Used 2012 Porsche Cayenne Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Cayenne, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cayenne since its last redesign.
Take The Plunge
Gillman, 05/27/2018
2012 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
71 of 71 people found this review helpful
Bought my 2012 S in Sept of 2016 with 45k on the odometer. Bose, 18ways, dubs. Researched local mechanics to see if I could purchase my own parts for installation and there are many former dealer mechanics that understand the logic. Have replaced all filters, and front pads with rotors just to be sure. Change my own oil (you tube). Still running orig. plugs at 66k, it's normally aspirated and the mpg (17.5 overall) suggests the logic holds, esp. with a smooth idle. Had an X5 for a decade and averaged 16.5 with 225hp and a six, this 400hp eight screams, you can toss your blue pills. I drove the six but a buddy told me to drive the eight before pulling the trigger and I'm still thanking him two years later, for a one mpg difference this bad boy is oh so light it's feet. (n.b. i'm running regular gas only) The Bose is more than you need, you may hurt yourself with it but Floyd never sounded so good. At night on the interstate at 80 with the stereo tuned to your liking you are there, where there is, is your own personal choice but it's probably near your glory days. I have never spent as much time in the 90's inadvertently, you'd best set the cruise. Fit and finish is boffo, rubbed this out with Meguiars compound and waxed it and the metal flake gray is an inch deep, like nothing I've ever owned. I'm a big guy and this thing swallows me whole, don't know about the back seats but my passengers are all smiling. Paid 36k, bought a 4 year bumper to bumper for 3600, piece of mind baby! At the time a new Traverse would have cost me the same, you choose. Screw the bucket list, zip up your big boy pants and get one of these, it's about the day to day . Job leave something to desire, make the drive to and fro nirvana. Later; now I have to go for a drive!
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My all time favorite!
Sharon B, 01/23/2018
updated 01/24/2022
2012 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
34 of 34 people found this review helpful
I’ve had many cars and SUV’s over the years, and quite a few luxury cars…2 MB AMG’s, BMW, Cadillacs…but none take a candle to this one. The front seats are the absolute most comfortable, and although it functions like an SUV, it handles and performs like a fun-driving sports car. One of my favorite features is the Porsche Dynamic Lighting System (PDLS) that links the headlights to the steering wheel. As you turn the steering wheel, so turns the headlights so there are no more blind curves or driveways at night! It’s comfortable, quite, functional and most fun to drive. I’ve owned two Cayennes over the past 10 years and I’ve learned my first bought base model just isn’t near the pleasure of owning one fully equipped. Having PDLS and the more quality options definitely makes all the difference!
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2012 Porsche Cayenne for sale near you
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Running like a Swiss watch at 162000 miles!!!
Ducatiman, 08/30/2020
2012 Porsche Cayenne Tiptronic 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
28 of 28 people found this review helpful
Bought my 2012 Cayenne base from a Porsche dealer 1 year ago with 150000 miles on it. Was very nervous about the mileage, however, all dealer records were available, it was a one owner, and every single required service interval was documented with the Porsche dealer. After 12000 miles, I can honestly say it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. No issues whatsoever so far. The build quality is exceptional. No squeaks or rattles. Regularly gets 22 mpg with almost no oil consumption whatsoever. Cabin comfort is second to none. The 18 way adjustable leather seats cradle my torso perfectly. The headlights are truly remarkable with the ability to turn with the vehicle. Visibility is superb. Performance is exceptional and handling is predictable to the extreme. If you can find a well kept Cayenne, do not be afraid of the mileage. They are built to last.
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this car loves oil
sc1982, 07/01/2011
2011 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
60 of 62 people found this review helpful
I have 12,000 miles on this car, drive it mostly as a sedan (no pulling or racing around). The gas milage is terrific (21mpg around town and 23-24 on hwy). the car performs great, very comfortable and has very good breaking. The problem is that it likes to drink oil.. I have had to put 6 qts of oil in the car so far. > 1qt for every 2K miles. I am not the only one , there are 11 pages on Renslist concerning this issue. Porche's 24 page service bulletin concerning this problem is also posted. The first 12 basically instruct the dealer to tell the customer {the manual states up to one quart / 1K miles is within normal limits}. REALLY???? until Porsche fixes this issue Buyer Beware
Better than a car!
Richard, 09/01/2010
2011 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
Replacing my high performance car with a Cayenne S has been an extra special treat. I get the performance, handling and comfort of a sedan plus utility and all wheel drive. The economy is better and the sound of the exhaust is intoxicating. Everything fits and everyone in the vehicle can see better. Recommend buying a 5th wheel and tire for trips. Use the compact spare area for small items and tie down a full size spare in the rear.
2012 Cayenne Turbo
mgustaplay, 11/04/2012
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
33 of 35 people found this review helpful
Self-admitted, car-research guy. Brought this beast in Mar '12. Traded '08 911 4s; needed 4 doors and back seats (3 teenagers and complaining wife). Ubmer, two-tone leather, 21" turbo whls, sprt, premium, steel skids, Burmester - $130k (4% dsct off MSRP). Mixed impressions. The Good: Super fast, sounds great, corners like no other, beautiful interior, roomy enough for four (five is tight), pano roof is awesome, sport mode changes character of car. The Mixed: oil leak first week (bad "o" ring in mftg build); the breaks squeak when coming to stop (not subtle squeak; very loud; service says it is a reality of these cars); Exterior styling is just OK. For $130k I want only positives.
3 months in.
haap62, 01/24/2012
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
22 of 23 people found this review helpful
Wow! This is the 1st car I've spent 6 figures on, and so far, so amazing! No issues as I would expect for 3k miles. It was very difficult to keep the RPM's below 4000 for the first 1000 miles. It drives like a Cadilac when you are just cruising, and roars off like a tiger on steroids when you ask it to. Plus we are averaging 18mpg in town and 21 hwy. Not bad for 500 HP. It replaced a very nice Landcruiser that on it's best day got 17mpg, with half the horse power. The interior is more luxurious than any other car I have owned. I love the seats 18way adjustable bolsters fit wonderful, and I'm a big guy. Long story short, I love this SUV. Mine is black with 21" black wheels. Lots of stares
Great performer, but pricey to maintain
Banx, 07/27/2017
updated 01/31/2018
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
This vehicle has been fantastic to drive. With 500 hp, it accelerates 0-60 in about 4.4 seconds and there is zero turbo lag at any time. One big advantage of this model is the buttons on the console that allow the climate for driver or passenger to have air flow exactly as they wish in any combination of air flow outlets. The Bose sound is very good. The navigation system works well - this car doesn't have voice control. Heated steering wheel is very comfortable in the winter. The 16.35 mpg over the 22K miles I've been tracking it on a spreadsheet is 0.45 mpg less than what the trip computer has calculated. It requires 93 octane like all Porsches, so if you live in an area where 91 octane is the highest available, the ECU will not nearly give you the acceleration performance that this car could give you. Reliability has been relatively poor. At 35K, it needed a driveline transfer case and controller as well as a sunroof controller. Having the front brakes (rotors and pads) replaced was around $1950 - whoa! There is no oil dipstick; once the car has been driven a little while, a dash view of oil level can be seen in a submenu. This car has averaged needing a half-quart of Mobil 1 5w-40 added every 1060 miles (I just bought another 5-gallon jug of that oil on Amazon for $23). Cargo space in the rear is fine for us - it carries a few golf bags, etc. and has way more capacity than the Macan or Audi Q5. It also has slightly more space for cargo than the 2009 Lexus RX350 I'd had. One problem with the Cayenne is removing the retractable cargo cover shade entirely out of the bracket that holds it in place. It is a ridiculously tough chore!
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Turbo me to Planet Turbo!
Stuart Renn, 08/12/2015
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
My first car, and what a beast! The inside would have you believe this is a stately Rolls, floating over road bumps as if they weren't there. Then you put your right foot down and all of a sudden it feels like a track car. My spec list: PDCC, PTV+, full two-tone leather with wood handles and accents, 4.8l turbo, full Premium pkg plus (rear AC, adaptive cruise, pano roof, ...), air suspension with PASM, 14-way seats and importantly, sound insulated windows. I love the quietness of this car - you can hardly hear smaller vehicles on the freeway. Engine sounds lovely, non-intrusive. I really appreciate the comfort of this car the most - air suspension feels like a flying carpet, I have it set on Comfort most of the time. The engine has instant power from low revs and gives out a lovely growl when woken up. This is the ideal car for those who enjoy finer things in life.
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Nice improvement
choocho, 07/20/2012
2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
My last car was '04 Cayenne TT. This TT is definitely a much improved car. From being almost a ton lighter (helps maneuverability and speed) , 8 gears (quiet shift and the right gear at any speed), starts from 1st gear instead of 2nd (lighter gear box and better launch), PCCB (no break dust but still squeeks a bit), PDCC (keep turns level), vented sports seats, 4.6 seconds, touch screen navigation, and the list goes on... Still waiting to take this car to an autocross.
Fun to Drive...!
rgpitt, 12/21/2011
2012 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
After doing lot of reasearch finally got my new Cayenne S and this is the best car I have driven so far. If you like good ride go with Porsche. I recommend going V8 rather than V6. I test drove V6 but I was not happy for the price. Its better get ML 350 with V6. so far its been almost a month every one likes the car.
first impressions of v6 cayenne
bigleadfoot, 05/02/2012
2012 Porsche Cayenne Tiptronic 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
33 of 41 people found this review helpful
Just bought my first porsche and my first SUV. Here are the specs/options for my v6 Cayenne: 8-speed automatic panoramic sunroof running boards, roof rails, and trailer hitch adjustable suspension with PASM heated seats and steering wheel
Great sporty SUV!
Won, 11/23/2015
updated 05/31/2016
2011 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
15 of 19 people found this review helpful
If you have kid or need room for your family and want to sport drive some time for yourself, Cayenne will be the answer for you. Cayenne will driving like 911 with enough room like most mid size SUV.
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Sleek, ultra comfort and a nasty growl
Manny, 05/11/2016
2012 Porsche Cayenne Tiptronic 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought a CPO 2012 cayenne hybrid last dec 2014 with 44k umber metallic with 21 PZero summer tires. I avg 20 mpg. After 16 mos I have no problems to report. This is my first hybrid auto so it took a few weeks to get used to the way the hybrid system works. I have tried to push it and man the power this car has is awesome. The growl makes me smile. Great brakes and those 21 inch sleek tires has amazing grip! Luxurious on the inside, supple leather and intuitive center console. I wake up every morning and open my garage to look at it and smile. I am pretty happy. The only cons I have is the depreciation I noticed after I bought the car, over 8k? That's after I looked at a few similar cars currently on sale. Poor nego skills on my part. Also First month my wife scratched the right front rims not once but twice! 5k tire pkg ouch! She will drive the audi from now on.
Great automobile, lousy customer support
pablo3031, 12/28/2012
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
11 of 16 people found this review helpful
I purchased a new 2012 Cayenne turbo, wonderful piece of machinery. Design, looks, ride and engine all great. Brakes have been an issue, 4 visits to dealer resulted in new rotors and pads at roughly 15,000 miles due to unbearable squeaking noise, still persists. Dealer has confirmed, Porsche rep confirmed and has said that thats the way it is. I have been waiting for a call back from dealer for 4 weeks now, nothing. For a purchase of $130K I expect more from a customer service standpoint.
Amazing Improvement
Bif, 10/02/2010
2011 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
11 of 17 people found this review helpful
This is an excellent choice for those looking for a combination of sports car performance and carrying/towing capacity. The acceleration and steering responsiveness is amazing (am I really driving an SUV?). Plus, I can haul my family and pets where they need to go. Compared to the X5 or Range Rover, this Cayenne is a MUCH better value. The interior redesign and fuel economy improvement make the Cayenne a compelling choice
Rocket Sofa
GuyC, 10/09/2010
2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
16 of 26 people found this review helpful
Was agonizing over a new RR SC, 911 or an Vantage Roadster. This car seemed to have it all and the comfort and undated interior, the lighter weight, fuel economy swayed me. We have tried to buy a Cayenne twice in the past and both time have walked away disappointed, once buying the FX and once an RR, this time, the feel was Porsche-like and I am very happy we waited. A serious Rocket propelled lounge. Watch your speed though, you can get over 100 in almost pure silence :)
Best car that I ever owned!
E. Nelson , 10/02/2022
2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Still rides like the day I bought it. Extremely comfortable for long distance driving.
2011 Cayenne V6 Manual
thefaithful, 07/06/2011
2011 Porsche Cayenne 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
39 of 74 people found this review helpful
Exceptional. Value, comfort, power, fuel efficiency, what's not to like. I have owned and loved the following vehicles: '50 Pontiac business coupe, 3-speed '61 Sunbeam Alpine, 4-speed '64 Pontiac GTO HT, 4-speed '66 Plymouth 2-door HT, 4-speed '60 Jaguar XK150, auto '64 Studebaker Avanti, auto '67 Volvo P1800, 4-speed '72 AMC Hronet, 4-speed '74 Fiat 128, 4-speed '76 Fiat 131, 4-speed '69 Alfa spider, 4-speed '79 Pontiac Grand Am, auto '83 Chevrolet S10 Blazer, 5-speed '84 Porsche 944, 5-speed '86 Alfa Alfeta, 5-speed '89 Ford SHO, 5-speed '87 Jeep Cherokee, 5-speed '80 911SC, 5-speed '97 Ford Expedition, auto '06 VW GTI, 6-speed '63 Porsche 356, 4-speed '11 Porsche Cayenne, 6-speed man
85K and no voice control on phone
murrayr, 10/25/2011
2012 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
49 of 97 people found this review helpful
I just bought this 2012 for my wife. The car is fine and drives well (for an SUV). I bought what I thought was a loaded car, only to find that there is no voice control for the phone. You have to look at the dash, scroll through the phone list and select a name. We live in a hands free state!!! Checked Porsche's website and found voice control is a 450.00 extra. Really, in an 85k car?? Just want to warn any of you thinking of a purchase, be aware, this is not a petty feature and should be standard on all cars.
Excellent Redesign
Rich L, 08/23/2010
2011 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
16 of 33 people found this review helpful
Purchased a 2011 Cayenne S in July. The car has been excellent so far. Go for the 19 or 20 inch wheels, the 18's are a little soft on hard corners. Fast as Heck. 0 to 60 comes in 5.15, Porsche's estimates are high. Interior is the best I have seen in an SUV. Stereo is great. Great vehicle if you're a hard driver!
Awesome car
Al, 08/26/2018
2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
Sports car masquerading as a SUB
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A rip-off from start to finish
Christian G, 05/12/2019
2012 Porsche Cayenne S 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl 8A)
21 of 45 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2012 Cayenne S and only had problems with that car. Never again Porsche! All of those problems can be traced back to bad manufacturing and are NOT driver related. AC broke down twice. The gear box broke twice. The entire headliner came down due to bad glue. The cooling system had a leak, the window lifters failed, the control knobs turn gooey like marshmallows, etc. BAD MANUFACTURING all around. I own other cars, and none of them have this litany of problems. Porsche repairs are generally way over-priced, e.g. a simple battery exchange costs around $ 900, because they designed it in a way such that only Porsche can do it, and - yes you guessed right - Porsche abuses the monopoly by over-charging for simple things. If you buy a Porsche, you are signing up to getting ripped off and cheated out of your money. Porsche is owned by Volkswagen, which is the worst liar and cheater in the car business. Volkswagen committed the insolent and massive diesel emissions scandal. The attitude of cheating and lying permeates from the mother company down to the Porsche subsidiary. Do yourself a favor and don't buy from such weasels.
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Confused SUV
itzsyk, 12/17/2011
2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4dr SUV 4WD (4.8L 8cyl Turbo 8A)
13 of 36 people found this review helpful
Had this car for 5 months now, and I still regret not test driving it before signing the papers. Just got out of a RRS so I thought I'd give the Cayenne a try. The car is stupid fast. Almost to the point where driving at limit speeds is very boring. But the biggest thing that gets me is....what is it? It's not an SUV and it certainly isn't a 911. I'd rather go with a RR or X5 next time because if I wanted a sport car, I'd go pick up a proper 2dr. Also, the Cayenne felt very similar to the Panamera, which in my opinion, does not know if it's a sedan or a sports car as well.
Great vehicle as a Porsche should be..... BUT....
Tony P, 10/22/2020
2011 Porsche Cayenne Tiptronic 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
3 of 8 people found this review helpful
Overall great car, great performance ride and handling. Interior is very nice..... BUT..... Overall very good quality but not quite as good as my BMWs. The interior is nice looking and techy but not as solid as you would expectg for the price point. Not terrible but owning other luxury cars the Porsche is the highest price point, but not the best quality. I have BMWs with 200k miles and the interior is tighter and less rattles then the Porsche..... Again a very good vehicle in its own right but not on top in a camparison.
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Needed THREE transfer cases
Brenda Topol, 05/28/2024
2011 Porsche Cayenne 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought our 2011 Cayenne new. We have babied this car ever since. Garage kept. Had all service done as scheduled. 120K miles. It required a second transfer case at 40K miles then AGAIN IN 2018 at 80K miles! Now it needs yet a THIRD transfer case at 120K miles. PNA refused to help with cost of installing a new TC. The service manager got involved and got them to change their mind. Was happy to get such great service from Porsche service in Stratham NH.! Thank you Chris!!
Great SUV
ChadJamesR, 10/15/2010
2011 Porsche Cayenne Tiptronic 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
26 of 87 people found this review helpful
My wife loved the new look of the Cayenne so we decided to purchase one. It has been a great vehicle for the time we have owned it. We bought the VR6 model instead of the V8 as the $14k increase in price didn't seem worth it. The performance of the VR6 is everything you could want out of a SUV. Gas mileage is great at around 23mpg during city driving and up to 27 mpg on trip to the airport. If you want a sporty SUV and still have it practical, I don't know if there is a better vehicle on the market for you. I gave it an 8 for performance as the V8 and TT give the ultimate performance. The ride is a little rough but what do you expect with this good of handling.
It’s time to get one right now.
Edwin2Van, 11/19/2024
2012 Porsche Cayenne Tiptronic 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It’s not easy to find a well maintained cayenne but, when you see, just take it.
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