Category: Sporting 4x4s 
Price Range: £36,801 to £75,137
Porsche image and engineering, fine on-road behaviour, surprising off-road ability.
Not as exciting or economical as you'd like - and is an Audi-engined SUV really a Porsche?
A well-engineered, quality product, though the world doesn't really need it.
For all the Cayenne's 2240kg bulk (unladen) it's quick off the mark: this V6 diesel engine delivers 0-62mph acceleration in 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 133mph.
The quick-shifting Tiptronic transmission - with selectable sports mode and steering wheel-mounted paddleshifts - keeps it spinning over at all points in the rev range, and the engine rarely struggles or sounds harsh. It's amply strong (the Cayenne Diesel can tow up to 3,500kg, should you wish to put it to work) and comfortably quiet at motorway speeds.
On-road handling is impeccably predictable, though the steering is rather light, and in motion, the Cayenne feels far smaller than it actually is. It's a league away from a Land Cruiser, Patrol or other old-school 4x4 - though it does not feel discernibly different from an Audi Q7 or Volkswagen Touareg with the same engine (both exceedingly competent vehicles in their own right). Instrument panel apart, there's little to distinguish it as a Porsche. It's all very nice, but not particularly exciting or inspiring.
Off-road, it's pleasingly adept, however. The Cayenne can go most places its rivals - including the Range Rover - can, and will more than exceed its buyers' demands. It can ford deep streams, climb and descend sharp inclines, wade through axle-deep mud and hop over rocks quite happily, even in the hands of an inexperienced or unconfident off-road driver.
Most functions are automatically controlled by the electronic Porsche Stability Management and Traction Management systems, with power diverted from the default 62:38 front:rear axle ratio as necessary, using a longitudinal lock. There are also selectable low-ratio gears, a handy hill-hold function, and the optional air suspension can be manually adjusted to give maximum ground clearance.
