DESIGN & ENGINEERING PRACTICALITY

EVEN though it’s a high-riding SUV, the Cayenne’s resemblance to the iconic Porsche 911 is obvious.

However, there’s no bespoke platform here. Under the skin, it’s based on the current Volkswagen Touareg, and like the smaller Macan – which also shares its platform with other models from within the VW Group – Porsche has thoroughly reworked the chassis. It’s focused its attention on the steering and suspension so the Cayenne lives up to the brand’s dynamics. This means it’s one of the sportier SUVS to drive on the market, while its replacement – which we’ll see for the first time next year (Page 57) – will use the same chassis as the new Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga, so it should be even sharper.

From the outside, the little badges on the front wings are the only giveaways that this is a diesel. And there are no clues inside, either; you climb up into the cockpit as you do in the Maserati, and the high dashboard and centre console give a sports car vibe. It’s here where there’s more continuity between the Cayenne and Porsche’s sports cars, helped by the five-dial set-up, with the rev counter the largest read-out positioned in the middle.

However, the Cayenne’s transmission tunnel shows its age because it’s scattered with buttons and switches for options like the £1,052 adaptive dampers and £2,379 air-suspension system fitted here.

There’s lots of equipment as standard, with cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, climate control, sat-nav, Bluetooth and bi-xenon headlights all included.