2015 Porsche Cayenne

All the 2015 Porsche Cayenne models are distinguished by their engine and performance, going from good to fast. With the 2015 midcycle update, the new Cayenne S starts around $75,000 and gains a turbocharged V-6 that delivers faster acceleration and fuel economy. Offering the best value in the lineup, the Porsche Cayenne S remains a worthy entry in the luxury segment. You can find a used Cayenne S at an average price of $37,000. For serious enthusiasts, opt for the Turbo trim if you have the money to spend.

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The 2015 Porsche Cayenne is offered in three trim levels: Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S, and Cayenne Turbo. The MSRP of a 2015  Cayenne Diesel begins at about $61,700, while the range-topping Porsche Turbo S comes in at around $158,300. In the used car market, the 2015 Cayenne is available for sale at an average price of $47,000. You can buy a used Cayenne S at a retail price of around $37,095.

Standard features on the 2015 Cayenne include a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, a USB port, a CD player, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seating, remote keyless entry, a power liftgate, parking sensors, and alloy wheels are standard features. Air suspension, LED headlights, navigation system, and Bose 14-speaker surround sound system, 18-way adjustable front sport seats are optional on all trims except the Cayenne Turbo where it's standard.

Porsche offers a wide array of customization options for the Cayenne including two-tone leather upholstery, comfort or sports seats, and special exterior colors such as Carmine Red and Peridot Metallic. Other standalone upgrades include ventilated seats, a sunroof, a rear-seat entertainment system with a pair of touch screens, the Sport Chrono package (adds a stopwatch and an additional driving mode), and a suite of active safety features.

Performance upgrades include Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, sport tailpipes, and carbon-ceramic brakes. The Sport Chrono Package adds an analog and digital timer on the dashboard.

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The 2015 Porsche Cayenne Diesel gets an EPA-rated 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, making it the most efficient model in the lineup. The S E Hybrid variant gets slightly better fuel economy ratings in the city, but trails on the highway; 21mpg city/24mpg on the highway. The Porsche Cayenne S manages 17/24 mpg city/highway, and the Cayenne Turbo drops the mileage to 14/21 mpg. The numbers might look low now, but compared with the rivals, the German SUV sure does a decent job in consuming less fuel.

In comparison, the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6 offer similar mileage, averaging 21 MPG combined. The X6 and LR4 have fuel tanks that are above average in this segment, at 22.4 and 22.8 gallons, respectively. Range-wise, the Cayenne outperforms other vehicles. Overall the Porsche leads the table and the Land Rover comes last, the Mercedes-Benz SUV offers a mediocre mpg compared to the others.

Inside the refreshed 2015 Porsche Cayenne you will find wood, chrome, and leather covering the cockpit-styled interior. The 2015 Cayenne's interior looks similar to the outgoing model, except for a few upgrades like a new steering wheel. The cabin is a luxury showcase for the brand, thanks to exquisite cabin materials and high attention to detail. All models come with supportive and comfortable seats upfront. Rear-seat passengers enjoy the sliding and reclining bench that moves fore and aft more than six inches. For 2015, there are two new interior colors, Carrara White and Palladium Metallic. The two-tone black/beige upholstery is now a no-cost option. Dark walnut is also a new addition to the available interior accents. 

The Porsche Cayenne is a two-row luxury SUV, with no option for third-row seating. Both rows offer ample head- and legroom for tall passengers. However, larger drivers may need more knee room, which is inhibited by Cayenne's high center tunnel. Leather seats are standard; heated and ventilated seats (front and rear) are available. The 2015 Cayenne has 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, and 62.9 cubic feet with these seats folded. 

Furthermore, all of the SUVs mentioned above can seat five people. With a cargo volume of 26.6 cubic feet, the X6 offers a decent amount of space in this segment, whereas the LR4 offers the most space with 44.5 cubic feet. There is no comparison when it comes to the rear-row space in the LR4. Major interior features include-

• Dual Zone Front Climate Control
• Universal Remote Transmitter 
• Heated Multifunction Steering Wheel 
• Porsche Crest On Headrests
• Fire Extinguisher
• Personalized Loadspace Mat W/Leather Edging

How intuitive is the 2015 Porsche Cayenne’s infotainment unit?

The 2015 Cayenne offers an immersive infotainment system. A 7-inch touch screen, a CD player, Bluetooth, and a USB port are all standard. A navigation system, a Bose or Burmester stereo system, and a pair of 10.1-inch touch screens with DVD and SD card inputs are available. You can navigate the infotainment system's menus easily, and the screen responds quickly.

The dashboard layout is not very intuitive. Controlling nearly all of the Cayenne's functions are done with dozens of buttons, toggles, and knobs. A little practice may help you get used to it on the go, but at first, it can be overwhelming. Some other salient infotainment features include:

• 100 Watts Stereo Output
• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Speed-Sensitive Volume Control
• 10 Total Speakers
• USB Connection
• Radio Data System
• Satellite Radio Satellite Radio

The new 2015 Porsche Cayenne boasts a reshaped lower grille, updated fender, and hood. After this mid-generation refresh, the Cayenne has the same length but is slightly wider than before. It's not your typical SUV; it has intelligence, captivating curves, and an amazing body that hints at its sports intentions. This muscular SUV blends power with elegance to create an aura of true presence and confidence. The exterior changes are subtle and include improved LED taillights, standard xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights on the exterior lighting package, and standard parking sensors on the rear bumper when other packages are selected. 

The striking exterior, with its instantly recognizable profile, provides an enormously appealing impression of sportiness and power. At the same time, the air intakes at the vehicle's front end enable sufficiently high airflow to the six individual radiators in order to provide cooling for underfloor components as part of Porsche thermal management. You can customize your Cayenne model with special exterior colors such as Carmine Red and Peridot Metallic.

The BMW's X6 weighs the least, at 4,466 lbs. With a 192-inch length and a 115.5-inch wheelbase, the BMW X6 has the longest wheelbase among the competition. Though this second-generation Porsche Cayenne rides atop a similar wheelbase (114 inches) as the previous model, it is slightly longer than before. The 2015 Cayenne's dimensions measures - 191" in Length, 78,7" in width, and 67.4" High. The Porsche is as good off-road as it is on-road, thanks to an 8.5 inches ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive system.

Few major exterior features include-

• 21" Cayenne SportEdition Wheels In Platinum Satin
• Thermally And Noise Insulated Privacy Glass
• Off-Road Underbody Protection
• Roof Rails In Black Including Roof Transport System
• Panoramic Roof System
• Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus)

Like every luxury car, the 2015 Porsche Cayenne has not been crash-tested by the federal safety rating agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A number of safety features and driver-assistance technology are available on the 2015 Cayenne, including parking sensors, adaptive pivoting headlights, a 360-degree parking camera system, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning with brake assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Additional safety features include:

• Rear Door Child Safety Locks
• Daytime Running Lights
• Engine Immobilizer
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Stability Control
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Xenon High-Intensity Discharge Headlamp

2015 Porsche Cayenne vs 2015 BMW X6

Although very different in terms of approach, Porsche and BMW SUVs have always been about the same thing. With their sedans and coupes focused on driving pleasure and performance, they have tried to emulate as much as possible on SUV platforms. In this case, both have similarly powerful engines but the BMW X6 is much better in terms of acceleration. The Cayenne one-ups this by being more efficient while they reach a tie in terms of interior space. They also have nearly the same weight and exterior dimensions, making it very hard to pick between the two.

2015 Porsche Cayenne vs 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350

Right from the ground up, one realizes that the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 is much more focused on luxury than performance. This gives it plush interiors but the performance does not feel as engaging as the Porsche’s. The Mercedes engine is not very efficient and will cost more to run. What the brand focuses on instead, is providing more space, both for passengers and cargo as well as a better infotainment system. Overall, they are quite different and picking between the two would depend on your preferences.

Overall, the 2015 Porsche Cayenne is an excellent luxury SUV, especially for used car buyers. It has extremely good performance, and it is a delight to drive. Despite its high cost of ownership, the Cayenne has a great predicted reliability rating. There are three different engines available, each with its own advantages. All of them make more than enough power for any situation. The interior is spacious and luxurious, as befits the Porsche name. The design has been refined for the 2015 model, although there are still some awkward angles here and there. Nevertheless, this is a luxury car that we would gladly recommend.