2012 Porsche Cayenne

Since there is only a single trim level being discussed here, one is saved from the confusion of having to choose. It has 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, a power liftgate, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more that make it a truly well-equipped SUV. However, one main issue is that all the optional extras are very expensive even when compared to other luxury manufacturers.

The trim lineup of the 2012 Porsche Cayenne is a rather complicated affair. It starts with the base Cayenne which is reviewed in this article and is accompanied by the Cayenne S as well as the Cayenne S hybrid. The most powerful car, however, is the Cayenne Turbo. These cars have completely different performance as well as price and hence are not compared here. It is a very well-loaded car and comes with all the necessary features right from the base trim as listed in the table below.

Used 2012 Porsche Cayenne Pricing:

The average price paid for a used 2012 Porsche Cayenne ranges from $20,636 - $29,427, depending on the vehicle's condition, mileage, and location.

Standard Features

The 2012 Cayenne comes standard with a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, a 10-speaker CD audio system, auxiliary input, and a 7-inch touch-screen display.

Available Features

Available features include a rearview camera, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, navigation, a Bose or Burmester premium audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, a USB port, lane change assist, adaptive cruise control, four-zone climate control, and a rear-seat entertainment system

The 2012 Porsche Cayenne returns almost class-leading fuel economy numbers at 15 MPG in the city, 22 MPG on the highway, and 18 MPG combined. Add a 22.4-gallon fuel tank, and this car returns the best range one can hope for at 336 miles in the city and 492 miles out on the highway. Usually, we are supposed to not expect much from large SUVs that have powerful engines, but the fuel economy is definitely on par with what one would expect from the segment.

One can see that the Lincoln offers the worst fuel efficiency figures but has the best overall range in the category. The Cayenne is only slightly better in its fuel economy. However, the car that offers the most impressive fuel efficiency figures in this category is the BMW X5. Despite having a fuel tank that is on the smaller side, it manages to be the car with the most range in this category.

The interior of the Porsche Cayenne is truly a class apart. One gets a similar feel to what one is offered in the Porsche Panamera due to the sophisticated design. It has a good overall fit and finishes, and one can definitely not complain about this. The material quality is also excellent with wood and alloy trim, and leather upholstery is added very elegantly.

The SUV also comes loaded with every high-end feature that one can hope for like heated and ventilated front seats that are also eight-way power-adjustable. The sport seats offer 18-way adjustability including bolsters, lumbar, and seat cushion length. There is plenty of space inside and also a decent amount of cargo space. The 2012 Cayenne has a cargo capacity of 62.9 cubic feet, which is not the best in the segment.

The Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 have a seating capacity of only five passengers, while the other two cars in this category offer seating for seven passengers. This results in better cargo capacity for the Porsche and the BMW, but it is a bit down on the practicality that is being sacrificed to facilitate the same. However, there is no right pick among these cars because it is a matter of personal preference. Some standout interior features include:

• Keyless Start (Optional)
• Front Reading Lamps (Optional)
• Rear Reading Lamps (Optional)
• Adjustable steering wheel
• Heated steering wheel
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Steering Wheel Controls
• Front Reading Lamps (Optional)
• Rear Reading Lamps (Optional)

How intuitive is the car’s infotainment unit?

The Cayenne's infotainment system is one of the weakest points of the car since it cannot exactly be called as modern as the rest of the cars. Although it is loaded with a lot of features, many of these are outdated. There are also a lot of buttons in the dash which makes for a distraction and makes it complicated to adjust. Some standout infotainment features include:

• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• CD Player
• HD Radio
• MP3 Player7-inch touch screen
• Bluetooth
• CD player
• Auxiliary input
• Rear-seat DVD screens
• iPod/USB audio interface

The exterior design of the 2012 Porsche Cayenne is rather excellent. It has a well-rounded design which stands in contrast to the square and boxy SUV design that people have been generally used to. It also comes with excellent wheel and paint options which enhance the overall appeal of the car. Overall, it is definitely attractive and looks good even to this day. The SUV weighs 4,398 lbs, making it the lightest option in the competition.

The Lincoln is a very large car and hence is extremely heavy as well at 6,000 lbs. In terms of ground clearance, all the cars in the segment offer nearly 9 inches, which is definitely enough for everyone. The Porsche is the lightest car in the segment and also nearly the smallest in terms of dimensions. The longest wheelbase of 119 inches of Navigator helps it in offering better legroom space inside.

Some standout exterior features include:

• Rear Defrost
• Privacy Glass
• Sun/Moonroof (Optional)
• Panoramic Roof (Optional)
• Running Boards (Optional)
• Rear Spoiler

We are restricted in terms of this discussion due to the unavailability of the 2012 Porsche Cayenne's crash test scores from IIHS or NHTSA. However, one can definitely look at the safety features offered and conclude something about it. Some standout safety features include:

• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Traction Control
• Blind Spot Monitor (Optional)
• Parking sensors
• Rearview camera

2012 Porsche Cayenne vs 2012 BMW X5

While both of these SUVs aim to be the better driver's car among the two, it is the Cayenne that has the final say in the matter. Both have similar power outputs and the BMW X5 is a tiny bit faster in terms of acceleration while also being more efficient. They are nearly similar in terms of interior and cargo spaces well, with the BMW being slightly more spacious and practical. The Cayenne is much lighter, making it agile but when it comes to being a better family car, the title goes to the X5.

2012 Porsche Cayenne vs Audi Q7

Compared to the Porsche, the Audi Q7 is a much more sedate family car. Its road manners and plush ride quality never make you want to push it beyond a certain limit. Both cars have excellent interiors and a wide range of convenience features. But the Audi is much more spacious and also heavier as a result. It is also slightly more efficient but is not anywhere close to as powerful or as fun to drive. The Audi is also a bit cheaper to maintain and slightly more reliable.

2012 Porsche Cayenne vs Lincoln Navigator

While European SUVs have a certain finesse, the Lincoln Navigator relies on making everything king size. Everything, right from the price tag is bigger but the SUV is only slower despite having a 5.4 L naturally aspirated V-8 engine. It goes without saying that it is much less fuel-efficient as well. And despite being heavier and much bigger, it does not have more interior space or safety. Overall, we would pick the Porsche Cayenne over the Lincoln.

The 2012 Porsche Cayenne is a very capable SUV that also offers an excellent luxury preposition. It manages to outperform every single one of its rivals in all the categories that one manages to compare it in. If someone wants a luxurious SUV that has incredible street value as well as is great in terms of performance, one should not look any further as that is the territory of the Cayenne. It definitely makes for an excellent buy in 2012.