2008 Porsche Cayenne Review

The controversial Cayenne is a SUV that first debuted in 2002. In spite of enthusiasts, angry at Porsche for breaking from their racing heritage, the Cayenne quickly became their best-selling model. A Turbo S version debuted in 2006, adding on to the Cayenne’s already beefy performance.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

If you’re looking for performance in an SUV, the Porsche Cayenne is for you. Specifically, go for the S and Turbo variants, with their 385 and 500 horses, respectively. Otherwise, the Cayenne isn’t much to write home about. The base model’s performance isn’t way ahead of the pack, and the first generation may just be the most unreliable SUV we’ve come across. So unless performance is your top priority, do yourself a favor and go with a Lexus. The neighbors will be just as jealous and you’ll feel a lot more secure about your purchase.

What’s New For 2008:

The Cayenne is all-new for 2008. Featuring a redesigned exterior, the Cayenne is now powered by either a 3.6-L, 290-hp V6; a 4.8-L, 385-hp V8; or a 4.8-L, 500-hp turbocharged V8. A power liftgate is now standard, along with XM radio.

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power data is not available. The original Cayenne had a slew of problems including doors that wouldn’t close properly, water leaks, shakiness, hard shifting, electrical malfunctions, failing instrument clusters, oil leaks, and faulty oil scraper rings. It was recalled five times for insecure child restraints, oil starvation, and insufficient rivets. Expect below-average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

Crash test scores are unavailable. Anti-lock brakes, full side airbags, stability control, and a rollover sensor come standard. Xenon headlights and parking sensors are included with the Turbo trim, but are otherwise optional.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Hey, look, it’s a Porsche!
+ Blistering SUV performance with the Turbo and S trims
+ Superb handling

Cons
- Unreliable
- Base model has average performance
- Some awkward controls

Head-To-Head Competition:

The Lexus RX 350 costs $6,000 less, and has a very similar engine with only 20 less hp (not to mention a lot more reliability). The 2007 Isuzu Ascender for $15,000 less, features an equally powerful engine. Even the Saturn Outlook, at $13,000 less has only 20 fewer hp than the base Cayenne.

What Others Are Saying:

“The price is steep, but this is a nice compromise for people who want a decent amount of performance and plenty of comfort. The Cayenne S doesn’t do so badly on fuel, either-relatively speaking.” – Autoweek

“Ultimately, anyone willing to pay top dollar for a top-of-line vehicle will get his or her money’s worth. Drivers will sit inside their Cayenne, encased in beautiful leather, listening to premium sound and confident that if they need to, they could hit 160 mph.” – The Detroit News

“The Turbo is such a rocket, it sometimes felt as if it could overpower its chassis; I didn’t find it particularly fun to drive. Once the neighborhood slammers have been trounced in stoplight drag races, ennui sets in. The Turbo begins to seem like a bully without a cause.” – The New York Times

Read more about the 2008 Porsche Cayenne at the Porsche manufacturer web site.