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Porsche has decided to go all-in with Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto, which I think is a better choice than forcing a clunky system creat-
ed by automotive engineers on customers who are quite happy with their
phones and don’t want to learn another user interface.
The Cayenne also offers an optional 10.9-inch touchscreen for the
front passenger, which allows the front passenger to enjoy their own
streaming entertainment, control several vehicle features, and even “help”
with navigation. The display’s polarized filter makes it invisible to the driv-
er for safety reasons.
The gear-selector lever, previously located on the central console, has
been replaced by a smaller toggle switch that now sits just to the left of
the central touchscreen on the dash. And the center console now hous-
es a new haptically controlled climate-control panel (no more knobs or
switches — sigh).
As you’d expect, the 5,348 lbs Cayenne is most comfortable driving
into town to run errands or cruising on the interstate, maybe especially the
latter. It’s fine on curvy back roads, too, of course, but it’s no 911.
My plug-in 463HP V-6 Cayenne E-Hybrid test car starts at $97,200.
The base Cayenne, which comes with a 348HP V6 engine that pulls
enthusiastically but sounds just OK, goes for $84,700. Just above the
plug-in V6 Cayenne E-Hybrid is the 475 HP V8 Cayenne S that will set
you back $103,600, and then there’s the Cayenne GTS, which goes for
$124,900. Turbo models are more — the performance-oriented Cayenne
Coupe GT costs more than $200k, and costly options are plentiful.
Cayennes are expensive.
I find it interesting that in 1998 after the first large luxury SUV, the
Lincoln Navigator, was introduced, most automotive journalists, includ-
ing the venerable David E. Davis of Car and Driver and Automobile mag-
azines, predicted that upscale buyers wouldn’t be interested. Those experts
were proven wrong as every luxury brand eventually introduced an SUV,
and now we’re seeing SUVs from sports car brands, most notably Aston
Martin, Lamborghini and Ferrari. It’s a new world.
The Cayenne is a vehicle that I believe many BCMS members will
find appealing. It’s expensive, but it combines luxury with performance in
a vehicle that provides a lot more space than a sedan. And if you choose
one of the plug-in hybrid varieties, it’s even good for the environment.
As always, call Phil Hornbeak to get your best BCMS price for a
Cayenne or any other vehicle you’re interested in.

Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified Gastroenterologist who
lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed here
in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews for San
Antonio Medicine magazine since 1995.