Three month report _ 2022 Cayenne GTS
Discussion
I have a fairly complete spec on the SUV as I intend to drive it into the ground like the one it replaced , so it has the PDCC chassis control, full interior, panoramic roof, tow bar, Burmeister sound system, heard and cooled seats, heated steering and windshield , full leather etc.
It does not have any of the driver aids like night vision assist, lane change assist or the like as I find these itrritating and do no need them.
So, the good points:
(1) The V8 is mildly detuned version of the engine in my Panamera Turbo and is highly reponsive with a very different exhaust note, a bit sharper and more pleasant.
(2) Handling and braking are just outstanding, much better than any SUV should deliver.
(3) Comfort is also superb, with the 18-way seats very configurable to almost any adult.I have driven long days..800km at a time and there is no fatigue at the end of the drive.
(4) The quality of the interior is very good...pale grey leather, dark blue dash and belts, and carbon fibre trim.
(5) Much easier on fuel than the Cayenne S V8 that it replaced and overall a much better driver. I have had no chance to take it off road and will do so with different wheels than there standard 21" low profile jobbies.
It does not have any of the driver aids like night vision assist, lane change assist or the like as I find these itrritating and do no need them.
So, the good points:
(1) The V8 is mildly detuned version of the engine in my Panamera Turbo and is highly reponsive with a very different exhaust note, a bit sharper and more pleasant.
(2) Handling and braking are just outstanding, much better than any SUV should deliver.
(3) Comfort is also superb, with the 18-way seats very configurable to almost any adult.I have driven long days..800km at a time and there is no fatigue at the end of the drive.
(4) The quality of the interior is very good...pale grey leather, dark blue dash and belts, and carbon fibre trim.
(5) Much easier on fuel than the Cayenne S V8 that it replaced and overall a much better driver. I have had no chance to take it off road and will do so with different wheels than there standard 21" low profile jobbies.
And now for the less favourable stuff:
(1) The styling is less boxy than the more trucklike 2008 Cayenne it replaced. The means my Great Dane has a bit less room in the back, though she has adapted to it. This is not the strange 'coupé version.
(2) My general dissatisfaction with all of the black plastic haptic controls remains. The bloody dash gets fingerprints when used so I have a microfibre cloth and cleaner in the door. I far prefer the more rugged dash one the old car. Yes, there are more services but the menu structure might as well be in Latin. Porsche needs to hire someone from Apple to make it simple and intuitive. Personally I hope we get to the stage when all of this stuff is on the phone and the car simple recognizes you when you get in.
(3) It insists on logging you in when you start which is silly.
(4) My guess is that the interior will be less durable than the old car which had leather that felt like it came off a rhinoceros and wore just as well.
(5) Lost a windshield from a stone. Not that big a hit but it spidered out immediately. I am wondering if the heated screen is ore fragile. I did lose a few screens in the old car 0ver 300,000 km but this was at a low speed. I have found a new protective coating that I will have apples to the replacement screen next week.
Also the new screen is well over twice the price of the simple old screen in the previous Cayenne.
(1) The styling is less boxy than the more trucklike 2008 Cayenne it replaced. The means my Great Dane has a bit less room in the back, though she has adapted to it. This is not the strange 'coupé version.
(2) My general dissatisfaction with all of the black plastic haptic controls remains. The bloody dash gets fingerprints when used so I have a microfibre cloth and cleaner in the door. I far prefer the more rugged dash one the old car. Yes, there are more services but the menu structure might as well be in Latin. Porsche needs to hire someone from Apple to make it simple and intuitive. Personally I hope we get to the stage when all of this stuff is on the phone and the car simple recognizes you when you get in.
(3) It insists on logging you in when you start which is silly.
(4) My guess is that the interior will be less durable than the old car which had leather that felt like it came off a rhinoceros and wore just as well.
(5) Lost a windshield from a stone. Not that big a hit but it spidered out immediately. I am wondering if the heated screen is ore fragile. I did lose a few screens in the old car 0ver 300,000 km but this was at a low speed. I have found a new protective coating that I will have apples to the replacement screen next week.
Also the new screen is well over twice the price of the simple old screen in the previous Cayenne.
SInce I have a Panamera ST Turbo I do have the opportunity to drive them comparatively. Personally I prefer the Pana at speed- lower, faster and rocksolid though I am not sure how much this is due to the tires. The Pana is really good well into the 150MPH level and is utterly unfussed . I have not yet pushed the Cayenne but willl do so at some point.
Needless to say , neither is a sports car, but they well exceed what I would expect in a road car.
Overall, the Cayenne is a superbly comfortable dog transport and tow vehicle. A minor item: I have never put a premium sound system in a Porsche but the Burmeister system is unbelievably clean and crisp. Clad I did it.
Too early to tell about reliability but will do an update if anything goes sideways.
Needless to say , neither is a sports car, but they well exceed what I would expect in a road car.
Overall, the Cayenne is a superbly comfortable dog transport and tow vehicle. A minor item: I have never put a premium sound system in a Porsche but the Burmeister system is unbelievably clean and crisp. Clad I did it.
Too early to tell about reliability but will do an update if anything goes sideways.
I saw a comparison on YouTube between this and the old one. It struck me how much they had sacrificed practicality for better looks (subjective) and I assume driving dynamics.
Seems a shame when they have the Mecan and Panamera in the range covering those bases better than a Cayenne ever could.
Seems a shame when they have the Mecan and Panamera in the range covering those bases better than a Cayenne ever could.
ChocolateFrog said:
I saw a comparison on YouTube between this and the old one. It struck me how much they had sacrificed practicality for better looks (subjective) and I assume driving dynamics.
Seems a shame when they have the Mecan and Panamera in the range covering those bases better than a Cayenne ever could.
The Panamera ST is really only nominally a station wagon and will not fit my dog, and I prefer a V8 for towing and the larger interior of the Cayenne compared to the Macan.Seems a shame when they have the Mecan and Panamera in the range covering those bases better than a Cayenne ever could.
One thing I would prefer would be to have retained the low range in the transmission which I had in the 2008 Cayenne. Yes,there is an off-road setting in the new vehicle but now and then in the deep desert I have needed low range and I have no idea how the electronic alternative will work. Obviously I will be using different wheels for this
I love how you (possibly) represent such a small percentage of Cayenne users insofar as the actual usage is concerned. I was very surprised when you confirmed above that this isn't even the 'coupe/X6' version, as the rear is so sloped. I recall your other thread in which the dog didn't look very impressed -- yes, that's personification but the side by side was noticeable.
I don't love how I have to almost hunt down your excellent threads -- can't you start a single Reader's Cars thread for this? Please
I don't love how I have to almost hunt down your excellent threads -- can't you start a single Reader's Cars thread for this? Please
bolidemichael said:
I love how you (possibly) represent such a small percentage of Cayenne users insofar as the actual usage is concerned. I was very surprised when you confirmed above that this isn't even the 'coupe/X6' version, as the rear is so sloped. I recall your other thread in which the dog didn't look very impressed -- yes, that's personification but the side by side was noticeable.
I don't love how I have to almost hunt down your excellent threads -- can't you start a single Reader's Cars thread for this? Please
You can see the difference between the old and new vehicles here: I don't love how I have to almost hunt down your excellent threads -- can't you start a single Reader's Cars thread for this? Please
The difference is not extreme but just a bit less room for the dog to turn around when she sits up -luckily not her normal stance.
Also the 21" wheels are not going to be useful off road, but I will have more rigged winter wheels which are smaller with more suitable rubber.
Polarbert said:
Very interesting read, the new car looks cracking. And so does the dog!
She is very old now (9) but has travelled on very long distance drives ( 3700km a pop) since she was born, and has some strange preferences.By far her favourite car is the Smart Fortwo when she towers above me, she dislikes sports cars and is fine with my Jeep
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