Porsche Cayenne Review

Porsche set the world on edge in 2003 when it released its Cayenne SUV. No one was prepared for the midsize luxury vehicle that still drove like a gamey sports car. Unlike other luxury SUVs, Motor Trends noted in its Porsche Cayenne review, this car still had precision and gave loads of driver satisfaction.

Many SUV lovers were not impressed with the original "bellied" body style—more of an aesthetic concern than anything else was. The five-seat cabin, dual range all-wheel system, precise steering and quick brakes were quite appealing, though. It's also a big reason why a used Porsche Cayenne is still a very desirable car.

The 2011 model has definitely improved on the original. Nearly 400 pounds lighter and fuel efficient with an improved body style, the eight-speed automatic transmission has gears mounted on the wheel and comes in four different models: the base Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid. The company has dropped the Porsche GTS and Porsche Turbo S models (which had the most power in this lineup).

The gas/electric hybrid model is new to this line, but making a big impression on buyers. They hybrid achieves a gas economy of .in combined city/highway driving. This is better mileage than most four-cylinder sedans. In addition, when the driver removes his foot from the gas, the car automatically shifts to electric mode and is able to coast at high speeds.

The Auto-Stop feature in the new release is almost a showstopper. If the car is stopped for too long in traffic, the feature automatically shuts off the engine. Once the driver releases the brake, the car re-starts. In U.S. models, the driver must activate this function. In the European Cayenne, it is already activated until the driver disables it. This is a key selling point in the current world economy. The eight-speed transmission (formerly a six-speed) saves fuel by improving acceleration.

Customers have also bemoaned the fact that there are only two rows of seats with tight rear seat legroom and a small cargo area. The impressive gadgetry on the dash is also a big difficult to understand. Most buyers simply give up and keep them around for show rather than master the learning curve to make the gadgets functional.

Although the 2011 has not been crash tested, it maintains the car's inspiring safety features: Park Assist, Porsche Stability Management (which stabilizes the car in hazardous situations), Lane Change Assistant, Adaptive Cruise Control and Dynamic Curve Lights. It comes with a four-year 50,000-mile warranty.

One of the drawbacks against the Porsche Cayenne is its price tag. The base model starts at about $46,000 and - depending on options - can run up to $100,000. The hybrid model price is $67,700 - the most expensive for luxury SUVs on the market. As pricey as it is, though, the Cayenne has not failed to be Porsche's top sales performer since its debut. According to market research, more than 280,000 have been sold.

Some reviewers have noted that the Cayenne does not perform as well over rocks as some of its competitors. That is quite a disappointment considering all of the off-road hardware included in the 2011 series. Therefore, it may be fair to say that while this SUV has amazing speed, it handles rough terrain like a sports car: it struggles.

The closest competitor for the Cayenne is the Volkswagen Touareg. The two cars have the same platform. Because the Touareg starts at almost $6,000 less, many consider it a better buy than the Cayenne. Buyers who want seats that hug the body, a sleek, sporty body style and the fine reputation that comes with driving a Porsche, however, are willing to pay the extra money for the privilege.

I hope this Porsche Cayenne Review helps you decide on whether or not this great midsized SUV is right for you. It's a wonderful vehicle, but it does have its limitations