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2013 Porsche Cayenne

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Porsche Cayenne

Overview

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2013 Porsche Cayenne Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.9

Arguably the sportiest SUV on the market, the 2013 Porsche Cayenne is the ultimate compromise between performance and utility. And, unlike many performance-oriented luxury SUVs, the Porsche Cayenne is a proficient off-roader. In terms of capability, every Cayenne can tow as much as 7,716 pounds and comfortably accommodate up to five passengers, with room to spare. The 2013 lineup is comprised of seven unique trims, ranging from the new fuel-efficient Cayenne Diesel to the ferocious 550-horsepower Turbo S. It faces stiff competition from the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and, to a lesser extent, the larger Audi Q7, none of which can match the wide-ranging list of positives offered by the Porsche Cayenne.

You'll Like This Car If...

Don't let its utilitarian shape fool you, because the 2013 Cayenne is all Porsche. That said, the Cayenne is the ideal choice for any sports car enthusiast who needs the additional versatility and cargo space of an SUV.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The Cayenne's competitively low (under $50,000) starting price is offset by a comparatively short roster of standard equipment and pricey options. Moreover, if you need to carry more than five passengers, consider the 7-passenger Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Audi Q7 or the Infiniti JX.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.9
Driving Dynamics

9.3
Comfort & Convenience

7.5
Design: Interior & Exterior

8.1
Value

6.1
Safety

7.8

How It Ranks

#17

out of 30

MPG

#19

out of 30

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

9.0 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2013 Porsche Cayenne Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

A new diesel variant joins the Cayenne lineup for 2013, and earns its place as one of the most fuel-efficient mid-size SUVs on the market. In addition, the current Cayenne Turbo relinquishes the top spot in the Cayenne range to the new 550-horsepower Turbo S (available Spring 2013).

Driving the Cayenne

2013 Porsche Cayenne Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions The current, 2nd-generation Cayenne is far more Porsche-like in translating driver input into action when compared to its predecessor. With the ability to leap from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds...

and reach a top speed of over 172 mph, the Cayenne Turbo sets the benchmark for performance SUVs. But even in base form, the Cayenne outfitted with a manual transmission is hardly a performance slouch. The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is also impressive on the track, but in normal driving conditions, it suffers from brake and throttle quirks typical of some hybrid vehicles. Our favorite member of the group is the new Cayenne Diesel, which offers much of the stirring performance of its petrol-burning siblings while delivering well over 30 mpg on the highway, according to our road test data.

Favorite Features

PORSCHE TORQUE VECTORING PLUS
Porsche's available PTV Plus torque-vectoring system sends additional power to the appropriate outside rear wheel when cornering, helping the Cayenne track truer to steering input. When combined with active suspension management and dynamic chassis control, PTV Plus makes the Cayenne feel like a lightweight sports car instead of an SUV.

CERAMIC COMPOSITE BRAKES
At nearly $9,000, the optional ceramic-composite brakes are anything but cheap. But shorter braking distances, better fade resistance and rotor lifespan of up to 200,000 miles are very real benefits.

2013 Porsche Cayenne Details

2013 Porsche Cayenne Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The cabin's sumptuous, finely stitched leather and overlays of wood and metal bear a passing resemblance to the up-market Porsche Panamera. In addition to a sliding and reclining seat, rear passengers are kept entertained with a pair of accessory LCD screens housed in the front headrests. Like all of Porsche's current offerings, the Cayenne's cockpit is filled with enough buttons, knobs and other controls to make a fighter pilot feel right at home. And while that might sound overwhelming at first, operating conventional interior controls is far less distracting than sifting through a series of complicated on-screen menus.

Exterior

An abundance of muscular curves and a forward-leaning rear window convey the Cayenne's purpose of speed, even while standing still. Big brake calipers peeking through the wheel spokes also relay this Porsche's sporting ambitions. Black calipers are reserved for the base V6 and Diesel models, silver for Cayenne S or Cayenne S Hybrid, and red for both the high-performance GTS and Turbo models. The high-end ceramic brake option sports a yellow-painted setup. Up front, we like the larger trapezoidal grille of the Cayenne Turbo and its four exhaust outlets at the rear.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Porsche Cayenne is offered in seven trim levels: Base, Diesel, S, S Hybrid, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S. Base models include all-wheel drive, water-repellent front side windows, a height-adjustable power liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a 10-speaker audio system with a 7-inch touch screen. For improved fuel economy in the city, every Cayenne equipped with an automatic transmission includes a start/stop function that automatically switches off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop, then restarts once the brake pedal is released. Safety comes in the form of six airbags, a full suite of electronic stability aids, and complimentary roadside assistance through the duration of the warranty.

Optional Equipment

For those who wish to take the Cayenne's already impressive handling abilities to the next level, we recommend opting for Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), which increases or relaxes sway control depending on the selected drive mode. If your tastes run to exceptional sound quality, the 1,000-watt, 16-speaker Burmester audio system is capable of satisfying even the fussiest audiophiles. In-vehicle connectivity, once the Achilles' heel of Porsche, is available on the 2013 Cayenne via the Aha Radio smartphone application, which offers a variety of customizable news, music and social networking services.

Under the Hood

Seven engine options are available in the 2013 Porsche Cayenne, beginning with the 300-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 linked to a 6-speed manual transmission or, as with every other model in the lineup, an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic. The new Cayenne Diesel gets its motivation from a highly efficient, torque-rich turbocharged V6. Moving up to the Cayenne S brings a 400-horsepower naturally aspirated V8, while GTS models receive a retuned version good for 420 horsepower. The Cayenne S Hybrid employs a 333-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V6 along with two electric motors that add 47 horsepower to the equation. At the top of the lineup are the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the Turbo S, which deliver a whopping 500 and 550 horsepower, respectively.

3.6-liter V6
300 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg (manual), 16/23 mpg (automatic)

3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6
240 horsepower @ 3,500-4,000 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-2,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/29 mpg

4.8-liter V8
400 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

3.0-liter supercharged V6 + two electric motors
380 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm (net system horsepower)
427 lb-ft of torque @ 1,000 rpm (net system torque)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/24 mpg

4.8-liter V8
420 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
380 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg

4.8-liter twin turbocharged V8
500 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

4.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8
550 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

Pricing Notes

A base 2013 Porsche Cayenne with a manual transmission carries a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of just under $50,000. Adding the 8-speed automatic transmission tacks an additional $3,000 to the bottom line. The new Cayenne Diesel opens at $58,000, while the range-topping Porsche Turbo S comes in around $147,000. The 2013 Cayenne shares a similar starting price with its BMW and Mercedes-Benz rivals. To see what others in your area are currently paying for the Porsche Cayenne, take a look at KBB.com's Fair Purchase Price at the bottom of this page. On the resale front, the 2013 Cayenne is expected to retain a respectable percentage of its original value after 5-years of ownership, but unable to match the strong values set by the BMW X5 and the 7-Passenger Audi Q7.

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2013 Porsche Cayenne Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.0

Out of 10

Based on 57 Ratings for the 2011 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

8.6/10

Quality

9.5/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.5/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.6/10

I have the 2012 cayenne turbo with power kit

By old car nut (IL) on Monday, July 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 9,700

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "fun, reliable fast and stops on a dime"

Cons: "high price of options and maintenance costs"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I have found the car to be great to drive; very comfortable on a long trip. I have obtained 24 mpg on the highway holding at 70-75 mph. Around town I get 13-17 mpg, but the real issue is to keep off the turbos, but that is why I got all the power. It does not use oil although some owners complain of it. Cost of maintenance is high; but it is a take it in 1x a year car; except for putting on snows in the winter. By the way, the standard goodyear all weather tires are horrible in the winter."

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Lots of fun

By GTS-FUN (CA) on Sunday, July 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "well mad, fun to drive, versatile."

Cons: "15 mpg, limited number of dealers"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"My 2013 Cayenne GTS is 6 months old. Not a single problem. I look forward every time to start her up and drive. Has may personalities to select from. Comfort mode when you want a quiet and smooth drive. Sport Mode when you feel aggressive.And Off Road mode if you really want to. Very comfortable. Great looks. I get 15 mpg around town and low 20's on the open road. Yes, she was expensive $100K. That said, there is simply no other SUV like it. I love the vehicle."

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Terrific car

By Ron k (OH) on Friday, November 23, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 340

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "Design and performance outstanding. Tint windows"

Cons: "V6 a little light in the front end but OK"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Well made and design is beautiful... V6 has plenty of power. Had an S and for price difference, it is not necessary."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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I love this car

By Bea on Thursday, November 08, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 22,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love this car. It really gets up and goes, when you need it to. It is comfortable, easy to get into, classy, and looks great. It is fun to drive and fabulous. How lucky I am to be able to own the Porsche Cayenne S."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Love/Hate

By PDF (CA) on Saturday, August 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 80,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, very fast"

Cons: "Expensive to maintain/insure"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Awesome car to drive, very expensive to maintain/insure. Rear wheel bearing repair, $1800 Coolant system gasket replacement $2000 (location required removing engine). 4WD system requires changing all 4 tires if you pop 1 and there is more than 5k miles on them. Have replaced all 4 brake rotors twice. Uses one quart of oil ever 700 miles. More expensive to insure than 2008 Tesla Roadster and 2012 MB E63."

31 people out of 33 found this review helpful

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Disappointed

By Stew (FL) on Monday, April 30, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 44,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Great handling, hauls lots of stuff"

Cons: "reliability has gone way down from previous models"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"This is my 3rd Cayenne---first V8 - 44,000 miles - the previous cars were amazing-85K and 75K miles respectively-ZERO issues..this one is a different story--in the first 30,000 miles I--had a major radiator pipe blow out necesitating a special part from the factory to be flown in (two weeks)(adhesive failure), two major water leaks around the windows, the engine knocks (or pings) constantly (car has been tuned, plugs changed, software reset)(factory rep has looked at it) and will not stop, requires 1 quart of oil every 400-450 miles (dealer has kept a log of the usage. The engine knocking happens no matter what brand of gas I use (dealer suggested a switch) - it impedes performance and engine reacts sluggish - no one seems to care----am trading the car in right before the warranty expires-NO WAY will I own this particular car without a warranty---the radiator issue alone would have cost over $5,000 according to the service rep.....too bad--I had really enjoyed the previous Cayennes I owned--not sure I'll buy another one."

61 people out of 63 found this review helpful

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