The Porsche Cayenne is an SUV for those who would rather be driving a sports car. It’s a luxurious, sexy and powerful alternative to a minivan or the ho-hum SUVs that make up the luxury midsize pack. Think it’s too good to be true? For some, it is — unless you’re rolling in money, the Cayenne’s steep sticker price is quite a wake-up call.

2010 Porsche Cayenne SUV

At around $45,000, the Cayenne’s base price may seem like a steal for the Porsche name — but it can skyrocket to more than $100,000 depending on trim. Of course, for that cash you’re getting genuine Porsche performance, status and style — all in an SUV. Still, the Cayenne’s biggest shortfall is definitely its price. While competitors can’t match its sheer power, there are a few that might be perfectly acceptable for buyers who just want a plush daily driver.

2010 Porsche Cayenne Car Interior

For 2010, Porsche introduces two new models. The GTS Design Edition 3 will appear in select dealerships and comes with sexy racing stripes and tinted windows. The S Transsyberia boasts features that make it even more capable off-road. Unless you want to get your hands on one of these specialized Cayennes, you may do better to buy a 2009 model. You could snag a discount as dealers make room on their lots for the 2010s.

2010 Porsche Cayenne SUV Rear Angel View

The Cayenne is offered in several trims — the base model, S, S Transsyberia, GTS, GTS Design Edition 3, Turbo and Turbo S. As soon as 2011, Porsche may also introduce an S hybrid model with a base price around $70,000. A diesel model is available only in Europe.
Sponsored Link

The 2010 Porsche Cayenne is on the heavy side (it weighs between 4,762 and 5,191 pounds), but even its base engine is powerful enough to move it with ease. The base model packs a 3.6-liter 290 horsepower V6, while the Cayenne S gets an even more powerful 4.8-liter 385-hp V8.

From there, the engines get even stronger. The Cayenne GTS features a 4.8-liter 405-hp V8 and the mammoth Cayenne Turbo comes with a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter 500-hp V8. The Turbo S comes with the same engine but makes a whopping 550 horsepower.  In the Cayenne S, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S, the V8 is paired with a six-speed Tiptronic S transmission, and the base comes standard with a six-speed manual or an optional Tiptronic automatic.

2010 Porsche Cayenne Picture

Although the Cayenne’s weight is ever-present in test drivers’ minds, most find it’s a non-issue with the car’s excellent maneuverability. Features like the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) improve the SUV’s composure by using active anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles to significantly reduce sideways body movement when cornering. Reviewers also say that the Cayenne’s brakes — six-piston fixed aluminum monoblock black calipers in the front and four-piston calibers in the back — are well up to the task of stopping the SUV.

2010 Porsche Cayenne SUV Test Drive

On all Cayenne models, the default chassis setup is “Sport” mode. Drivers also have a choice of comfort-oriented (Normal) or high-performance (Sport) setups, which change the ride feel.

Although it’s unlikely many people would take a Porsche off-road, critics do say the 2010 Cayenne is built to adequately handle rough terrain. All trims come with Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and permanent all-wheel drive. The Cayenne can be driven in up to 19.7 inches of water and has a ground clearance at 8.45 inches.

2010 Porsche Cayenne Front Angel View

The PTM system actively distributes pulling power where it is needed most, and the intelligent all-wheel drive has an electronically variable center differential that can be locked for the toughest off-road terrain. Other features include a two-speed transfer gearbox (with low-range gearing for off-road use), an Automatic Brake Differential for better traction, and Anti-Slip Regulation for greater stability under acceleration.

The all-new Transsyberia model is modeled after a Porsche vehicle that completed in the 4,400-mile Transsyberian Rallies and comes with even more off-road features. These include air suspension and Porsche’s Active Suspension Management.

Written by admin