2019 Porsche Cayenne S Review

The luxury mid-size SUV market in Malaysia has always been a battleground for the three major German brands. Consumers seek the sense of identity brought by the brand image, the practicality of daily commuting, and occasionally want to experience driving pleasure. As the "sports representative" of this segment, the 2019 Porsche Cayenne S, with its 440 horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine and Porsche's iconic handling adjustments, aims to break the stereotype that "luxury SUVs are just transportation tools." The core purpose of this test drive is to verify whether it truly strikes a balance between power performance, daily practicality, and luxury in line with Porsche's brand positioning.

From a distance, the silhouette of the 2019 Cayenne S maintains the classic proportions of the Porsche SUV family. The body lines are relatively compact, without the bulky feel seen in some rival models within the same class. The most striking feature of the front end is the continuous LED daytime running lights, paired with the large lower air intake grille, creating a sporty and low-slung appearance. The two raised muscular lines on the hood extend from the A-pillar to the front grille, enhancing the sense of power. The side of the body adopts a fastback design, but the curvature is restrained, ensuring rear headroom is not affected. The 21-inch alloy wheels (optional configuration on our test car), paired with red brake calipers, provide strong visual impact. The rear end features continuous LED tail lights, which have become a hallmark of Porsche's design language in recent years and offer high recognizability when illuminated. The quad round exhaust setup explicitly communicates its performance orientation. The overall design merges luxury with a strong sporty DNA, making it clear at a glance that this is unmistakably a Porsche, even when standing still.

Inside, the Cayenne S features a driver-centric interior layout, with the center console tilted about 10 degrees toward the driver. In terms of materials, most touchable areas are covered in genuine leather. The door panels and central armrest are wrapped in soft materials, complemented by metal accents and piano black panels, delivering a luxurious feel. The centerpiece of the center console is a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's operation smoothness and response speed rank among the best in the same segment. The air conditioning controls combine physical buttons with touch-sensitive ones, while physical knobs ensure the ease of blind operation. The seats are leather sport seats with strong lateral support. The front seats come standard with 14-way electric adjustment, including lumbar and thigh support, ensuring comfort even during long drives. The rear seats also feature leather upholstery, and the backrest angle is adjustable. Legroom benefits from the 2895mm wheelbase, with a 175cm passenger having about two fists of space between their knees and the front seat backrest. The central armrest includes cup holders and storage compartments, providing adequate practicality. As for space, the trunk offers a regular capacity of 772L, which can be expanded to 1710L by folding down the rear seats. It accommodates items like strollers or golf bags with ease. The front central armrest features a layered design, and a wireless charging pad for smartphones (optional configuration) is located at the front of the armrest, making daily use convenient.

The 2019 Cayenne S is equipped with a 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 engine that delivers a maximum power output of 440PS and a peak torque of 550N·m. It is paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. Officially, the 0-100km/h acceleration takes 5.2 seconds, which can be reduced to 4.9 seconds when the Sport Chrono package is selected. During actual driving, the power response is swift at startup. The throttle pedal's initial tuning is sensitive but not jumpy, offering an evident push-back sensation with minimal pressure. Mid-to-high-range acceleration is even stronger. When driving at speeds above 80km/h, pressing deeper on the accelerator leads the transmission to downshift quickly, providing an instant power surge and confidence for overtaking. Driving modes include Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual. In Normal mode, the transmission shifts smoothly, ideal for daily commuting. When switching to Sport mode, throttle response becomes sharper, and the transmission holds lower gears, while the exhaust note becomes richer. The steering is precise, with minimal play, and provides clear feedback from the road, emblematic of Porsche's tuning style. The chassis features air suspension (optional configuration on the test car), which, in Normal mode, filters out most road bumps and handles speed bumps with softness. In Sport mode, the suspension stiffens, improving support and keeping body roll under control through corners, even evoking the sensation of driving a sedan. In terms of fuel consumption, urban congested conditions yield around 12-13L/100km, while highway driving offers approximately 8-9L/100km. For a 2.9L performance SUV, this fuel consumption is within the acceptable range.

During daily driving, the NVH control of the Cayenne S is well done. At speeds below 100km/h, tire noise and wind noise are not noticeable. In Sport mode, engine noise is appropriately transmitted into the cabin through the exhaust system to enhance the sporty atmosphere without affecting comfort. The seats strike a balance between wrapping and support in terms of sportiness and comfort, so even during long drives, the lower back and legs do not feel significant fatigue. The braking system performs steadily, with a moderate brake pedal travel, linear braking force output, and stable body posture during emergency braking.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2019 Porsche Cayenne S lies in its "balance": it offers class-leading power performance and handling while meeting family users' needs for space and comfort. Its sense of luxury and brand positioning align with the role of a premium mid-large SUV. Compared to competitors like the BMW X5 M50i or Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 AMG, the Cayenne S delivers a purer handling experience, and the brand premium adds a stronger sense of identity. However, its price (with a guide price of RM 940,000) is relatively higher within the segment of performance SUVs. This car is suitable for two groups of people: one group consists of middle-aged consumers who value driving pleasure but also need to cater to family usage; the other group includes young elites pursuing brand prestige and sporty performance. They do not need extreme off-road capabilities but wish to experience Porsche's driving quality in everyday commutes.

In summary, the 2019 Porsche Cayenne S is a luxury sports SUV with "no obvious weaknesses". It redefines the driving experience of luxury mid-large SUVs with Porsche's handling DNA without sacrificing practicality and a sense of luxury. If you are looking for a vehicle that meets daily commuting needs while offering enjoyable driving pleasure on weekends, it is a worthy choice.