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2012 Porsche Cayenne review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise

Porsche Cayenne highlights

Customer rating

(not yet rated)

Pros

  • Excellent handling
  • Upmarket image and interior

Cons

  • Plentiful, expensive cost options
  • Lacks the space of more practical rivals

Mileage (EPA estimate)

15 city, 22 highway, 17 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

Price
Year

The 2012 Porsche Cayenne puts sport into sport-utility

Extensively redesigned in 2011, the 2012 Porsche Cayenne has a sporting character that marks it as a favorite SUV among people who love to drive. It delivers superior handling, excellent performance, and a premium five-seat cabin. It’s not alone in doing so, with the BMW X5, Range Rover Sport, and Infiniti FX offering a similar mix, but none achieve it with quite the on-road poise of the Porsche Cayenne.

There's a trade-off for that: The Cayenne is at the more expensive end of the market, and plentiful cost options bump up the price further. All models are all-wheel drive, including the entry-level Cayenne V6 with 300 hp, the midlevel Cayenne S V8 with 400 hp, and the range-topping Cayenne Turbo with a scintillating 540 hp. There's a 380-hp Cayenne S Hybrid, too, if you have an eye on fuel economy. All impress, but the Turbo really does have the capacity to shock, especially if you option the 2012 Power Kit upgrade, which increases the power by 40 hp.

All Porsche Cayenne years

What is new for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne?

  • Blind Spot Monitor, Smart Key, Manual Transmission, and Burmester Audio features are now available as options on select trims.
  • The Base trim now comes with Auxiliary Audio Input as standard equipment.
  • The Turbo trim now comes with Auxiliary Audio Input as standard equipment.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

The 2012 Porsche Cayenne is not yet rated. Help future customers learn about a car you've owned and write a review.

2
1
2
Average

RepairPal gave the Porsche Cayenne an overall reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks Porsche Cayenne 25th out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne features and specs

Base 4WD/AWD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • 4WD/AWD
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • CD Audio
  • Cruise Control
  • Leather Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Hatch/Deck Lid
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Air Conditioning
  • Rear Defroster
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • 20 Inch Plus Wheels
  • A/C Seat(s)
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • BOSE Sound System
  • Burmester Audio
  • CD Audio
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Full Leather Interior
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Leather Seats
  • Manual Transmission
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Navigation System
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Parking Sensors
  • Rear Air Conditioning
  • Rear Entertainment System
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • Rear Sunshade
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Smart Key
  • Sunroof(s)

Drive Wheels

All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)

Engine size

3.6L

Horsepower

300

Torque (ft-lbs)

295

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

22.4

Wheelbase

114"

Overall length

190.8"

Width

76.3"

Height

67.1"

Leg room

F 67.1"

Head room

F 39.6"

Front tires

P255/55R18

Rear tires

P255/55R18

Seating capacity

5

Max towing capacity

1157/7716 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2012 Porsche Cayenne FAQ

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