2013 Porsche Cayenne: Something For Everyone

Despite all of the criticism initially levelled by purists, the Porsche Cayenne has been a master stroke by the Stuttgart-based manufacturer since it was introduced 10 years ago. This mid-size SUV has contributed immensely to Porsche’s profitability and markedly increased the brand’s sales figures. Many other manufacturers have since created their own sporty SUVs, and over that period Porsche has developed multiple configurations of its Cayenne in order to broaden its clientele.

Although every Cayenne comes with guaranteed prestige for its owner, they don’t all have the same character or price. The price ranges from $57,500 to a whopping $166,600. Any way you slice it, there’s a Cayenne for (almost) all budgets. We recently test drove three versions, which gave us the opportunity to get to know all of the Cayenne’s subtleties.

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Gas and diesel

Without question, the bestseller is the basic Cayenne, equipped with a 3.0-litre direct injection V6 that produces 300 horsepower. A mere 7% of Canadian buyers opt for the six-speed manual gearbox, and understandably so. Although attractively priced, it doesn’t really offer greater fuel economy or make it more fun to drive. The eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox is the one to choose. This Cayenne makes the brand accessible to many at a more reasonable price, but don’t expect it to be the most brutish of all Porsches. You get the logo and little else. For some, however, that’s enough.

This year, in order to better compete with its German rivals, the Cayenne is finally offered with a diesel engine. Its 3.0-litre six-cylinder TDI has been borrowed from Audi/Volkswagen and makes the vehicle slightly more powerful. The main advantage of this drivetrain is its performance: it is similar to that of the gas-powered V6, but with reduced fuel consumption. During our test drive, we recorded an average of 8.2 L/100 km, which is excellent for this type of vehicle.

It’s too bad that it doesn’t have the Start/Stop system like on the other versions, as fuel economy would have been even better. Unfortunately, the price of the diesel version is a lot higher than the gasoline version, which will turn more than one potential buyer away. On the other hand, this version offers a little more standard equipment. Conversely, Mercedes-Benz is selling the diesel version of its ML for less than its gas-powered version, so it’s no surprise that nearly 70% of buyers are opting for the diesel.

The Cayenne S ranks a little higher on the performance scale thanks to its 400-hp V8. This is without a doubt the most balanced Cayenne both in terms of power and price. We like its spirit and slightly edgier style compared to the base versions.

As for the Cayenne GTS, it has the same genes as the Cayenne S, but with a tad more power. It features more exterior sportiness and exclusive colours, as evidenced by our Peridot Green Cayenne GTS (check out the photo). This is a version aimed at purists who prefer naturally-aspirated engines. There’s also the Cayenne S hybrid, but we won’t get into that. In our view, sporty hybrid SUVs aren’t all that interesting, as their higher price rarely justifies their lower fuel consumption.

Now for the outrageous

If the aforementioned horsepower isn’t sufficient or if you simply want to show off an even more exclusive version, you can opt for the Cayenne Turbo: it’s a veritable beast with its twin-turbo V8 and 500 horses. This unusual SUV’s performances are similar to those of the manufacturer’s cars, only this time, you’ll be able to take four friends along for the ride! Logic would suggest that this fourth version should be at the top of the line, but since Porsche tends to defy logic, it is offering the Cayenne Turbo S, an absolute rocket that pushes the envelope even further with its 550 horses.

With 550 horses and 553 lbs-ft of torque beginning at 2,250 rpm, the Cayenne Turbo S can go from 0-100 km in a mere 4.8 seconds and its rich sound will give you the shivers. The most impressive thing is not so much its acceleration from a dead stop, but the sheer power delivered by this twin-turbo engine at higher speeds. It never seems to run out of steam. Despite weighing more than 5,000 pounds, there’s little weight transfer in sportier conditions thanks to its well-adapted sport suspension and large tires.

Sophisticated lines

Style-wise, the Cayenne now sports sleeker, more sophisticated lines than in the past. Its rims are the key to its sportiness, along with its wide (40.5 mm wider) wheelbase that plants it firmly on the road. The latest generation can also boast that it’s 48 mm longer overall. The loading capacity is the main beneficiary of this increased size. The headlights have been re-worked, thereby giving the vehicle a more modern look thanks to new strips of LED lighting. The result is very stylish.

Inside, the environment is rich and the level of sophistication will catch you by surprise time and again. You feel like you’re in an exceptional SUV. The central console, however, features enough buttons and controls to confuse any fan. The good news, though, is that Porsche had the excellent idea of giving it the overall ergonomics and style of the Panamera. What style! It still has grab handles on either side of the console, which bridges the generational gap between it and the previous versions.

Always attractive, the Cayenne is among the best Porsche has to offer, with superior performance and a more practical size. Our main complaint? The list of options is both long and pricey!