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AUTO
REVIEW

Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of the auto industry is facelifted 2024 Cayenne
aware that Porsche, a sports car maker that only about 20 years ago line from prior models,
began producing non-sports cars, is a money-making machine. What the interior has been im-
most observers probably don’t appreciate is that, despite the presence proved significantly. A
of some very exclusive and expensive sports cars like the GT3, GT4 new 12.6-inch curved
and 911 turbo in their lineup, it’s the non-sports cars that make most digital instrument display
of Porsche’s profits. sits behind the steering
This month I’m going to focus on the original Porsche non-sports wheel alongside the 12.3-
car, the Cayenne SUV. First introduced in 2002, the OG Cayenne was inch central touchscreen
derided by most Porsche aficionados, including me, as a sacrilege. that controls the updated
Once it became clear that the Cayenne, and later the Panamera and PCM 6.0 infotainment
Macan, would produce the profits that would allow the company to system. Porsche has de-
continue manufacturing special sports cars like the 2016 911R, 2018 cided to go all-in with
GT2 RS and 2024 911 S/T, all was forgiven. Apple CarPlay and An-
I was able to drive a 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe recently, and it droid Auto, which I
was impressive. think is a better choice
For the record, I’m aware that the Cayenne Coupe is neither a coupe than forcing their own system on customers who are quite happy with
nor a SUV, and that SUVs turned into sedans — think BMW X6 and their phones and don’t want to learn another user interface.
the like — are generally unloved in the enthusiast community. The previous gear-selector lever located on the central console has
I’m willing to bet, however, that most of the haters haven’t actually been replaced by a smaller toggle switch that now sits just to the left
driven one of these vehicles. I say that because I criticized the original of the central touchscreen on the dash. The center console now houses
X6 as just an X5 with less utility until I reviewed one and learned that a new haptically controlled HVAC panel, which I like a lot.
their suspensions, powertrains and software are modified to make The Cayenne also offers an optional 10.9-inch touchscreen for the
them sportier than their more utilitarian siblings. Plus, these sedan- front passenger, which allows the front passenger to enjoy their own
ized SUVs sit higher than “normal” sedans, which helps you see streaming entertainment, control several vehicle features, and even
around and through the pickups and Suburbans that clog our streets “help” with navigation. The display's polarized filter makes it invisible
and highways. to the driver for safety reasons.
So, the Cayenne Coupe, which shares almost everything with the I find it interesting that in 1998 after the first large luxury SUV, the
Cayenne SUV, drives better than the SUV. An enthusiastic jaunt on a Lincoln Navigator, was introduced, most automotive journalists, in-
twisty back road was a pleasure thanks to taut suspension, which en- cluding the venerable David E. Davis of Automobile magazine, pre-
ables confident steering with little body roll. And the powertrain has dicted that upscale buyers wouldn’t be interested. Those experts were
been tweaked for quicker throttle response and gear changes, which proven wrong as every luxury brand eventually introduced a SUV, and
make the car feel quicker, even though it really isn’t. now we’re seeing more SUVs from sports car brands, most notably
Still, the 5,000lbs Cayenne Coupe is most comfortable driving into Lamborghini and Ferrari.
town to run errands or cruising on the interstate, maybe especially Anyway, the Cayenne Coupe is a car that I believe many BCMS
the latter. members will find appealing. It combines luxury with performance in
A quick aside: it is something to realize that a sedan-ified SUV like a vehicle that provides more space and better visibility than a sedan.
this one can outperform a BMW M5 from 20 years ago, all while pro- Call Phil Hornbeak and ask for a test drive!
viding more passenger and luggage space.
My test car was the $80,850 base model, which comes with a 348 As always, call Phil Hornbeak, the Auto Program Manager at
HP V6 engine that pulls enthusiastically but sounds just OK. Slotting BCMS (210-301-4367) for your best deal on any new car or truck
above the base model is the 463 HP plug-in hybrid turbo V-6 Cayenne brand. Phil can also connect you to preferred financing and lease rates.
E-Hybrid that starts at $93,350, and just above that in the range is the
468 HP Cayenne S that will set you back $109,850. At the top of the Stephen Schutz, MD, is Board-Certified gastroenterologist
lineup is the 650 HP Turbo GT that goes for almost $200,000. Gulp. who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
The Turbo GT is only available in the coupe body style, by the way. here in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
While only a few subtle exterior design changes differentiate the for San Antonio Medicine magazine since 1995.

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