AT A GLANCE

Drive trains: Front-mounted AWD Quad cam 24-valve turbo-charged diesel and petrol engines, seven speed double-clutch automatics. Outputs: S petrol – 250kW at 5500 to 6500 rpm, 460Nm at 1450 to 5000rpm, 8.7L/100km, 204 g/km CO . S diesel – 190kW at 4000 to 4250rpm, 580Nm at 1750 to 2500rpm, 6.1L/100km, 159 g/km CO . Turbo – 294 kW at 6000 rpm, 550Nm at 1350 to 4500 rpm, 9.1 L/100km, 213 g/km CO . Performance: S petrol – Max 254kmh, 0-100 kmh 5.4 seconds (5.2 with Sport Chrono). S diesel – Max 230 kmh, 0-100 kmh 6.3 seconds (6.1 with Sport Chrono). Turbo – Max 266kmh, 0-100 kmh 4.8 seconds (4.6 with Sport Chrono). Chassis: Five-arm wishbone front axle, trapezoidal wishbone at the rear. Electro-mechanical power steering. Air suspension standard on Turbo and optional on others. Safety: Front, side, knee and curtain airbags, ABS, stability control active suspension management. Connectivity: Full bluetooth, streaming, MP3, iPod and sat-nav. Dimensions: L 4681mm, (Turbo 4699mm), W 1923mm, H 1624mm, W/base 2807mm, F/track 1655mm, R/track 1651mm. Fuel 75L, Weight 1865-1925kg. Pricing: S diesel $118,000, S petrol $121,000, Turbo $156,000 Hot: Turbo is quickest SUV around, but high value diesel also amazing; nimble chassis; fantastic ride quality, even better with air suspension. Not: Tight for knees in the rear seat; possible to add tens of thousands of dollars worth of very expensive options.

Unless you have regular full-size rear-seat passengers, who needs a Cayenne? This Porsche, even in diesel form genuinely puts the ‘S’ into SUV.