Similar to fashion designers, automakers are constantly searching for the next best thing. And it seems that they may have found it in the new Porsche Cayenne S coupe. With subtle changes in design, Porsche is confident that they have created a crossover coupe that stands out. Let’s discuss some of these changes and how they affect the overall satisfaction of the driver.
Pros
Let’s try to be a glass half-full kind of people and first talk about the advantage that the new Porsche crossover coupe has over the older models:
Best Looking
If you’re able to block out the blinding orange of the Cayenne S tester for a moment, let’s shift our focus onto its new shape. Keeping the design somewhat serious in front and a little playful in the back, Porsche hasn’t changed the roofline all that much. The most obvious sign of change is a steeper rear window and tiny rear deck. While these are subtle changes, they create a near-perfect take on the crossover coupe.
Design Vs. Space
Some cars have given up second-row space in the name of design, but it seems that the Cayenne S is not one of these. While we don’t have the exact interior measurements, it seems that the slightly lower back seats help offset the sloping roofline. This design creates decent headroom for two to three adults. Unfortunately, the trunk space is slightly less, leaving you with 5.2 cubic feet if the second row is up and 6.0 cubic feet if it is down. Even with this loss in space, the trunk size is more than adequate for your needs.
Still A Cayenne
It may look slightly different from the outside, but let’s keep in mind that inside, it is still a Cayenne S. Underneath it all, we still have a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 pumping out 434 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Not only does the engine have ample power but it sounds the part as well.
The Cayenne S tester has air suspension with adaptive dampers, Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control, and an upgraded torque vectoring system which altogether allows for precise handling and eager performance on corner exit.
Cons
While we’re trying to focus on the positive, there are unfortunately a few cons that cannot be ignored, such as:
No Rear Wiper
Some models may be able to get away with the absence of a rear wiper, but unfortunately, people have found that the Cayenne S is not one of these models. The design protects the rear window from picking up road spray, but it also doesn’t allow enough airflow to properly clear the window like any other coupe or sedan. Not only does a rear wiper not feature in the original design, but it’s not even offered as an option, unlike the 911.
Unrecognizable Differences
We admire Porsche for maintaining space and style in building the Cayenne S coupe but they’ve made playing spot the difference a pretty difficult game to play. The differences between models are simply too subtle, with most people being unable to point them out without seeing the car’s side by side.
Pay More, Get Less
Crossover coupes trade for style, which is less of a Porsche and more of a segment problem. While it’s still a lot more expensive, Porsche has tried to soften the blow with a Sport Chrono package, featuring a fixed glass roof, 21-inch wheels, and eight-way sport seats as standard.
At the end of the day, all things considered, it all comes down to personal preference. What we do know is that whatever Porsche creates, they create well and of a high standard- clearly showcased in the new Porsche Cayenne S coupe.