Used 2019 Porsche Cayenne

The 2019 Porsche Cayenne is completely remade this year, keeping an emphasis on luxury, performance and exclusivity, but with more refinement and technological upgrades. Lighter and faster than the previous model, the Cayenne has everything it needs to keep pace with the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport and Audi SQ5. All models now feature turbocharged engines that range in horsepower from 335 to a ridiculous 541 horsepower on the S and Turbo models. There’s also a 455-horsepower plug-in E Hybrid, so you can be mean and green at the same time. Handling is vastly improved, making this midsize SUV ride and drive more like the 911, yet the Cayenne’s 9.4 inches of ground clearance permit it access to pathways the 911 will never know.

Porsche’s all-new Cayenne may be an SUV, but its new, lower center-of-gravity engine and lightweight aluminum construction make it ride and handle like a lithe sports car. Acceleration and passing power are never in short supply, with the new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 propelling the Cayenne to 60 mph nearly a second faster than the previous generation. Of course, the S and Turbo models are even faster, with their twin-turbocharged V6 and V8 engines.

The standard steel-spring suspension delivers a firm, sometimes jerky ride, but it can be enhanced with the PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) system adding dual-mode shocks that adapt to changing road conditions. One step further is the optional air suspension that helps iron out rough-riding characteristics without sacrificing cornering ability. The air suspension includes five different ride heights, lower for improved handling or higher for off-road adventures, and yes, the Cayenne can be a very capable off-road SUV.

Its brakes are powerful and effective, but for those with cash burning a hole in their pocket, Porsche offers two upgrades. The first is a massive 16.3-inch tungsten-carbide rotor gripped by a 10-piston caliper for instantaneous emergency stops. For maximum stopping power, buyers can opt for a set of carbon-ceramic brakes, which, at $5,500, don’t come cheap. We can’t say we’d spring for either of these upgrades on the base or hybrid model, but they will definitely not be out of place on the S and Turbo trims.

Additional performance enhancements include the Sport Chrono package ($1,130) that includes launch control and Sport+ mode, and rear-axle steering for faster turn-in and emergency-input response.

For 2019 the new Cayenne gets a cleaner look, with a lot of 911 and Panamera influence sprinkled around the cabin. The gauges feature an analog center tachometer flanked by configurable dual 7-inch digital gauges and readouts, and the massive 12.3-inch touch screen dominates the center stack. Seating is exceptionally supportive, with options for heating, ventilation and up to 18-way adjustment. Porsche says the new Cayenne sees a 15-percent increase in interior room, mostly in the cargo area and rear seat. Standard fare in the Cayenne is impressive, although not as complete as some less expensive competitors, and adding features can quickly run the Cayenne’s price tag into the high-$80,000 range.

While the 2019 Cayenne SUV’s look is familiar, it now appears cleaner, with a lower stance and, in a first for the Cayenne, staggered front and rear tire widths on the standard 19-inch wheels. The Cayenne’s wheelbase remains unchanged, although its body is nearly three inches longer. Climbing the line brings larger wheels and tires (up to 22 inches) as well as ground effects, front-end treatment and colors. The Cayenne E-Hybrid gets its own exclusive 21-inch wheel option, making it a bit more aggressive-looking than the Lexus RX 400h or Audi e-Tron.

PORSCHE ACTIVE SUSPENSION MANAGEMENT
The active-shock setup with the PASM system not only improves ride quality, it enhances cornering and traction, adjusting in milliseconds to changing road surface conditions as well as the owner’s driving habits.

12.3-INCH TOUCH SCREEN
The heart of the Cayenne’s new infotainment system is a massive 12.3-inch touch screen. With big, clear block icons and haptic-feedback buttons surrounding the center console, the system is as easy to operate as it is functional, playing host to the navigation, cameras, apps and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay (sorry Android users, no Auto as of yet).

For now, the 2019 Cayenne by Porsche offers four trim levels: base, S, Turbo and E-Hybrid. Standard on the Cayenne is Integrated 4D Chassis Control, 19-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, Porsche Communication Management featuring a 12.3-inch touch screen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker 150-watt audio system, front and rear park assist, LED headlights and taillights, keyless entry with push-button start and an 8-way-power driver’s seat. Standard safety equipment includes front and rear side airbags and Porsche’s Warn and Brake assist. While advanced driver assists standard on most competitors are also available on the Cayenne, they are part of an extra-cost package.

Options and upgrades are almost too numerous to count, but among the more desirable standouts are 18 different wheel choices, leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, 18-way-adaptive sport seats, adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof and a 1,455-watt, 21-speaker Burmester audio system. On the suspension front, buyers can opt for an air suspension or the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, rear-axle steering and the Sport Chrono Package that adds launch control and a digital and analog stopwatch. Adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist and autonomous braking is also optional, as are night vision and a head-up display.

Powering the 2019 Porsche Cayenne is an all-new line of engines, starting with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 good for 355 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque. Standard in the base Cayenne, this engine design hides the turbocharger in the valley between the cylinders, rather than below them, giving the Cayenne a lower center of gravity. The Cayenne S is powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6, while the Cayenne Turbo derives power from a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The E-Hybrid combines a 3.0-liter turbo V6 with a 134-horsepower electric motor for a combined output of 455 horsepower. The E-Hybrid can also run solely on electric power for a distance of 27 miles at speeds up to 85 mph. All Cayenne models use an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. Although not as fast as the PDK dual-clutch transmission used on other Porsche vehicles, this one seems to work well in the Cayenne, answering to both a performance and luxury call. All Cayenne models come standard with all-wheel drive (AWD).

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (Cayenne)
335 horsepower @ 5,300-6,400 rpm
322 lb-ft of torque @ 1,340-5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/23 mpg

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Cayenne S)
434 horsepower @ 5,700- 6,600 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/23 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 + electric motor (Cayenne E-Hybrid)
455 horsepower @ 5,300-6,400 rpm (net system horsepower)
516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,340-5,300 rpm (net system torque)
EPA Combined city/highway fuel economy: 46 MPGe (electric + gasoline), 22 MPGe (gasoline only)

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (Cayenne Turbo)
541 horsepower @ 5,750-6,000 rpm
568 lb-ft of torque @ 1,960-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/19 mpg