2012 Porsche Cayenne S SUV Review & Ratings

If the first word that comes to your mind when thinking of luxury brand Porsche is SUV, you must be a fan of the Porsche Cayenne. The five-seat mid-size Cayenne was Porsche's first four-door vehicle and was eventually followed by the Porsche Panamera sedan. Though Porsche is known for its sporty coupes, like the Porsche 911, the Cayenne has certainly made its mark on the luxury auto market since Porsche decided to expand its line (and its image) by introducing Porsche Cayenne in Europe in 2001 and for sale in North America for the 2003 model year. Though many Porsche enthusiasts and critics were originally confused by the crossover SUV's appearance, Porsche certainly had its reasons for the introduction.

Porsche essentially added the Cayenne to its lineup to make sure the brand would not fail, as sports cars are the first to lose sales during tough economic times. With an SUV, Porsche knew the brand would appeal to a wider audience and grow its sales. The idea to first build an SUV instead of a sedan was due to America's overwhelming interest in the model type (especially crossover SUVs), as well as the fact that two of Porsche's German competitors- Mercedes-Benz and BMW- had recently added SUVs and the fact that Porsche owners polled usually owned two other vehicles- one of which was an SUV. As predicted, the Porsche Cayenne filled a new, important place in the auto market.

This review will focus on the 2012 Porsche Cayenne S SUV, which is a sporty step up from the base Cayenne. Last year, the Cayenne received a complete redesign, so the 2012 model is much the same as the 2011 model, with the exception of a few minor updates, including a new optional blind-spot warning system. Overall, this Porsche SUV boasts a powerful 4.8-literl V8 engine, an expertly-crafted interior, tons of available options, and excellent handling. It comes in several different forms this year: the base (with a starting MSRP of $48,200), the Tiptronic trim (with a starting price of $51,200), the sporty S trim (with a starting price of $65,000), and a Turbo trim (with a starting price of $107,100). There's also a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid model, which has a starting price of $69,000. The five-passenger Porsche Cayenne S boasts several impressive features this year, which include: Bluetooth connection, a split-rear seat, a refrigerated glove compartment, Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment System, leather seats, Cruise Control, a 12-speaker sound system, an anti-theft system, and a HomeLink programmable garage door opener. As far as fuel economy ratings go, the Cayenne S is rated at 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway.