  2009 Porsche Cayenne V6. Click image to enlarge |
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2009 Porsche Cayenne V6
Oshawa, Ontario – Back in 2002, when the first Porsche Cayenne rolled off the assembly lines, it seemed like the world had gone mad. One of the world’s most respected sports car manufacturers was making … a truck? Just what were these Germans smoking, anyway?
Some pretty good stuff, as it turned out. The Cayenne proved to be a smashing success, and gave Porsche some extra presence in driveways where the Boxster previously had to share space with whatever manufacturer supplied the SUV needed for hauling a crowd.
Having received a facelift for 2008, the Cayenne lineup entered 2009 with seven models, with a naturally-aspirated or a turbocharged V8 in most of them. My tester, however, was the entry level model known simply as the Cayenne, with a naturally-aspirated 3.6-litre V6. At a base price of $56,100, it is a viable option for many who would like to get into the brand, as all other Cayenne models run from $74,100 to $152,200.
The Cayenne (V6) may be 1.5 seconds slower getting to 100 km/h from a standstill against the next-step-up Cayenne S, but that heartbeat of time will cost you another $18,000. And this isn’t a low-slung chicane carver, but realistically, a 2,160-kilogram, top-heavy hauler. Which is not to say it doesn’t have sporty character, which it has in spades, but that there certainly shouldn’t be any shame in showing up at the country club with anything less than eight cylinders.
The base model comes with the expected list of standard features, including 12-way power seats, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, power liftgate, garage door opener, 17-inch alloy wheels and heated mirrors. But as with all Porsches, hold your breath when you’re filling out the option sheet: you could have purchased an entry-level subcompact for the extras that were added to my tester.
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at 8:04 am
As nice as the Cayenne is, i find those handles in the centre console awkard. Specially when you are driving the stick, does it actually get in the way? Or is it just me not knowning better?
at 1:09 am
I’m sure the materials are nice, but the design of the dash and center console belongs to that of a $15k vehicle. It’s quite laughable actually. I’m still puzzled how they managed to sell so many of these… With the beginning of the global housing bubble, the timing was definitely on their side.
at 4:36 pm
If another company besides Porsche tried to sell something this ugly, let’s ay with a Kia badge on it, the it would be a laughing stock. I agree with Jung, I have no idea how they sell them, I figured they would stop production after a year. I guess brand image is a powerful thing.
at 10:20 pm
Regardless of badge on the hood, i wouldn’t call this a ‘laughing stock’. Admittedly a plain design and this choice of color not particularly flattering but not ugly in my opinion. Also, the small wheels look out of place here, not filling the wells particularly well.. The Cayenne Turbo looks hot tho..
at 10:37 pm
Beauty is in the eye, but I love Porsches, always have. But every time I see one of these, I am reminded of some guy I saw years ago who took a firebird, and put the body on a truck chassis. Seems to be a 911 wagon, jacked up with a truck platform under it. They even stretch the nose down to meet the bottom. To each their own, but to me this has always looked like an idea that was never quite sorted out. They did the same thing with the Panamera, instead of coming up with an original look for a new product, they took their classic body, and stretched and pulled it into a new vehicle shape and said “there, we’re done”.
at 10:45 pm
I am wondering what virtue this vehicle has over let’s say a loaded V6 RAV4. Other than the Porsche badge, and better off road ability, which hardly counts to 99.99% of people buying either one. Performance is no better, nor fuel economy, reliability surely not, the folding rear seats are not even as well designed(no excuse for the head rest issue in a vehicle this price) without a Porsche badge, it is an over priced, under designed vehicle whose shortcomings would be more readily pointed out.
at 8:56 pm
Clearly none of the above posters has spent any serious time driving a Cayenne. The Porsch DNA is definitely there. Everyone I know who owns one loves it (whether base 6 or Turbo S), using them in our northern Alberta winters while their Boxster/911/GT2 is hibernating.