The Porsche Cayenne high-performance luxury SUV always has to prove something. Upon introduction, the Cayenne had to prove to the purists that it was a Porsche. Done. Then, the off-road crowd got up in arms over the Cayenne’s rock-crawling cred. Having won the grueling Transsyberia Rally a couple of times, that controversy has been put to bed. Now, it seems, there are some who are questioning whether the Cayenne should be considered a family vehicle. So it goes.
You would think that a single glance at the ultra-luxurious interior of the 2009 Porsche Cayenne would quell the furor, but no. One spouse gets suspicious when the other arrives with a new family wagon that just happens to be a Cayenne. What’s wrong with having a Transsyberia Rally winner in the driveway? How did this identity crisis develop?
Well, for one thing, observations like the following from the Detroit News do not help matters. “Drivers will sit inside their Cayennes, 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 backseats." This is all hypothetical because the 2009 Porsche Cayenne can be as docile as a minivan.
Fortunately, the reviewers at Forbes understand the domestic side of the Cayenne. "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)." Now that’s more like it!
The Porsche Cayenne's seating for a family of five is as practical as it 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. Indeed, reviewers appreciate the space and convenience in the 2009 Porsche Cayenne. The SUV offers 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. Now what family would quibble with that?
The kids are really going to love the rear-seat DVD entertainment system! To save money, there’s plenty of room for camping equipment so you don’t have to stay at those expensive resort hotels. Kids love camping, right?
By the way, the 2009 Porsche Cayenne is well equipped to take good care of your family. This vehicle has six standard airbags, hi-tech features like Porsche Stability Management and options such as Dynamic Curve Lights, which turn with the steering wheel for better visibility around corners, and Park Assist, which uses an acoustic signal and front/rear displays to warn of any obstacles at the front or rear of the vehicle. There’s a rearview camera available, too. That makes Cayenne family-friendly in our book.
The Cayenne’s protective capabilities are partially attributable to its mass. A Porsche Cayenne weighs between 4,762 and 5,191 pounds, so it has sufficient bulk to be reckoned with. This is why non-believers must realize that you need power in a vehicle of this stature. “Think of it as the family Porsche. There’s room inside for everyone including the dog,” said Motor Trend.
The base model uses a quite reasonable 3.6-liter 290-hp V6. The Cayenne S is not overpowered with a 4.8-liter 385-hp V8 engine. We can fully appreciate the power of a Cayenne GTS with its 4.8-liter 405-hp V8 engine. And in no way is the Cayenne Turbo excessive with its twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter 500-hp V8; besides, the turbos really don’t kick in if you use a light right foot. Even Motor Trend points out this fact. “Much of the magic of these engines is in Porsche's newly developed high-pressure common-rail direct-fuel-injection system and constantly adjusting variable valve control. On the road, the engine is smooth; easy driving is manageable until you put your foot into it and get above 2,500 rpm when the twin turbochargers kick in.”
The V8 in the Cayenne S, GTS and Turbo is paired with a six-speed Tiptronic S transmission, and the base comes standard with a six-speed manual with an optional Tiptronic automatic. Large 21-inch wheels are standard, as is Porsche’s very cool Sport Mode system, which lets the driver choose between comfort-oriented “Normal” or high performance “Sport” drivetrain and chassis settings.
The 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS is actually easy to drive. “…and easy to slip gracefully into three-digit speeds without those little hairs on the back of your neck standing up,” noted the Car and Driver reviewer. “Porsche says the GTS will get to 60 mph a couple 10ths quicker than the S model (in the high fives), but that's not why you'll be slobbering all over yourself. It's up in the middle ranges where second gear starts and third ends. That's where the excitement is. Roll the windows down and let it go. Claimed top speed is 157 mph. It's hardly a monumental declaration to say this is one of the best-handling, most-rip-roaring SUVs we've driven.”
The 2009 Porsche Cayenne will make a fine family wagon. Trust us on that one. You’re just going to love this SUV!
