Comments on: 2008 Porsche Cayenne Review

By: Robert Farago

Robert Farago — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:35:29 +0000

Unless it isn’t.

By: ex007

ex007 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:06:35 +0000

I’m not sure I understand the Cayenne criticism. It is an SUV … and a pretty dang good one at that. No, it’s not a sports car. But all of you who complain that Cayenne owners will never take it off road, how many of you have taken your 911s or Caymans on the track? How many of you have actually driven your Porsche faster than 100 mph … for extended periods of time? I owned a C4 and had the pleasure of regularly “cruising” the autobahn at 150 mph. Now, I have a family and live in the snowbelt. A C4 isn’t practical, so now I have a Cayenne. Add in the fact that Porsche has made a enough money on these to keep the company not only in the black but expand its holdings in VW, and I think Cayenne has been good for Porsche.

By: chamar

chamar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:44:38 +0000

looks like every tom dick and harry wants every car company to build ecno-boxes who’s entire fame to existance is some questionable fuel ratings.

Cars like This one, Land Rover, Explorer will always have a segment, may just not be 52% of the total car & Truck sales

By: driving course

driving course — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:27:07 +0000

Beetlebug makes a very good point… I have to confess I was a hater until I was driven in one of the more powerful versions – it changed my view – an incredible piece of automotive engineering.

By: Wolven

Wolven — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:37:08 +0000

Because otherwise, cash cow or not, the Cayenne makes no sense.

Ah… once again, the anti SUV bias rises to the surface.

It DOESN’T MATTER that it EXCELS at what it was designed for…

It DOESN’T MATTER that it is better ON THE ROAD than 90% of all cars…

It DOESN’T MATTER that it makes Porsche a shit load of money…

It’s an SUV and therefore the green weenies HATE IT… What ignorant communist dweebs.

By: whatdoiknow1

whatdoiknow1 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:44:42 +0000

While I myself am not the biggest SUV 4×4 fan in the world I do understand them and actually envy the folks that have a real use for them.
Anyone that is going to take their Cayenne off-road will get a big thumbs up from me!

The only folks I have ever heard call the Cayenne ugly were in capable of seeing it for what it is; an SPORT UTILITY/ACTIVITY VEHICLE. Sexy and beautiful dont relly cut it on the trail. Is a Wrangler beautiful to look at?

Now if Prosche would make friends with VW/ Audi again and get the TDI V10 for the Cayenne………

By: EJ_San_Fran

EJ_San_Fran — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:27:55 +0000

With a ground clearance of only 8.5 inches you’re still going to get stuck in places where pickup trucks pave the way.
So you’ll need the adjustable air suspension.

By: akatsuki

akatsuki — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:59:33 +0000

So they made a dirt racing car on stilts? Then the appropriate competition should be rally cars like the Evo and STI.

As for those that complain about the styling, speaking as a Porsche owner, they aren’t all that attractive to begin with. They are like jelly-beans. But their overall balance is what makes them superior cars (and is why the Cayman is superior to the 911).

By: David Holzman

David Holzman — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:21:39 +0000

@danms6:

saying its one of the most attractive SUVs on the road is like saying the snickers is one of the most nutritious candy bars.

And actually it’s not. The old CRV is much more attractive (I don’t like the new one though). The Cayenne is C grade styling. If I’m going to buy a Porsche, I expect A grade.

By: danms6

danms6 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:39:38 +0000

I guess I’m not understanding some of the hatred for the Cayenne. Sure it looks fugly by Porsche standards but it’s still one of the most attractive SUVs on the road. As far as design goes, it is the off-road 911.

Whether SUVs are in fashion or not, it is a well-executed vehicle that excels at what it was engineered to do.

By: casper00

casper00 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:18:38 +0000

never like the Cayenne design/look…..feelings havn’t change towards it….

By: hondagirl

hondagirl — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:14:37 +0000

Well, I think most of us agree that the Cayenne sucks. The good news is that with SUVs going out of fashion, it’s days are likely numbered.

By: David Holzman

David Holzman — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:32:52 +0000

As someone who thinks motor vehicles do not belong off road, I’m just as happy most Cayenne owners are poseurs. Humans have appropriated enough of creation without this.

The Cayenne is one plug-ugly vehicle. Not as bad as the Caliber, but the fact that it can even be compared is a blot on this otherwise noble marque.

By: bbscan

bbscan — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:11:00 +0000

colored me surprised…looking at them I would have no idea they could even go in a gravel parking lot.

By: SD

SD — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:12:13 +0000

Funny: there’s a porshe ad on the side – but for a cayman…

By: Mike Solowiow

Mike Solowiow — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:12:41 +0000

@drifter,

but the minivans can’t go offroad like the Cayenne, and the Cayenne is the ONLY luxury SUV to offer a manual transmission, which is way beyond cool.

By: Skooter

Skooter — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:26:41 +0000

Fat and ugly. Sounds like a perfect date!

By: James2

James2 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:53:15 +0000

4949 pounds?!?

A few “engineers” ought to be shot.

By: willbodine

willbodine — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:04:13 +0000

Oink! No wonder they call ‘em Porkers.

By: whatdoiknow1

whatdoiknow1 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:27:58 +0000

Now I will be fair and admit that the majority of Cayenne will spend their entire life on paved roads and streets but I have seen quite a few being used for “sport utility”. I have seen Cayenne towing trailers, I have seen Cayennes on beaches, I have seen Cayennes in camp grounds, and I have seen a few venture places were all of us other drivers (including Tahoes and Subi Outbacks) could NOT!

For the well-to-do Porsche fans that do enjoy a active lifestyle the Cayenne makes for a very useful vehicle. Sometimes you do need more than a Boxster or 911 but you have absolutely zero need OR DESIRE for a limited use full sized S-class or 7 series. Who wants to put a roof rack on an s550? Exactly who many E-class benzs or 5 series BMWs do you see with trailers attached to them headed for the country?

So we have a choice here. 5000+lbs, poor milage, limited useful room, and about 2″ of ground clearance in an uber sedan or 5000+lbs, poor mileage, a hatchback, folding rear seats, REAL 4WD, damn near a 12″ of ground clearance, a trailer hitch, and a roof rack. Somehow the Cayenne makes a whole lot more sense than a lot of other glorified chariots on the road today.

By: gakoenig

gakoenig — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:07:28 +0000

What were the exact options this Cayenne was equipped with?

I heard that it became an amazing offroader with the $3,000 “off-road technology package,” but I am curious as to what a stripper Cayenne can do without ticking any of Porsche’s famously painful option boxes.

Something about this (and the X5) appeals to me massively. Aside from the pain at gas stations, these sound like the ultimate road trip vehicles. Comfortable, competent on pavement and ready to take almost anything that might be thrown at them.

By: romanjetfighter

romanjetfighter — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:29:29 +0000

Wasn’t there a report that Porsche is planning something based on the Golf? More brand dilution to come.

VW/Audi both have prettier interiors for less money. And the VW comes in that V10 diesel! Drool…

By: Mike Solowiow

Mike Solowiow — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:15:38 +0000

@whatdoIknow,

If only we could tell between the poseurs and the enthusiasts… oh wait, you can by the mud on the SUV’s, and the sticks in the Corvettes. Nice to know others share my perspective…

By: rcolayco

rcolayco — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:10:05 +0000

Hello there, RF!

Your instructions to Mike Solowiow prior to his test drive were spot-on, and reminds me that one doesn’t often get the sort of independence and (more important) INSIGHT that TTAC provides, from other motoring journals.

More power!

By: netrun

netrun — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:59:22 +0000

So is it better or worse than the BMW X6 (or whatever that 5,000 lb monstrosity is called)? If I remember right, the Cayenne certainly isn’t cheaper.