The first generation Cayenne was controversial – a large off-roader derided by most for its looks that nonetheless provided Porsche with much-needed funds to develop its sports cars.
Now the replacement has arrived, and it’s cleaner, better looking and, with the passage of time, more accepted as part of the performance car maker’s range.
The biggest seller will be the 240hp 3.0-litre diesel. The efforts to make it cleaner are particularly noteworthy, with emissions down from 244g/km to 195g/km, which matches the equivalent BMW X5, while average economy jumps from 30.4mpg to 38.2mpg. The bad news is that a price rise wipes out virtually all the BIK savings from the extra efficiency, although the reduced fuel usage – achieved through a range of techniques such as weight-saving and stop-start technology on the eight-speed automatic transmissions, which has also been set up for efficiency as well as performance – will be a relief.
The more rounded, less brutal styling is also welcome, and the Cayenne is more subtle this time round, while standard kit includes leather interior, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors and eight-way powered front seats. But it’s not difficult to increase the car’s cost by dabbling in the options list – our Cayenne was fitted with more than £13,000 worth of extras, including Bluetooth which could be expected to be standard on a car this expensive.
The cabin is a decent step forward from the last model, and feels plush and well-put together, and the boot’s 670-litre capacity is 50 litres better than BMW’s X5.
To drive, the Cayenne is impressive when you factor in its bulk. It cruises comfortably on motorways, but handles as well as anything in the class, although two tonnes of relative sportiness does succumb to the laws of gravity in the end.
The Cayenne is now as efficient as any of its diesel rivals, drives at least as well as any of them and no longer detrimentally stands out in the looks department. It’s as sensible a business transport choice as Porsche gets.
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