Test drove cayenne S in Sydney

[ashP]

Hi all, I test drove the cayenne s coupe at the local dealership in Sydney. OMFG! Im blown away by the experience so I had to share it.

The car had 22inch wheels, no Active ride or rear axle steering. I have not added either of those to my spec so I was glad I could get a feel of the car I will be getting in a few months. The first thing that stood out was the suspension and cushiony ride quality - even though on 22s, dare I say it felt like an s class or at least a high end e class air suspension in terms of comfort over potholes. If anyone is looking for ride comfort you will be surprised how nice it is (I have not driven air suspension in my macan so probably it was a new feeling but damn was it good!) i tried switching the modes and the car changes character, the artificial sound feels bloody awesome and there are little vibrations that come in the steering and the bottom of the footwell that make it feel like a real engine.

Secondly the easy of maneuvering, even without rear steering, the car felt astonishingly easy to maneuver on narrow suburban streets and I felt zero driver fatigue while u-turning. The car felt light there was no feeling that I was driving a heavy 2.6tonne car.

The steering felt super light (in a nice way, my Macan feels heavy) and pin point accurate, the nose of the car felt in total control due to the awesome steering feel Porsche are known for. The Bose is amazing and I could feel deep (but not overpowering) base in my sternum when the music was loud, it was thrilling!

I couldn't speed much due to traffic but it was felt quite fast and caused some butterflies in the stomach after the car goes beyond 80-90kmph because you tend to think the initial high torque will slow down but it keeps on pulling and pulling. Driving at 80 feels like driving on 40. Super refined, composed, luxurious. After driving it I realise why it costs what it costs.

I felt like driving for another 2hrs so I could comprehend the experience and emotions but had to return it in 45mins, it was effortless driving. I felt refreshed after driving it. I would go to the extent of saying its the best car Ive ever driven. All you current and future cayenne owners would most likely be very happy with your purchase, regardless if you have the base, S, or turbo. I can only imagine how the Burmeister, PAR and RAS would enhance the driving experience but I didnt miss those features because ive never used them before.

 

[MikeyS]

That’s great to hear ashP. My S is about a week away and I can’t wait, especially after reading your report. I’ve only had a quick test drive in the standard electric, so not experienced the S.
It’s my first Porsche, after moving away from a Range Rover Sport plug in hybrid.
Hoping I won’t be disappointed

 

[ashP]

That’s great to hear ashP. My S is about a week away and I can’t wait, especially after reading your report. I’ve only had a quick test drive in the standard electric, so not experienced the S.
It’s my first Porsche, after moving away from a Range Rover Sport plug in hybrid.
Hoping I won’t be disappointed

Would love to hear your thoughts on Range Rover vs cayenne and how your initial experience is with the new car. Share some pics if you can mate

 

[MikeyS]

Will do. It’s at the docks in the UK, so it’s getting close.

 

[dba]

I am coming from a 2017 Range Rover Sport hybrid.

i just had the Porsche cayenne turbo electric for few days. So need more time to make my judgement.. it has active ride as well as rear wheel steering and 21” wheels.

For ride comfort maybe on par with the RRS (which is on 22” wheels , but the good thing is there is no head toss on bumps which is is quite present in the RRS.

of course power is much greater, as well as the handling much better.
Ergonomics, better on the RRS , as well as over all ambiance.

For example that middle storage space in the Cayenne is strange and too deep. The armrest is not adjustable in height so too high for my wife.
One other thing that is quite annoying is driver display is partially hidden by the steering wheel.

 

[ashP]

I am coming from a 2017 Range Rover Sport hybrid.

i just had the Porsche cayenne turbo electric for few days. So need more time to make my judgement.. it has active ride as well as rear wheel steering and 21” wheels.

For ride comfort maybe on par with the RRS (which is on 22” wheels , but the good thing is there is no head toss on bumps which is is quite present in the RRS.

of course power is much greater, as well as the handling much better.
Ergonomics, better on the RRS , as well as over all ambiance.

For example that middle storage space in the Cayenne is strange and too deep. The armrest is not adjustable in height so too high for my wife.
One other thing that is quite annoying is driver display is partially hidden by the steering wheel.

What about interior ambience feel with ambient lighting and screen layout?

 

[dba]

Actually yes, with the screens (i have the passenger display as well), the ambiance looks more modern and “techno”, while RRS one is more clean , more regal, but feels outdated from technical perspective. Depends what you like more…

The problems with the interior, there are several places, which are made of quite cheap and scratchy plastics.
Noticeable, especially in the center console, parts which you touch (left and right “handles”, where you might put your hand. Also lower part of the center console is cheap and scratchy. I have the club leather interior option, so the leather is very nice. Door handles a bit like a toy.

Other smaller things: no music back button on the steering wheel, and the need to adjust the airflow trough the center display.