Cayenne's off-roading capabilities, helped by the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system, and the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) system, which helps improve stability.  continue

Cayenne Exterior - 7.8 (Good)

The subtle changes made to the Cayenne in the 2008 model year are still positively received by most auto writers. The Detroit News notes, "The changes are hardly noticeable at first glance, but somehow they make the Cayenne look cleaner and smarter without sacrificing its strong Porsche lines." continue

Cayenne Interior - 8.2 (Very Good)

Critics love the Cayenne's posh five-seat cabin, and determine some of its standout features include its ultra-spacious second-row seating and the power tailgate. "Fit and finish, especially with the optional wood or metallic accent packages, is excellent, and the front seats are firmly supportive," according to Edmunds. To some, the Cayenne's biggest flaw is that its complex gadgetry takes getting used to. continue

Cayenne Safety - NA

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne has not been crash tested, but offers impressive advanced safety systems like Porsche Stability Management, Dynamic Curve Lights and Park Assist that should offer a sense of security. continue

Cayenne Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Cayenne comes with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty that includes powertrain coverage. continue