2009 Porsche Cayenne – The ideal SUV
Fresh looks
Porsche had decided to give the series a much-needed makeover for the 2008 model, and the 2009 Porsche Cayenne looks similar. The car has superb aerodynamics, you get a sleeker look and improved fuel efficiency.
The headlights have been meld into the car and they look flatter and this, in turn, helps the hood’s definition stand out more. The car has matured into a recognizable SUV and no longer faces the death glares that it did before.
Previously, Porsche’s announcement to make an SUV was looked upon as blasphemy. These days after much debacle and finally getting to see this muscular car in real life, people’s perceptions have changed. The car has finally settled into the commanding SUV it was designated to be. The redesigned taillights, the bumper, the new exhausts, the diffuser, and a distinctly Porsche-esque front fascia makes the car look, a class apart.
A power-packed engine
It wouldn’t be a Porsche without a powerful engine. Across the 2009 Porsche Cayenne, there is not a single trim that has a disappointing engine. The base model itself comes equipped with a V6 engine that delivers a neat 290 bhp. The car’s peak torque output is 273 lb-ft at 3000rpm. The numbers might not jump out at you; however, it is not intended to. The car is not the fastest, especially the base model 2009 Porsche Cayenne.
In every 2009 Porsche Cayenne review, you will find that the performance on the higher-end trims is far better than that of the base model. In a later section, will discuss why the S and the GTS are superior in terms of performance. Despite this critique, the car delivers ample power and you will have no problems making overtakes.
Supple ride
You get a six-speed manual on the 2009 Porsche Cayenne and the all-wheel-drive gives the car superb drivability. The car will twist and turn with ease, at any speed. The car’s heft might lead you to believe that you will have trouble navigating the car, however, in typical Porsche fashion, the car’s maneuverability is incredible. The car is very agile and you will have fun driving it around.
The ride is dynamic and you can switch between the comfort mode and sport mode to get preferential treatment. The comfort mode gives the car a lot of balance and improves the ride’s suppleness through the active air suspension. Switch on the sport mode and you get more precision on the steering and the handling drastically improves. The ability to switch up ride modes and get different feels on the drive says a lot about the 2009 Porsche Cayenne reliability.
Porsche’s take on SUV interiors
Porsche is a luxury brand and their take on an SUV was most welcome by those that wished to sit in the lap of luxury. The 2009 Porsche Cayenne interior is great. The cabin has ample space, there is tons of legroom and headspace. The leather seats are plush and will soak you up. However, there is a distinct lack of completion. The car does not feel like the most luxurious offering from Porsche, we believe that this is because of the other trims, which cost significantly more but also add to the experience.
A closer look into the trims offered
The 2009 Porsche Cayenne comes in five trims namely the base, S, GTS, Turbo, and Turbo S.
2009 Porsche Cayenne S
2009 Porsche Cayenne S is a slight upgrade on the base. You get 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate controls, driver memory functions, and most importantly, a V8 engine.
The 4.8-liter V8 delivers a much-needed 385 bhp and has a max torque output of 369 lb-ft. The car is now much faster and can do the 0-60 in 7.1 seconds, which is a full second faster than the base model Cayenne. The manual transmission also makes way for a six-speed Tiptronic S automatic. The car’s shifts feel more natural and are smoother. The acceleration is far better than the base model. The overall feel of the car is superior, including the cabin, which feels better with the dual-zone climate control.
2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS
The 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS adds to the improvements of the S. The V8 engine is much more powerful, but more on that later. You also get wider 21-inch tires, a sports body kit, low height ride, a telescopic adjustable steering wheel, and options of Alcantara and aluminum trims for the interiors. For the 2009 Porsche Cayenne price, you get plenty more. The cabin is far superior to the base model and what we thought was lacking earlier is not anymore.
The Cayenne GTS engine delivers 405 bhp and 369 lb-ft torque. The additional horsepower comes courtesy of better breathing and engine speed. The result is a faster acceleration to 0-60, which the car does in 5.7 seconds. There is also a shorter gearing system in place, giving the car quicker upshifts. The car’s speed is a delight and you can enjoy it on windy roads as well as highways.
Turbo and Turbo S
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo is a much more expensive car and to take things further Porsche has introduced the Turbo S, which is an absolute behemoth of a car. These are still far more expensive than you would like the cars to be and hence, we will skip an overview of them. If you are willing to shell out more, then the higher-end models would provide you with ample performance and luxury.
Safety
As is typical with all luxury cars, no safety rating is available. However, as a luxury car, you should not be worried about the safety aspect as the cars are simply built differently. They contain all the top safety features that you look for in a car.
In conclusion
The 2009 Porsche Cayenne is a fantastic car. You will get the luxury and brand name along with a vehicle that possesses everything. The 2009 Porsche Cayenne problems are minimal and have more to do with nitpicking. The car looks beautiful from all angles. The engine delivers the desired performance. The interiors are plush and comfortable.
