2011 Porsche Cayenne

Since the base trim of the Porsche comes packed with decent sportiness and desired features, it should satisfy the needs of most buyers at a valuable price tag. The value of a used 2011 Porsche Cayenne ranges from $17,237 to $27,937, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. and their needs. For enthusiasts, the Cayenne S is a popular choice that has an average price of $18,837, for which you get more than 400 hp, a sunroof, and a heated steering wheel. On top of that, you can also upgrade some options as you like.

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The 2011 Porsche Cayenne is offered in three exciting trim levels: base, S, and Turbo. The pricing for the redesigned Cayenne ranges from an MSRP of $47,700 for the entry-level model to a whopping $106,000 for the top-range Turbo trim level. A fully-equipped Porsche Cayenne Turbo tops out at more than $140,000.

The 2011 Cayenne's base price is deceptive at under $48,000, but it exponentially rises as you add the available options from the list. The base model includes a 300-horsepower V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive, a power rear liftgate, Bluetooth phone connectivity, auxiliary audio input, dual-zone auto climate control, a 10-speaker/100-watt sound system, and leather seats. For safety, Porsche equips the SUV with standard features including six airbags, along with electronic stability and traction controls.

 As standard, the Cayenne base model includes features like a Leather 3-spoke tilt/telescopic steering wheel, Cruise control, Leather-trimmed seats, Lighting -inc continuously variable white uniform interior lighting concept, and Leather-trimmed seats. However, the BMW X5 has a similar base price but offers more standard tech and features such as speed-sensitive power steering, adaptive headlights, dynamic cruise control, HD radio, seat-position memory, and a panoramic moonroof. So, be mindful to consider every pro and con before making a buying decision. Some other modern features available in the 2011 Porsche Cayenne are listed in the table.

With the AWD drivetrain, the base Porsche Cayenne returns 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, which is an improvement over the first-gen model. The Porsche Cayenne S with new automatic transmission achieves EPA ratings of 16 mpg city and 22 highway. The Turbo is rated at 15/22 mpg city/highway. There is no RWD in the Porsche SUV lineup. These figures are average in the luxury midsize SUV segment.

Except for the Porsche, the rest are in a very similar ballpark in terms of their fuel economy figures; BMW X5 takes the victory with a combined 19 mpg With the colossal power and torque figures of the lot yet delivers top-notch mileage figures, the Audi Q7, on the other hand, dominates all the other competitors in terms of range, 422.4 miles in the city and 580.5 on the highways.

The interior of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne is one of the most attractive things about the German SUV. It is the perfect balance of luxury and classic bits. You can also opt for an analog clock in the middle which looks truly spectacular and adorn the dashboard of the Porsche. The buttons used in the cabin are user-friendly. It gets leather bolstered seats right from the base trim, the front driver seat is 8-way power-adjustable, hence you can adjust your seats with the maximum comfort possible. You can also have a lot of interior color options which look stunning and enhance the character of the SUV. It offers a luxurious interior for five passengers. However, the interior space is not officially disclosed. Speaking of cargo volume. Porsche offers one of the largest cargo spaces in the Cayenne among its competition, measuring 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

While the BMW X5 and the Infiniti FX35 are in a very similar ballpark with regards to their interior dimensions, the cramped second-row seat legroom of the Escalade might be a deal-breaker for many people. On the contrary, the Audi boasts the most spacious interior but falls short in terms of cargo volume which happens to be the smallest measuring only 10.9 cubic feet. Audi Q7 comes with a standard 7-person seating capacity while the Escalade can seat only 5 people.

Some of the standout interior features are as follows

• Front seats with adjustable lumbar and side support (S trim)
• Sports rear seats (S trim)
• 8-way power front seats
• Sliding and reclining rear seats
• 40/20/40 split rear seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel

How intuitive is the infotainment system in the 2011 Porsche Cayenne?

Just like its other qualities, the infotainment of the Porsche Cayenne is spot on and better than its German rivalries. The Centrally fixed touchscreen is smooth and responsive with a TFT screen. The user interface offers an easy learning interface and swiping through options will never complicate things. Other features such as Navigation, Voice-Activated controls (optional), and a Rear-seat DVD entertainment system (optional).

Other salient infotainment features include

• 10-speaker audio system
• CD Player
• 14-speaker Bose system (Turbo trim)
• 16-speaker surround sound Burmester audio (optional)
• AUX jack
• AM/FM HD Radio

The Porsche Cayenne gets a complete makeover for the 2011 model-new styling, bigger dimensions, and stiffer structure. Unlike the first-generation Cayenne's bland-looking exterior design, the new design definitely turns heads with its strong presence on the roads and it is a game-changer for Porsche’s largest SUV. The slightly larger 2011 Cayenne appears to look smaller than its predecessor, mostly due to its new shape - a more forward-leaning rear window and black side pillars. The best part is the Cayenne Turbo’s larger trapezoidal grille and the Cayenne S Hybrid's exclusive Porsche-script "Hybrid" on the front fenders.

To sport the difference in configurations, the black brake calipers indicate a V6 model, silver calipers denote Cayenne S or Cayenne S Hybrid, and red calipers are reserved for the Cayenne Turbo. Yellow calipers highlight the $8,000+ ceramic brake option. You can also upgrade the standard 18-inch wheels to a set of optional 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Latitude Diamaris rubber.

The Cayenne is among the lightest cars in its class. The headlights and the front end have been redesigned and look aggressive and angry while retaining Porsche's traditional design cues. The shapes and the crease lines make it look like a sports car in disguise. As for the taillights, it looks very Porsche-like and bold. In a nutshell, it is an elegant-looking machine to behold. Moreover, it is one of the compact SUVs in its competition.

In terms of exterior dimensions, the Porsche Cayenne is kind of a middle ground in its class. Although being decently long and having a decent wheelbase, it is smaller than some of its other German contemporaries. In terms of weight, the Audi Q7 is on the heavier end of the spectrum. The Infiniti, on the other hand, is the lightest car in the competition owing to its lightweight chassis and components.

Some other notable exterior features of the Porsche include:

• 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels
• Self-leveling headlamps
• Fog lamps
• LED DRLs
• Power tailgate
• Automatic wipers
• Adaptive Bi-Xenon headlamps (Turbo trim)

When it comes to the safety of the vehicle and its occupants, once again Porsche does a great job on the safety front. However, the new Cayenne has not been rated by both NHTSA and IIHS due to the low production numbers and the expense of the car. Speaking of safety features, well, Porsche has a bucket full of them. Porsche offers some standalone features like Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control and Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes (Optional). Some other important safety features are as follows.

• Porsche Traction Management
• Lane Change Assistance
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Dynamic Lighting
• Lane Change Assistant
• Adaptive Cruise Control

2011 Porsche Cayenne vs 2011 BMW X5

The Porsche Cayenne has an obvious disadvantage in pricing here, but for that added money you get a bigger engine and quicker transmission that helps it edge out over the BMW X5 in straight-line performance. The BMW X5, being the Bulkier SUV here, is also a bit less agile in front of the Porsche Cayenne despite being the benchmark in the segment for handling before Porsche started making SUVs. That said, the BMW does benefit from a bigger cabin and better ride in contrast. The X5 is also slightly more economical and offers a better tank range. So if it is an out-and-out performance SUV that you want, the Cayenne is the way to go or if it’s one SUV that’s up to any job, it is pretty much hard to beat the BMW X5.

2011 Porsche Cayenne vs 2011 Infiniti FX35

The Porsche Cayenne is considerably more expensive than the 2011 FX35, for obvious reasons. Even then, the Infiniti gets the bigger, more powerful, and fuel-efficient engine (on paper) with better range thanks to the bigger fuel tank. But its quirky design does eat into the cabin, compromising the space and practicality levels of the FX35. One place where the FX35 can’t even remotely match the Cayenne is in handling. Porsche is just leagues ahead in that department. Also, the clumsy 7-speed auto does no favor to the FX35. In short, apart from the pricing, we don’t think that there is anything working to the advantage of the 2011 Infiniti FX35. The decision is obvious and we would give the 2011 Porsche Cayenne an easy win here.

2011 Porsche Cayenne vs 2011 Audi Q7

Both the SUVs are meant to cater to an altogether different set of an audience here. While the Porsche Cayenne takes the sportier and less practical side of things, the Audi Q7 takes the luxurious and cruiser-like approach here. Thus when it comes to performance figures of any kind, the 2011 Porsche Cayenne does show a considerable lead here but when things start to shift to the practical side, the Q7 with its enormous size and comfy demeanor takes a clear win. So choosing one clearly comes down to what a prospective buyer desires.

Porsche was always about performance and sheer driving fun, and the new Cayenne is nothing short of a beast. The V8 engine on the S and Turbo trim is absolutely phenomenal fast despite its 5000 pounds curb weight. On the other hand, by opting for the base version, you can have a completely different athletic, and luxurious family car. Altogether, this 2011 Porsche Cayenne really lives up to its name and is definitely the best SUV in the market right now at one for a very affordable price. It is such a desirable car in Porsche's lineup.