The question lingers for purists: can Porsche successfully venture beyond sports cars? For many, the answer lies in vehicles like the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. While sports cars are the heart of Porsche, they aren’t always the most sustainable foundation for a company’s financial stability. The real test is whether a Porsche SUV can deliver a unique driving experience and embody the brand’s essence. The Panamera arguably passed this test, but what about the Cayenne SUV? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S to see if it lives up to the Porsche crest.
Initially, the aesthetics of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S might raise eyebrows. While the front fascia unmistakably carries Porsche design cues, the rest of the exterior silhouette can easily be mistaken for an Audi or even a Volkswagen. In fact, the second-generation Cayenne, redesigned for 2011, bears a resemblance to the Audi Q5 at first glance. This is partly because, unlike the Panamera, which stands alone, the Cayenne shares its platform with the Volkswagen Touareg. However, this shared DNA isn’t entirely negative. Like the second-generation Touareg, the 2011 Cayenne boasts a sleeker profile, improved proportions, and an overall more appealing design compared to its predecessor. This evolution in design marks a significant step forward for the Cayenne.
Stepping inside the 2011 Cayenne S reveals a more distinctly Porsche environment. Whether through clever design or actual dimensional changes, the instrument panel appears lower and more compact than in the Touareg. Echoing the Panamera, the dashboard flows seamlessly into an upward-sloping center console, presenting a cockpit-like feel. The array of buttons on the console are intuitively placed, offering easier access compared to a traditional vertical stack. The center console’s grab handles, angled upwards, are a unique touch, mirrored by the door pulls, contributing to the sporty ambiance. Collectively, these elements create a driver-centric feel that is sportier than many SUVs. However, unlike the Panamera, you’re not transported into a sports car environment. The higher seating position and overall SUV architecture prevent that true sports car sensation.
Porsche interiors have undeniably progressed significantly over the years. Yet, the 2011 Cayenne S still incorporates a noticeable amount of hard plastic, even in models equipped with the optional upholstered instrument panel and center console. A surprising detail that slightly detracts from the premium feel is the flex and creaking of the artfully designed door pulls during use. This suggests a prioritization of form over pure functionality in certain aspects of the interior design.
The base front seats in the Cayenne S are more generously cushioned than typically found in German vehicles. While offering some lateral support, drivers intending to fully explore the Porsche’s performance capabilities should consider upgrading to the optional 18-way power-adjustable sport seats. Mirroring the Touareg, the rear seats are comfortably elevated and offer both sliding and reclining adjustments. In their rearmost setting, legroom is ample for most adults, comparable to many smaller compact crossovers. Cargo capacity is adequate, but it doesn’t stand out as exceptional within its class.
Engine choices for the 2011 Cayenne mirror those of the Panamera, including a 300-horsepower V6, a 333-horsepower supercharged hybrid V6, a 400-horsepower V8 “S”, and a 500-horsepower turbocharged V8 “Turbo”. In the Panamera, the V8 engine elevates the car to a different performance echelon. While the V8 in the Cayenne S is undoubtedly more potent and aurally pleasing than the V6, it doesn’t deliver the same transformative experience as in the Panamera. Two key factors contribute to this difference. Firstly, despite a commendable weight reduction of 400 pounds compared to the 2010 model and 740 pounds lighter than the BMW X5 xDrive50i, the 2011 Cayenne S still carries about ten percent more weight than the Panamera. The removal of the two-speed transfer case (deemed unnecessary for most owners) contributed to this weight saving. Secondly, while the Panamera V8 is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual (PDK), the Cayenne S V8 utilizes a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission from Aisin. Although this Aisin gearbox is excellent, offering swift and nearly seamless shifts, the PDK transmission is even quicker and provides a more direct, mechanical feel, enhancing the sporty driving experience. Ultimately, in the SUV context, the turbocharged V8 might be necessary to achieve truly exhilarating performance and the ability to easily induce tail-out slides. The weight reduction and the addition of more transmission ratios do, however, yield significant improvements in fuel economy, boosting the V8’s EPA ratings from a dismal 13/19 mpg to a more respectable 16/22 mpg.
The Cayenne’s size, while not excessively heavy, prevents it from feeling as nimble as compact SUVs like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Conversely, it lacks the commanding road presence of larger SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade or Infiniti Q56. The tested Cayenne S lacked several key handling and braking options, including ceramic brakes, adaptive dampers, air springs, active stabilizer bars, torque vectoring, and performance tires. Consequently, its handling and steering didn’t dramatically surpass that of the Touareg. While the steering was indeed quicker and more communicative, body roll was reduced in corners, and body motions were better controlled, the improvements were incremental rather than revolutionary. Similar to the VW, you remain aware of the vehicle’s height and weight when driving. The difference in handling prowess compared to the Panamera and its competitors is substantial. On a positive note, the standard suspension in the Cayenne S provides only a slightly firmer ride than the Touareg, making it more suitable for daily driving than the Panamera hatchback.
The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S, while sharing some components, isn’t a completely bespoke vehicle, and its pricing reflects this to some extent. Equipping a 2011 Cayenne S with the Convenience Package (navigation, xenon headlights, Bose audio, heated seats, auto-dimming mirrors), parking sensors, and full-leather interior results in a list price of $71,780. A comparably equipped Panamera S lists for nearly $95,000. However, even “relatively inexpensive” Porsches are far from budget-friendly. A BMW xDrive50i with similar features lists for $65,125. Adjusting for remaining feature discrepancies using car price comparison tools reveals that the BMW holds a price advantage of over $7,500 compared to the Cayenne S.
In conclusion, the tested 2011 Porsche Cayenne S doesn’t fully meet the highest expectations of a Porsche vehicle in every aspect. From certain angles, its exterior can be easily confused with Audi or Volkswagen models. While it handles better than many competing SUVs, the improvement isn’t dramatic in the base configuration. Opting for the turbocharged V8 and chassis upgrades could potentially elevate the Cayenne S to a level more deserving of the Porsche badge. However, if these options are necessary to make the Cayenne truly feel like a Porsche, it raises the question of whether the base model, without them, fully justifies the Porsche crest. The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S is a capable and refined SUV, but perhaps requires careful option selection to fully unlock its Porsche DNA.
