Porsche Cayenne (2010 - 2014) used car review

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By Andy Enright

Introduction

The Porsche Cayenne got off to a rough start in life. When it first arrived in 2002, few were delighted with its styling, many feeling that it tried to unsuccessfully transfer too many design cues from its sports cars onto an SUV. Then there was the backlash from many who felt that Porsche had no business making 4x4s and should instead stick to what it did best; namely making sports cars. Gradually, through sheer intensive development, the Cayenne won people over. The big win came in 2010 with the launch of the second-generation car which expressed its own identity far more articulately. Here's what to look for when tracking down a used example.

Models

5dr SUV (3.0 hybrid, 3.6, 4.8 petrol, 3.0, 4.8 turbodiesel [S, GTS, Turbo, Turbo S])

History

The second generation Cayenne made landfall in May 2010 with a line-up that comprised three petrol models; 300PS 3.6-litre V6 Cayenne, 400PS 4.8-litre V8 Cayenne S and 500PS 4.8-litre V8 Cayenne Turbo. These models were augmented by the popular 240PS 3.0-litre V6 Cayenne diesel and the specialist interest 380PS 3.0-litre V6 petrol/electric Cayenne S Hybrid. Take-up was strong right from the outset, but within a year, Porsche had started tweaking the range.

In April 2011, the Cayenne diesel saw its power output edge up to 245PS. At the same time, Porsche introduced a Powerkit that added 40PS to the already frantic Turbo model and also made a series of improvements to the S Hybrid, including the ability to drive on electric power from a cold start. The sporty Cayenne GTS was introduced a year later, a 420PS V8 petrol engine being paired with firmer suspension, a lower ride height and aggressive body styling.

The diesel range got a shot in the arm in September 2012 with the introduction of the potent 381PS twin turbo 4.2 V8 Cayenne S diesel, while the tail end of that year saw the Turbo S flagship introduced, a model packing some 550PS. The range was thoroughly updated in autumn 2014.

What You Get

As much as you can admire the old Cayenne for its technical prowess, it was nevertheless hard to get past its rather bulbous styling but Porsche is on a roll at the moment. We'll skip over the Panamera and move swiftly onto the latest Boxster and 911, the 918 hypercar and the second gen Cayenne, all amongst the best looking cars in their respective classes. The Cayenne matured really well. It's less physically imposing than the original car and that can only be a good thing, looking sleeker and more subtle and just more Porsche.

If the car looks more compact these days, you'll realise it's a bit of sophistry from the stylist's pen. Get inside and you'll find a good deal more space, thanks to this car's 60mm increase in length over the first generation models. Three adults can now sit easily across the back seat - though two would as usual be more comfortable - thanks to two things. First that the centre transmission tunnel is usefully low. And second that the rear seat can slide backwards by up to 160mm to prioritise legroom if you're not using all the boot capacity. As you'd expect, this seat can also recline (into three different positions) as well as split and fold (electrically if you pay extra, though even that system doesn't leave you with a completely level surface when everything's folded flat). Still, once you've dropped the seats, the 670-litre luggage bay's capacity is upped to a useful 1780-litres.

What You Pay

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What to Look For

Check for off-roading damage and kerbed alloys and make sure all of the electric functions work. Check for a fully stamped-up service record and do an HPI check to make sure the car you're looking at is legitimate. The hybrid drive system has proven as tough as old boots. Tyres are pricey, so do check that your Cayenne isn't in need of new boots. Inconsistently-worn tyres will also hint at alignment issues. Virtually all Cayenne models will pass through Official Porsche Centres so you can normally buy with confidence, albeit without expecting a screaming bargain. Avoid anything that's had too much in the way of aftermarket modification, as this is usually a first class way to lose your shirt on a Cayenne.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid) Front brake pads can be found for around £60 with rears retailing at £40. A replacement headlight pod costs around £500 while a front bumper is a reasonable £300.

On the Road

The Cayenne forged a reputation from day one as the best-handling of the big SUVs and the likes of the BMW X5 and the Range Rover Sport have been shooting at it ever since. Whether you choose the base diesel or the rorty Turbo S, you can expect a car that handles with tidy body control, a polished feel to the control weights and with responsive tractable engines. Were we to pick the highlights of the range, it would probably be either the sporty GTS or the quite lovely S Diesel. The latter's 4.2-litre twin-turbocharged V8 develops 381PS and a monstrous 850Nm of torque, driving through an eight speed automatic gearbox. If you need to do any towing, make sure whatever you're towing is firmly stowed, else things are going to be bouncing up the carriageway behind you when this thing takes off. The Cayenne S Diesel sprints to 62mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 157mph.

What's not so well known is that the Cayenne is also an absolute beast off-road. You'll probably want a 'beater' set of wheels and knobblier tyres if you plan to do this seriously, but the drive system and chassis is well up to the task. The diesel's permanent all-wheel drive system does a better job when things get really tough than the active all-wheel drive of the more powerful cars.

Overall

The Cayenne deserves credit as the car that saved Porsche from financial meltdown. The Weissach company needed the cash injection from markets such as the US to remain solvent and the Cayenne delivered. This car is more than just a financial expediency though. It developed into something very special and these post-2010 models are the used picks of choice. The base diesel will do most people just fine, but the real talent in the Cayenne chassis is unleashed when you dose it up a bit. Go for an S Diesel or a GTS and you'll really have a weapon. The Turbo and Turbo S models smack a little of overkill. As a used buy, it's proven very tough. Even the complex hybrid model has had a solid record of reliability. Demand is strong across the board though, so bargains may be hard to come by.