Review of the new Porsche Cayenne S

Having weathered some unwarranted adverse reaction when it first appeared, Porsche's Cayenne has now evolved into a car that doesn't need to try quite so hard to create an impression. It's still the best handling big 4x4, it's just now a little better looking. This V8 S model features a proper Porsche engine and real attitude.

Buying a big 4x4 used to mean putting up with lumbering, wallowing handling and engines that made all the right noises but afforded precious little go. The BMW X5 did much to change that but it wasn't until the Cayenne appeared that customers where faced with a 4x4 they'd drive on road just for the fun of it. The current Cayenne S moves the game on again with the introduction of Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDDC). This system stabilises roll during cornering and is offered as an option on all models. The result on the road is better handling and agility, plus greater directional stability and ride comfort. When off-roading, owners will notice better axle articulation.

Direct injection and VarioCam Plus valve control see the eight cylinder powerplant get a 45bhp shot in the arm, the mainstay of the Cayenne line up now packing a hefty 385bhp wallop. This means 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 157mph. If that's not enough, there's a 405bhp GTS variant that knocks a half a second off the rest to sixty sprint time and adds a package of sporting add-ons. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) can direct up to 100 per cent of drive to the front or rear wheels if necessary. What's not so well known about the Cayenne is that it's also brilliantly capable off road. Put some clunker wheels and mud tyres on one and you'll emerge with slack-jawed admiration for what Porsche has achieved.

As much as you can admire the old Cayenne for its technical prowess, it was nevertheless hard to get past its rather frog-faced styling. In a moment of uncharacteristic corporate under-confidence, Porsche decided the Cayenne's best chance of instant acceptance was if it had the front of a 911 sports car grafted and morphed onto this bluff 4x4. As a 'sports ute' it looked rather odd, and became more ungainly the paler the colour it was specified in. The latest model makes amends, giving the Cayenne a front end look all of its own. Where the 997 series 911 has gone back to round headlamps, the Cayenne now gets more feline looking projector beam lights and a grille that's sleeker than before. This not only looks the part but also significantly improves cooling.

"Drive one and you'll be a convert, requirement for deep pockets notwithstanding.."

The wheel arches are more clearly defined than before and every Cayenne model is fitted with a rear diffuser and a roof-mounted spoiler. As before, there's plenty of space inside, although if you really want a 4x4 capable of carrying a big family, you'd probably be better off looking at an Audi Q7. The build quality of much of the switchgear has been improved and Porsche has also revised the materials used for the seating.

The Cayenne S sits in the middle of a three model range beginning with the 3.6-litre Cayenne V6 and topped by the mighty 500bhp Cayenne Turbo. Both the V6 and the Cayenne S are remarkably good value for money and Porsche knows that there will always be a market for customers who want the quickest Cayenne, virtually regardless of cost. Ask most people what they reckon the V8 Cayenne S would run them and they'd probably reckon somewhere between £60,000 and £70,000, so the £46,610 that Porsche do ask seems a very good deal. Compare that to a top Range Rover Sport, which is slower, smaller inside and doesn't handle as well yet wears a £60,000 sticker price, and you'll start to appreciate the value proposition.

Equipment levels are very good, with this model featuring PSM stability control, a fully galvanised body, an onboard computer, a full leather interior, twin front, side and curtain airbags, metallic finish interior trim, dual zone climate control with carbon and pollen filters, and an alarm and immobiliser. There's also the option of Tiptronic automatic transmission.

While this Porsche may seem comparatively good value to put on your drive, you're going to need to throw some serious money at it when it comes to running costs. Just filling that 100-litre fuel tank is a sobering business, especially as it's fairly easy to deplete it in just 220 miles of throttle heavy driving. Drive with a little more care and Porsche claims that you should be able to average 19mpg with urban use dropping that figure to 12.8mpg and 26.2mpg attainable on more open roads. This is around 8 per cent better than the car's less powerful predecessor, so Porsche is gradually working in the right direction but you'll still attract sniffy looks from urbanites in their Priuses.

Insurance is pricey, consumables aren't cheap (try getting a quote for one of the 255/55 R18 tyres!) and depreciation is rather in the lap of the gods given the eagerness of knee-jerk politicians looking to make an example of cars such as this. The Cayenne S already attracts the top rate of vehicle excise duty taxation so that's worth accounting for in the domestic budgeting.

The Porsche Cayenne S is every inch a real Porsche. Even though it tips the scales at over two tonnes, the steering feel, the weighting of the pedals and the throttle response has all been honed to Porsche's exacting standards. With a hulking great V8 engine up front, it offers Porsche style performance too.

With that comes some rather exotic running costs but factor in the relatively low up front price of the car and you will be able to run the Cayenne S for three years for significantly less than, say, a supercharged Range Rover Sport. I know what I'd rather be driving when the going gets twisty and it's not the car that's based on a Discovery. The Cayenne offers a lot of car for the money and more dynamic capability than any other big 4x4. Drive one and you'll be a convert, requirement for deep pockets notwithstanding.

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