Test Drive: 2009 Porsche Cayenne V6

July 3, 2009

2009 Porsche Cayenne V6. Click image to enlarge

The Cayenne’s looks have definitely grown on me, to the point that I’m quite taken with its ruggedly attractive face and tail, cleaned up by its recent style refresh. The large greenhouse makes for good visibility, panel fit is excellent, and I love those twin pipes protruding ever so slightly from the fascia. Driving purists will probably turn up their noses at the fact that the “Cayenne” script on the power liftgate stands all alone, without S, GTS or Turbo attached. But when I stopped by a friend’s store, one of his younger employees insisted on coming out to see it. “It’s just the base model,” I said. “Who cares?” he replied. “It’s a Porsche!”

And that’s really what this is all about. Certainly, you can get the fire-breathing one if you want to spend the money, but if you don’t, the V6 is still a great performer: handling is superb, acceleration is good, it sounds great, and while it isn’t inexpensive, its base price is in line with a number of competitors. Sports car fans might have been shocked when it was introduced, but so far, Porsche has moved out more than 150,000 of them. Get behind the wheel, and it’s easy to see why.

Pricing: 2009 Porsche Cayenne V6

Base price: $56,100

Options: $13,260 (Green Olive metallic paint, $970; 18-inch Cayenne S wheels, $1,630; bi-xenon headlamps with washers, $2,130; PCM with navigation module, $4,500; driver seat memory, $500; light comfort package, $840; front and rear floor mats, $200; trailer hitch, $860; power sunroof, $1,630)

A/C tax: $100

Freight: $1,115

Price as tested: $70,575
Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives

Specifications

Specifications: 2009 Porsche Cayenne

Competitors

Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Acura MDX

Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Audi Q7

Buyer’s Guide: 2009 BMW X5

Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Cadillac Escalade

Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Infiniti FX

Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport