For the sake of objectivity, Calvin Fisher attempts to dial down his love of the Cayenne when reviewing the latest S. Fails miserably.
You already know the brief, an iron gauntlet slipped inside a velvet glove. And with the latest Cayenne S, Porsche still refuses to pull its punches in the sporty SUV that started a revolution. Ah, the 2024 Porsche Cayenne S, the chariot of choice for those who demand their blend of luxury and performance with the pedigree of the Porsche badge. Look, I’m a fan of the 20+ year-old nameplate, myself the owner of a 957 facelift. As I revved up this latest fire-breathing iteration however, it occurred to me that the Cayenne has remained the bedrock of Porsche’s success, much like a timeless symphony that only gets better with each rendition. Hey, we sort of accused the 911 of being precisely the same for half a century, didn’t we? But this is that car’s more pragmatic and larger sibling. The exterior is more of what’s come before, but sharper, full of detail, and a tad more aggression too.
Slide into the driver’s seat and you’re greeted by an interior that’s more akin to a five-star airship lounge with neo-classic stylings and fine craftsmanship throughout, every stitch and surface exuding style that’s unmistakably Porsche. But with a heavy tech-savvy treatment, and an admirable bias towards its driver. Good. But enough about aesthetics, let’s talk about what truly sets the Cayenne S apart – its performance. Plant your foot on the loud pedal and you’re thrust forward to the tune of 349kW from the forcefully aspirated 4l V8 engine.
So, zero to hundred comes up in a hair under five seconds. Spec the Chrono pack and it’ll crush that same benchmark in just 4.7 seconds. Corners? Those are taken with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel, albeit a rather large scalpel. The S isn’t even the tippy top of performance in the range but effortlessly occupies that Goldilocks zone, marrying just the right amounts of power and poise, and glorious eight-cylinder noise too. Each drive left me impressed with how Porsche manages to imbue the Cayenne with such athleticism (with no loss to comfort) in something so large. The helm is flavourful, the shift in weight transfer feels truly sportscar-like and then there’s the raspy exhaust note to accompany that addictive acceleration. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or tackling hairpin turns, the Cayenne S leaves ‘lesser’ SUVs in its wake, their technicians scratching their heads.
About that technology – the Cayenne S is packed to the brim with enough gadgets and gizmos to make even James Bond green with envy. From adaptive cruise control to a state-of-the-art infotainment system, not to mention the obligatory raft of safety gear. As the gracious flagship, you can further expect the tech here to filter down to the rest of the Porsche range. Much like a benevolent dictator, the Cayenne bestows its virtues upon its siblings, ensuring that every Porsche owner experiences the same level of luxury and performance, albeit in very different applications.
In conclusion, the 2024 Porsche Cayenne S is more than just an SUV – it’s a testament to Porsche’s unwavering commitment to excellence. With breathtaking performance, sumptuous interior, and unrivaled craftsmanship – wait, let me dial it back. There are faster SUVs now, there are arguably more luxurious ones. But name one with a badge as legacy-rich as the Cayenne. I’ll wait.
