Review: All-New Porsche Cayenne – More Sportscar Everyday, Everywhere

Looking at the comparison list below, the introduction of all other models only started long after the introduction and proven success of the Porsche Cayenne back in 2002.

This is how significant the high-performance SUV model is, not only to Porsche but to the entire premium automotive industry. Hyper-niche automakers such as Lamborghini even admitted that their sales hit an all-time high thanks to their decision to introduce the Urus SUV, which accounted for close to a third of their 2018 sales.

The Porsche Cayenne has now progressed into its third generation, and thanks to its success (and revenue) since 2002, plenty of new ideas, technologies, and all-around performance now lifts the all-new Cayenne to levels far ahead of the followers.

Specifications of the all-new Porsche Cayenne V6

• Price: RM795,000 after duties and before options
• Engine: 3.0-litre, V6, Single-turbocharger, petrol
• Power: 340 Hp @ 5,300 – 6,400 rpm
• Torque: 450 Nm @ 1,340 – 5,300 rpm
• Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic S (conventional auto.), Active AWD
• Performance: 5.9 seconds 0-100 km/h, top speed: 245 km/h
• Origin: Fully imported from Bratislava, Slovakia

Overview

The introduction of the third generation Cayenne sees the end of the long-serving 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine. All engines powering the Cayenne are now turbocharged, translating to better performance and reduce fuel consumption plus emissions.     

Porsche Malaysia also offers the all-new Cayenne S model that features a bi-turbo 2.9-litre V6 (440 hp, 550 Nm) priced from RM 955,000 before including the additional options.

The Cayenne Turbo meanwhile has a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine that develops 550 hp and 770 Nm of torque. It also carries quite a hefty price, listing at over RM1.5 million before including the recommended options and features.

The all-new Porsche Cayenne remains a high-performance SUV for five occupants and there are no plans to have a four-cylinder engine option, unlike its competitors.

Exterior

The overall styling of the all-new Cayenne remains true to the original, maintaining a practical, wagon-esque roofline, but slightly lower (-9 mm) for a sportier stance.

Through the higher usage of aluminium (all exterior panels), the bare-metal bodyshell of all-new Cayenne is 22 kilograms lighter, but with much better body rigidity.

Fully laden with all the comfort features and sophisticated chassis components, the Cayenne V6 is close to 55 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.

The Cayenne’s more athletic and technical looks are best found in the rear, especially the slim tail lamps that span the entire width of the SUV. Porsche’s four-point lighting identity found at the front DRLs is now repeated in the slender tail lamps, functioning as brake lamps.

Plenty of customization can be selected on the Cayenne, and this example from Porsche Malaysia features 21-inch Cayenne Exclusive Design wheels that are paired with body-colour wheel arches.    

Interior

The interior of the all-new Cayenne certainly astonishes with minimal physical buttons and plenty of display screens, a glaring contrast to the previous generations.

All driver commands and selections are done through the crisp and ultra-responsive 12.3-inch HD touch screen infotainment display.

Currently, Porsche only offers Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity through the Porsche Connect system.

Directly ahead of the driver lies the digital instrument panel - an exquisite combination of heritage with advanced technology.

The classic centrally-mounted physical tachometer is flanked by a pair of 7-inch HD displays, with the content easily customized through the steering wheel mounted thumb-scroll switches.

Advanced driving assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assistance are only found in the higher-range Cayenne S and Turbo models.     

Driving Experience

Headlines of lighter overall weight, a more powerful engine, better spread of gear ratios, and the fitment of the rear-wheel steering in the all-new Porsche Cayenne certainly points to a more involving drive with higher precision.

Before heading to back roads with plenty of bends to experience the core strength of the all-new Cayenne, we cruised on the highway to find that the SUV offers cruising capabilities of a large limousine.

Wind noise is well muted, while the extraordinary ride comfort from the adaptive air suspension continues to show why this is the benchmark high-performance SUV with strong grand touring capabilities.

It’s a pity that the air-conditioning felt underwhelming though, where the cabin just didn’t feel sufficiently cold even when set to the lowest temperature and high fan speed.

On the quiet trunk roads on route to Semenyih, the new Cayenne truly reveals all the new technology and fine-tuning the experts at Stuttgart has applied.

Switching the drive mode to Sport (easily done through the steering wheel mounted mode button) allows the driver to confidently carry higher-than-average speeds around the endless left and right bends.

Increasing the steering wheel angle and the new rear-axle steering happily says ‘Yes Sir!’, with plenty of traction complimented by the fitment of wider rear tyres.

Thanks to the abundance of torque delivered in a plateau from a low 1,350 rpm to 5,300 rpm matched with a better spread of eight ratios in the conventional automatic transmission, darting from corner to corner is also more undisturbed through the use of just the third gear.

Something didn’t feel right in the enthusiastic drive though, and it was the lack of the engine and exhaust notes. Dialling the drive mode up to Sport + didn’t energize the cabin with more melodic noises, which was a shame.

Carlist.my was also invited to experience both realms of the Cayenne’s expertise at Sepang Circuit, before its official Malaysian launch. Read more about it here.  

Cost of Ownership

Porsche Malaysia offers a comprehensive ownership package for their products. The new Cayenne comes with a four-year warranty, with the maintenance (service parts and labour) over the course of four years or first 100,000 kilometres are also taken care by Porsche Malaysia.

During our short spell (260 kilometres) in the new Cayenne V6, the trip computer showed the vehicle consumed under 15 litres per 100 kilometres, proving this new generation is much more efficient thanks to the lighter bodyweight and more efficient powertrain.      

Conclusion

Thanks to the broad appeal of the Cayenne, it frequently tops the list of consumers looking for a high-performance SUV. It glides over the long miles on the highway like a true Grand Tourer and when the roads become curvier, the Cayenne brilliantly emphasizes the "sport" in the SUV acronym.

A more powerful base engine and lighter overall weight in the all-new Cayenne further reduce the performance gap amongst its siblings. Choosing a family-friendly Porsche now is just a matter a personal preference in the body type of an SUV, sedan, or sporty fastback, with the SUV having the most capable chassis.

Fun fact, Lamborghini built their Urus from the base of the new Cayenne, proving how complete the SUV is after three generations of delivering performance, premium hospitality, and grand touring.