MSRP: $44,600 - $123,600
Invoice: $37,910 - $105,060
MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores

Overall:8.2
Performance:8.3
Exterior:7.8
Interior:8.2
Safety:NA
Reliability:7.0
Research we analyzed for this review

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Interior - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Porsche Cayenne is comfortable, with reasonable cargo room and outstanding build quality and materials. The biggest problem reviewers can find with the luxury SUV is that it's so fully loaded and so fancy that it could take some time for drivers to familiarize themselves with the controls placement and available features.

  • "The Cayenne's interior provides what one expects of a traditional SUV: lots of room for outboard passengers, a high seating position with a commanding view of the road and a generous cargo bay that can hold a little more than 19 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats up (even more with the rear seats folded forward)." -- Forbes
  • "With a 911-style instrument cluster (meaning large, clear gauges) and left-side ignition switch, the Cayenne's interior is all Porsche. Sadly, this means that the climate and audio controls are comprised of many small, look-alike buttons that take some getting used to. Otherwise, materials quality is superb, as every major surface feels worthy of a vehicle with such a large price tag, right down to the richly carpeted footwells." -- Edmunds
  • "As expected at this price level, Cayenne's interior is impeccably assembled with top-notch materials." -- Consumer Guide
  • "Materials quality is superb -- every major surface feels worthy of a vehicle with such a large price tag, right down to the richly carpeted footwells. As you add things like extended leather and an Alcantara headliner, that quality improves even more. Fit and finish, especially with the optional wood or metallic accent packages, is excellent, and the various front seat designs are all supportive yet comfortable." -- Edmunds

Seating

The Porsche Cayenne's seating for five is luxurious. Reviewers like the SUV's supple leather material and also praise the cushions' lateral support. Several others highlight the roomy area for three passengers in the rear row.

  • "Ample headroom and generous seat travel. Excellent lateral support, though seat bottoms may pinch some physiques." -- Consumer Guide
  • "Front seats are large and well-bolstered for lively driving. The center of the back seat is too stiff for comfort, but there's a fold down center armrest with cupholders." -- MSN
  • "Thanks to very long rear doors, access to the roomy rear seat is ample. Front seats are comfortable, very supportive in the bends, and highly adjustable. Carpet, headliner and pillar trim materials are all top-shelf." -- Forbes
  • "The rear seats are roomy in terms of leg and head room but the bottom cushion is mounted rather low. However, though it negates a good outward view, in this case the low hip point doesn't compromise thigh support." -- Autobytel

Interior Features

The Cayenne comes with base standard features including a 12-speaker CD player, leather seats, and a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. The higher trims boast automatic climate control, Bose Surround Sound Stereo and an automatically heated steering wheel. Testers find the Cayenne is laid out in typical Porsche opulence. But some worry the buttons and features could be overwhelming to a first-time Porsche owner.

  • "Five silver-edged dials in an attractive overlapping motif succinctly convey critical information on the dash. The tach runs to 8,000 rpm, the speedometer has a maximum reading of 180 mph, and there's a handy turbo boost gauge at the far right position." -- Forbes
  • "In proper Porsche fashion, the ignition lock is placed to the left of the steering column, while the instrument faces have the no-nonsense look of a sports model." -- Kelley Blue Book
  • "Dashboard has lots of buttons, conveys lots of information, and requires pre-drive familiarization -- especially with the navigation system. Small audio buttons contrast with large, simple toggles for climate, suspension, and transfer-case adjustments." -- Consumer Guide
  • "Glance at the Cayenne's center stack with the intention of changing a radio station, adjusting cabin temperature, or programming the navigation system and the daunting array of small buttons with even smaller and sometimes enigmatic markings." -- Autobytel

Cargo

Reviews are generally positive regarding the space and convenience of the 2009 Porsche Cayenne's trunk. The SUV offers approximately 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space and a total load capacity of 1,731 pounds in the base model (with manual transmission), 1,841 pounds in the Cayenne S and up to 1,598 pounds in the Cayenne Turbo. Folding the rear seats expands total load space to as much as 62.5 cubic-feet.

  • "The spacious cargo area can be made even roomier by folding the rear seats entirely forward. A standard power hatch moves up and down fairly quickly." -- MSN
  • "With rear seats up, the Cayenne accommodates a substantial 19 cubic feet of cargo, but unlike several other European luxury SUVs there is no third-row option." -- Kelley Blue Book
  • "Good with rear seat up, but not expansive for an SUV. ... Center-console storage is generous, but there's not much other room for small items." -- Consumer Guide
  • "Rear seat comfort is mediocre, however, and maximum cargo capacity, at 62.5 cubic feet, is on the small side for a midsize luxury SUV." -- Edmunds
Review Last Updated: 11/5/09