I first met the Cayenne at the front page of a magazine back when I was a kid. I haven’t seen a Porsche in person yet at the time; only in TVs, movies, and magazines. Suddenly, there’s this SUV that looks like a Porsche – because it is!
I was an immediate fan of the Cayenne. I was in awe of how they translated the iconic curves of the 911 into an SUV and how it defied the norms of what an SUV should look like. Admiration was skin deep though, much like an actress I’ve seen in a film. I could only know her through interviews, similar to how I got to know the Cayenne better by reading the features and reviews about it. Even when I got into the motoring beat here in the Philippines, I didn’t think I’d be able to drive the SUV of my dreams.
Fate has its own ways and before I knew it, we’ve finally met. She, the apple of my eyes for decades now, was with me for a few days. I succumbed to my younger self as I was unprepared. I didn’t know where to take her, I was very anxious to pass her standards despite knowing this was just a date, and I couldn’t help but be speechless as I looked at her.
Once we were together, I was surprised by how comfortable we were from the get-go. It’s as if we’ve been close friends for at least a decade now. I found my perfect driving position and despite the huge jump in size from my personal car to this Cayenne, there was no adjustment period needed. The geometry from the steering wheel to the dashboard in relation to the edges of the car made it easy to handle even in the tightest situations.
She has a different thought process but the Cayenne made a lot of sense. While others enclosed the driver with the center console and touchscreen for a “driver-oriented” layout, Porsche did it from the steering wheel. The push start button, Drive Mode knob, even the gear shifter was in or around the steering wheel. This way, your hands will be quicker in making adjustments and returning from doing so, giving you better control of her even in tricky situations. The center console isn’t absurdly high and is accompanied by tactile buttons so you can do adjustments with feel, without taking your eyes off the road. The height also gives you a lot of space, making it very comfortable even for a wide guy like me. It all adds up to a delightful experience every time you drive.
Things aren’t lux just for the front passengers. Rear occupants get treated to pillar-mounted air vents for better cooling and they have their own climate control too. They also have powered sunshades which add a lot of premium points to the overall riding experience of the Cayenne.
Driving her is like being with a friend who became an A-list celebrity. It’s very much familiar, without any adjustment period. Every input is felt. There was no play on the steering wheel as any slight turn made it move from the center of the road. Same with the throttle where even the lightest difference changed the rpm. It’s control of the highest order and I love every second of it.
People will keep staring at you and you know they’re not looking at you. Of course, experience will vary depending on your face value.
The Cayenne is ready to take you wherever you want to be. She can raise her height by a few inches, or lower it for a better road feel. The steering wheel firms gradually, depending on your acceleration, and can even go heavier depending on the Drive Mode chosen.
Reality will bite back though once you enjoy the throttle too much. A lady of this caliber demands the best fuel. Porsche gave this to me with a full tank but then again, that V6 is just too much fun. So I had to be strong and accept the price of Blaze 100 I’d given her. A far premium from the usual RON91 I fill my personal car with.
Driving the Cayenne made me realize why Porsche owners are raving about their Porsches. It is the culmination of driving pleasure. Supple ride, instant power delivery, minimal body roll, planted at corners – this Cayenne has it all. I want to be profound and philosophical in ending this review but the Porsche Cayenne is just addicting. It’s a car that lingered in my head and hands long after I returned it. My body wants to return to its driver’s seat and take it out to some nice curved roads again. It’s mesmerizing how a svelte and opulent SUV drives as good as it looks without sacrificing practicality. Maybe I’ll start betting on lotteries again.
