2018 Porsche Cayenne Review

As far as performance and luxury go, we're confident that most shoppers will find the base Cayenne to their liking. Porsche buyers tend to crave a bit more performance, however, so we think the Cayenne S hits a good balance point for power and price. Additionally, we'd add the Sport package and...

This is an easy SUV to drive overall, but leaving stoplights can take longer than expected due to a slight delay from both the eight-speed automatic transmission and the engine. The auto stop-start system isn't intrusive unless driving in very heavy traffic.

Motivating more than two-and-a-half tons of vehicle to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds is a tall order, but the Cayenne S does so without breaking a sweat. At full throttle, the all-wheel-drive Cayenne launches from a standstill without drama.

The Cayenne S needed just 106 feet to stop from 60 mph in our tests, which is better than many dedicated sports cars do.

The steering response and feel are about as good as it gets in a SUV. The reduced assist (heavier steering feel) in Sport and Sport Plus modes is suitable for enthusiastic driving, while Comfort mode provides effortless parking-lot and around-town maneuvering.

The Cayenne's handling is impressive in a vehicle of this size. Although it had a nose-heavy attitude around the long, sustained arc of our skidpad test, the Cayenne S handles real-world driving situations amazingly well.

This is an easy SUV to drive overall, but leaving stoplights can take longer than expected due to a slight delay from both the eight-speed automatic transmission and the engine. The auto stop-start system isn't intrusive unless driving in very heavy traffic.

The Cayenne's specialty is peerless stability on curvy roads, yet it's also decent in an off-road environment. The height-adjustable air suspension provides plenty of clearance. You can't get low-range gearing in the Cayenne, though.

The 2017 Cayenne S combines a quiet cabin with seating that preserves comfort for long-distance cruising and still offers excellent support for more dynamic driving. The optional adjustable air suspension is key in this area, offering varied height and ride comfort settings.

Several front-seat designs are available, but they mostly differ in the number of adjustments, including those for the bolsters. All are superb in terms of long-distance and cornering support. The rear bench is split 40/20/40 for improved comfort and versatility.

On the softest suspension setting of three available (Comfort), the Cayenne's underlying sporting nature can still be discerned. The ride isn't harsh in the least, but if you're expecting pillowlike comfort, look elsewhere.

The Cayenne's cabin is quiet at all times and keeps wind and road noise to a minimum. A low-frequency engine/exhaust note at idle is a little louder than expected, especially given the Cayenne's lack of a burly exhaust sound at full throttle.

Porsche does interiors well. The 2017 Cayenne's cabin layout is highly intuitive and well insulated, and it has excellent fit and finish. Whether you spend your time commuting or taking long road trips, the Cayenne provides a fast-moving sanctuary of comfort from the world outside.

Like Apple's iPhone, the Cayenne's controls and switchgear require little instruction and effort to use. The number of buttons may be dizzying at first glance, but the layout is thoughtful and quickly becomes second nature.

The door openings are typical for an SUV, opening to nearly 90 degrees. The seat cushions have more aggressive lateral bolstering than in most rivals (even in the back), but the adjustable air suspension option allows for low step-in and loading heights.

With so many available adjustments, the Cayenne's many seating options should all provide a better driving position than can be achieved in most other vehicles. A low-slung, 911-like seating position it's not, but you'll definitely feel in control and part of the vehicle.

Headroom is abundant, as are shoulder room and hiproom for the front passengers. The high center console reduces some open cabin air space, but it isn't a hindrance. In back, rear legroom is adequate at best.

The door-mounted side mirrors provide a clearer view out the windows (compared to the more typical mounting next to the roof pillar), but the mirrors themselves are small. The optional Lane Change Assist is a necessity.

Build quality is something at which Porsche consistently excels, and the Cayenne is no exception. The interior design is thoughtful and functional, with high-quality materials and tight fit. Everything is finished to an elegant standard.

For an SUV of its size and weight, its utility is below average. Similarly priced rivals are almost all better in this regard.

With its high center console packed with buttons, there really isn't much opportunity for small-item storage beyond the smallish under-armrest bin and glovebox. At least the door pockets are of a fair size.

The Cayenne concedes considerable cargo room to its competition, with 24 cubic feet with the seats raised and 63 cubic feet with them folded. That's about what you can expect from compact luxury SUVs.

The Cayenne S is rated to tow up to 7,716 pounds, more than most other luxury crossover SUVs.

The Porsche Cayenne offers most of the infotainment and safety tech expected at this price range. Note we said "offers" because most of it is optional. Features such as a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay and forward collision warning are all extra cost items.

The Cayenne gets a jolt for 2017 with Porsche's new touchscreen interface. It's quicker to respond, easier to use, less prone to fingerprints and can be equipped with Apple CarPlay.

Essentially all driving aids are optional: a rearview camera, parking sensors, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, adaptive cruise control (includes forward collision warning with auto-brake). Some, if not all, of these features should be standard at this price.