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Porsche takes a step towards improved economy with their Cayenne Diesel which boasts 9.3L/100kms. The AWD turbo diesel is put to the test to see if this Porsche can deliver on its hefty price tag.

Summary

Price:         AUD$ 101,900

Engine:      3.0-litre V6 Turbo-Diesel

Power:      176kW

Torque:     550Nm

Trans:       6-Speed Auto, AWD

Weight:     2240 kgs

Fuel Cons:  9.3L/100kms

0-100km/h: 8.3s

What's Good

• Stellar Performance
• AWD and progressive steering makes for good handling capabilities
• Potential Off-Roader
• Good Economy

What's Bad

• Dull Interior
• Space-saver spare reduces off-road capability
• Pricier then competitors despite having less features

Drive

Despite having Audi's diesel engine sitting under the hood, this Cayenne still has Porsche's legs. You can swing through most corners without ever realizing that you are sitting behind the wheel of a heavy diesel. It will never be as agile as the Porsche 6 but it is definitely nimble enough to hold the Porsche name. City driving can be daunting at times because of the sheer bulkiness of the car, but the progressive steering handles it well.

The all wheel drive adds another level of traction to the Cayenne's ability to maneuver tricky corners. 18 inch rims take the cake. You never feel disconnected from the road and you are secure about every turn you make.

Although they are many haters out there, the Audi's V6 turbo diesel fared the Cayenne well. You are looking at 8.3 seconds from rest to 100km/h, which puts it ahead of most of the competition. The 550Nm of torque is enough to pull you through the low-revs especially if you decide to take this one into hilly terrains.

Off Road Capability

It is a welcome change when a manufacturer comes out with a 4WD that can actually be taken offroad.The Cayenne is no teetotaler, this one can go straight from the country club to a weekend hunting mountain goats.

It has enough ground clearance and torque to conquer rough and hilly surfaces. The low range gearing and differential lock further help you climb through tricky situations.

What frustrated us though was that Porsche felt they needed the extra few litres of booth space and kept in a space-saver spare. Severely diminishing the Cayenne's credibility as an off-roader. It is like taking the airbags out of a car to cut weight.

Price & Economy

You are looking at a starting price of AUD $101,900, but with a whole list of expensive and tempting options and other on-road costs try add another $7,000 to $12,000 to that. It wouldn't be the same without your 18in shoes after all. It is definitely on the pricey end and warrants a higher class of buyers. 

Fuel economy is nothing less then impressive in this beast. Porsche claims 9.3L/100kms on their diesel model which is significantly better then its petrol cousins. Word was that Porsche's engineers got on the carbon emissions band-wagon, by refining every curve in the car down to the last millimeter to cut drag. Audi's engines have also been updated to meet future possible regulations to cut down the carbon footprint left by their cars.

Also on the works is the extremely complex hybrid model which is said to have the whole of Porsche working towards providing more bang for your buck.  Efficiency is on Porsche's books and when they do something, they tend to do it well.

Safety & Comfort

The Cayenne's suspension is fluid enough to dampen bumps but you never feel disconnected to the road. The diesel is a bit louder and rougher then the petrol versions. Some may say that it is the price to pay for economy, but so many others including Audi's Q7 have been able to refine their diesel models that we felt it was inexcusable. 

The Cayenne comes standard with the basic six air bags, anti lock brakes, and parking sensors. Although complete, most competitors in the range offer more in this area.

Overall Rating

6 out of 10

The Cayenne diesel is a great option if you wanted an economical alternative to your Cayenne petrol. That is where it ends though. Competitors like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes M-Class are offering the same or more but with a friendlier price tag. With the Cayenne you feel as if you are paying about $70,000 for the car and another $30,000 for the badge.

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