2018 Porsche Cayenne first pressure overview: it’s a winner

2018 Porsche Cayenne first drive review

© Porsche

Porsche has been promoting SUVs for 15 years, and the latitude Rover-rivalling Cayenne is now a firm fixture within the Stuttgart brand's line-up – promoting 770,000 contraptions global. The more fresh Macan SUV now outsells the 911 roughly three to 1.

revealed at this year's Frankfurt Motor reveal, the third-technology Cayenne shares a shortened edition of the VW group's MLB platform, which underpins the newest Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga.

First impressions © Porsche 2018 Porsche Cayenne first force assessment

whereas the newest Cayenne is all-new, you may additionally combat to identify the adjustments at the start glance. It's marginally longer than its predecessor, and just a little decrease, but you'd be difficult pushed to tell the change without parking them facet by way of aspect.

It's unmistakably a Porsche, even though. the top and tail lights might have been lifted straight from the Panamera, while the chunky grille and bonnet scream "get out of my means".

The Porsche Cayenne has under no circumstances been a looker and while, in our eyes, it's nevertheless no longer alluring, it's on no account as offensive because it once changed into. And it definitely turns heads, which you may see as a good if you're seeking to spend up to £one hundred,000 on a Porsche SUV.

© Porsche 2018 Porsche Cayenne first force evaluate all through our two-day force on the Greek island of Crete, it attracted beeps, waves and thumbs-up far and wide it went. and not simply because of our driving. Will it get the equal response in the UK? We'll get back to you on that.

There's no scarcity of artful elements we can inform you concerning the new Cayenne. New surface-covered brakes, usual on the rapid, use discs covered in tungsten-carbide to deliver the hefty Cayenne to a stop in a shorter distance.

They also final longer and produce less brake dust. The rapid even comes with a clever adaptive spoiler that operates in five distinctive positions: including as an airbrake right through heavy deceleration.

First seat © Porsche 2018 Porsche Cayenne first drive evaluation

aside from the further room and multiplied seating place, you might nearly be sitting within the latest Porsche Panamera in the event you get within the Cayenne. And, as the Panamera has one among best interiors of any car on sale, that certainly isn't a criticism.

Even probably the most fundamental Cayenne feels utterly upmarket. lots of the buttons that cluttered up the important console of its predecessor were changed by using a tremendous 12.three-inch HD monitor. The few buttons that are left are hidden at the back of a chic black panel, offering haptic remarks corresponding to an iPhone for those who use them. Even the air vent controls consider smartly made.

© Porsche 2018 Porsche Cayenne first pressure overview There's numerous space for storing, too – the door containers will accommodate a 1.5-litre bottle, while a generous glove compartment will dangle the entire paraphernalia that goes with family unit lifestyles. children in the lower back gained't whinge in regards to the area on offer, either, whereas a beneficiant quantity of adjustment in the rear seats ability each person can be capable of get comfy. sure, here is a Porsche that you could purchase with a guilt-free moral sense if you're a father or mother.

We like the not obligatory panoramic sunroof, which is founded additional forward than before, with a front area that operates as a normal tilt/slide roof. It does a commendable job of brightening up the cabin – not that it's peculiarly dismal to start with.

First power © Porsche 2018 Porsche Cayenne first power evaluate

There are three versions of the Cayenne attainable from launch: the general V6 faster, the V6 twin-faster Cayenne S and the latitude-topping V8 twin-turbo Cayenne, er, faster. Diesel and plug-in hybrid types will observe subsequent year.

Even the entry-level (if you can describe a £56,000 Porsche as 'entry-level') Cayenne is outstanding to force. not simplest does the turbocharged V6 sound the half, it'll additionally hit 62mph in 6.2 seconds. but that's simplest telling half the story. When Porsche introduced along the Macan, it described its small SUV because the 'activities car of its section', and it's now mimicking that catchphrase with the Cayenne. advertising speak aside, it's spot on. Porsche has one of the crucial highest quality engineers within the company and if anybody could make a huge SUV tackle like a activities vehicle, the blokes in Stuttgart can.

© Porsche 2018 Porsche Cayenne first drive assessment It's extremely agile, basically feeling like the smaller Macan on the tight and twisty Crete roads of our examine. With the optional rear axle steerage, the axles steer in opposing directions at speeds of up to 50mph.

This reduces its turning circle round city, and makes it nimbler on the twistiest roads. Above this velocity, the axles steer within the identical route, making it feel a whole lot greater stable at motorway speeds and when negotiating long, quick bends.

that you would be able to feel the device working, although it's a a bit of bizarre sensation firstly. that you may find yourself misjudging the volume of steering lock needed to barter a bend.

© Porsche 2018 Porsche Cayenne first power evaluate

speakme of which, we'd like a bit extra steering feel. It's turning into a cliche now. With very few exceptions, all modern cars with electric powered vigour steering have gentle, uncommunicative steering and, even in weightier activity mode, even Porsche hasn't managed to make the Cayenne's wheel as communicative as we'd like.

moving up the latitude, the Cayenne S shaves a second off the 0-62mph time, and the faster a further 2nd. The Cayenne S basically is the sweet spot within the range: it's sooner than ninety nine percent of patrons could perhaps want, sounds amazing and doesn't have a hulking V8 over the front wheels.

The faster is tremendously quick, for sure, and is the one to move for if cash's no object and you need everyone to understand that. nonetheless it's now not the purest motor vehicle to pressure here. despite being 10kg lighter than its predecessor, that you can suppose the further 155kg over the S: it's not as agile because the lesser fashions. The sound isn't all that, either, and it lacks a little aptitude that you just'd rightly are expecting if you spent nearly £a hundred,000 on the suitable-spec Cayenne.

First verdict © Porsche 2018 Porsche Cayenne first drive evaluate

We don't need to end on a bad, although. The Cayenne may additionally share a platform with the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga, however it trumps them each in most areas (despite being a bit cheaper than the latter).

It's immensely in a position on twisty roads, and quick in a straight line. alas, the suitable-spec faster does lack a little little bit of verve… it's just no longer as loud and in-your-face as we anticipated, reputedly grown up in comparison to the outgoing mannequin. Some individuals will appreciate that, notwithstanding, and our money would go on the regular Cayenne or Cayenne S anyway.

The indoors is completely judged for an upmarket SUV, whereas still being extraordinarily useful (boot house is up one hundred litres compared to its predecessor). one of the most technology sits on the fence between being groundbreaking and gimmicky, however's all brilliantly achieved in a typically Porsche fashion.

big name score verdict: ★★★★★ five competitors

BMW X5

Mercedes-Benz GLE

range Rover Velar

Bentley Bentayga

Audi Q7

costs

Porsche Cayenne: £fifty five,965

Porsche Cayenne S: £68,330

Porsche Cayenne turbo: £ninety nine,291

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