Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche Cayenne 2008 review

Sporty SUV gets a host of high performance tweaks that boost performance and presence.

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Porsche Cayenne
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

With its immense performance and practicality, the Cayenne is difficult to match. The trouble is, the overall package doesn’t quite live up to Porsche’s sports car heritage. Nevertheless, the new GTS is arguably the best spec choice for the German super-SUV. While it’s far from subtle, the beefy styling will allow you to turn heads wherever you go. What’s more, the newcomer makes the range-topping turbo variant appear rather pricey.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Since the Cayenne arrived, its ‘911 on steroids’ styling has divided opinion. While some love its brutal lines, others wince at the garish details.

If you fall into the latter group, the GTS edition is unlikely to top your wish list. Combining the styling cues of the facelifted Cayenne with a raft of bodykit extras, this is an SUV for drivers who want to get noticed.

Behind the wheel, the GTS provides the Porsche’s usual mix of physics-defying performance and cornering grip. The steering is reasonably weighted considering the car’s enormous dimensions, and the handling is still impressive for an SUV.

It’s not quite as fast as the turbocharged flagship, but the naturally aspirated V8 propels the huge manual 4x4 from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds – that’s four-tenths-of-a-second quicker than the automatic car.

The trade-off for this performance advantage, though, comes in fuel economy and CO2 output – the manual model returns 18.7mpg and emits 361g/km to the self-shifter’s 20.3mpg and 332g/km figures.

Weighing in at £54,350, the GTS is a very expensive style statement – it costs £7,740 more than a standard Cayenne. Next to the £74,650 range-topping Turbo, the GTS looks like a bargain. But only those who fall for its brutish charm will think it’s worth the extra over the V8.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne

RRP £52,939Used from £29,995
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £15,440
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,482
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
Electric Car Grant in detail: Which cars will get the UK EV discount?
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

Electric Car Grant in detail: Which cars will get the UK EV discount?

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 Electric Car Grant for new EVs sold under £3…
News
17 Jul 2025
Electric Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake will keep going long after rivals need to stop
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake - front action

Electric Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake will keep going long after rivals need to stop

The second of Merc’s new-era EVs is here in the form of an attractive estate with a huge range
News
14 Jul 2025