AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR&SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 127P
orsche’s Cayenne — the
third generation, launched
in mid-2018 — starts at
$115,900. The base model runs
a 250kW 3.0-litre turbopetrol
V6, with an eight-speed auto
and permanent all-wheel drive,
in high range only.
A plug-in hybrid Cayenne,
priced at $135,600, is intended to
appeal to cashed-up fuel-misers.
The Cayenne S, from $154,700,
is powered by a 324kW 2.9-litre
twin-turbo V6 petrol engine,
shared with the Panamera sedan.
The fl agship Cayenne Turbo,
priced from $239,000, runs
a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with
404kW of power, also available in
the Panamera.
The Cayenne Coupe, with a
swoopier rear roofl ine, arrives in
early 2020.
It’s available with the 250kW
3.0-litre V6, at $128,400, and the
404kW 4.0-litre V8, at $254,000.
Only partial automatic
emergency braking is standard
on Cayenne, although it can
detect pedestrians and cyclists.
Radar cruise control and a more
advanced AEB system that will
bring the vehicle to a complete
stop is a $3790 option.
Lane keeping assistance that
steers the car within marked
lines is a $1390 option.
Notable safety omissions
include rear cross-traffi c alert
and camera-based speed sign
recognition.
Considering radar cruise control
and lane keeping assistance are
standard on a $26,000 Kia Cerato
sedan and rear cross traffi c alert
is fi tted to most newly introduced
SUVs priced from less than
$50,000, it’s a bit rich for these
features not to be standard on a
$116,000 Porsche.
Wireless phone charging
is also conspicuous by its
absence. Apple CarPlay, digital
radio and navigation can be
accessed via the high-resolution
12.3-inch touchscreen, but
Android Auto is not available.
A new sliding and tilting back
seat has increased both bootspace and rear legroom, but for
now there’s no prospect of a
seven-seat version.
The base Cayenne V6 with
standard suspension and
optional 21-inch wheels and
low-profi le tyres is a touch
jittery and noisy on back roads.
It would be quieter and more
comfortable on the standard 19-
inch wheel and tyre package.
That said, it steers with
incredible precision and the
body barely leans in corners.
It also has enough oomph to
warrant the Porsche badge.
Able to complete 0 to 100km/h
dash in just 6.1 seconds (on our
timing equipment, 0.1 better than
Porsche’s claim), it’s faster than
most hot hatches.
Surprisingly, the single-
turbo V6 kicks in at lower revs
than the twin-turbo V6 in the
Cayenne S, giving it slightly better
responsiveness when overtaking.
The Cayenne S lacks aural
character but with an as-tested
acceleration time of 5.1 seconds
(0.2 slower than claimed), it’smarginally quicker than the
original Cayenne Turbo V8.
Equipped with “three
chamber” air suspension
standard, the Cayenne S and
Turbo iron out bumps better
than the base model.
The fl agship Turbo is mind-
bogglingly quick: faster than
Porsche’s claim of 3.9 seconds
in the 0 to 100km/h dash. We
repeatedly stopped the clocks
in just 3.8 seconds — in both
directions on the same stretch of
tarmac to account for changes
in the road and weather — using
precision timing equipment.
The best number was actually
3.78 seconds — astounding for a
2.2-tonne SUV.By Joshua DowlingTHINGS WE LIKE
Impressive performance across all
models
Upmarket interior
Roomy cabin and boot
Sharp handling and precise
steering for a big SUV
High resale values
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Suspension a bit jittery on back
roads when equipped with larger
wheels and low-profi le tyres
Missing a long list of tech and
safety features standard on SUVs
that cost less than $50,000
Price is up there, even by luxury
standards
SPEX (S)
Made in Slovakia
2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol/eight-
speed automatic/all-wheel drive
324kW of power at 5700-6600rpm;
550Nm of torque from 1800-
5500rpm
0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds (claimed)
8.4L/100km highway;
11.8L/100km city; 98 octane
premium; CO2 emissions are
213gkm; fuel tank is 90 litres
Max towing weight: 3500kg
Warranty: Three years/unlimited
km
Standard: Ten airbags, stability
control, partial automatic
emergency braking, blind spot
monitoring, parking sensors,
360-degree camera, tyre pressure
monitoring, 20-inch alloys, turning
LED headlights, Bluetooth, Apple
CarPlay, navigation, voice control,
digital radio, 4 x USB sockets,
heated front seats, partial leather
upholstery, power tailgate
Redbook future values: 3yr: 62%;
5yr: 47%PORSCHE CAYENNE FROM $115,900
compare with ...
Audi Q8, BMW X5, Maserati
Levante, Mercedes GLESafety
Not yet tested
PerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for moneyOverallSTARS