Porsche Cayenne S: Where luxury meets everyday practicality

"Where are the binoculars?" is my first thought as I look at the bright interior of my beige Cayenne Coupe. "Binoculars" is our editorial office's colloquial term for the button that opens the active exhaust in a Porsche. It's not there. Does this mean it will not be loud? Indeed, it seems it won't.

This car is configured not as a machine for racing through winding mountain roads but as a haven where you can unwind after a long day at work. It's like a teleport to your living room. When at the end of a challenging day, you wish to be home swiftly, you're almost there just by stepping into your Cayenne. The leather seats envelop you comfortably, and the multi-directional adjustments allow for a position as agreeable as your favourite armchair at home. Add some music from the excellent Burmester audio system, and you're set to go.

The V8 engine emits a gentle murmur to indicate it's ready to accelerate, but does not impose. It harmoniously complements the Cayenne's interior offering. The automatic gearbox shifts quickly yet smoothly, and the well-insulated cabin distances you from outside disturbances that could hinder your relaxation.

I haven’t driven such a relaxing vehicle in a long time. In terms of its balanced character, which might seem peculiar, this Cayenne resembles a Volvo XC90 the most. However, the Swedes no longer provide an engine with such a delightful level of smoothness, because, let's face it, a strong V8, when handled gently, is unrivalled in this respect unless you add another four cylinders.

Sitting in a traffic jam during peak hours in a Porsche Cayenne is quite different from standing still in many other cars. It makes me appreciate that Porsche’s price list encompasses not only sportiness and high-quality craftsmanship but also superb comfort, alongside the brand's prestige. If you value this, there's a key option in the configurator you cannot overlook.

I have always described the adaptive suspension in the Cayenne as an upgrade to a fantastically sporty character when switched to Sport mode and further to Sport+. The engineers' heroic efforts in transforming this substantial SUV into a model worthy of the gold-red-black crest on the bonnet have consistently attracted admiration due to the Cayenne's exceptional traction. Let's consider it from another angle.

I am in Sport mode driving along the expressway. The suspension communicates the chaotic condition of the asphalt below, including welds, cracks, and especially the undulations that gently but persistently sway the car. I turn the mode selector knob to Normal. Suddenly, I begin to glide. The Porsche Cayenne feels as though it’s hovering just above the ground.

I previously viewed it differently. Moving from Normal in the GTS version to Sport mode exposed the Cayenne’s dynamic side, which is not lacking in the S version. If you wish to drive fast, you certainly can. It’s still a Porsche, still a sporty SUV. But in the configuration I'm discussing today, other aspects take precedence.

For complete satisfaction with this configuration, I missed the adaptive cruise control. It's an optional extra you can add to your configuration.

Importantly, the Porsche Cayenne S, despite its large engine, demonstrated decent fuel consumption. However, I was surprised it wasn’t better, and here's why. On national roads, I reduced consumption to 30 miles per gallon. The expressway saw it fall to 26 miles per gallon, and the motorway to 19 miles per gallon. While these figures aren't poor for such a large V8 vehicle, let's revisit the past. In 2020, on the same route, the Cayenne GTS Coupe achieved 32 miles per gallon, despite less favourable conditions and less smooth driving, as I noted in my review. I genuinely felt there was potential to reach a consumption level starting with a seven. This time, those 30 miles per gallon represented the lower limit.

To be honest, such differences in fuel consumption are minor for a vehicle of this size and nature. Ultimately, no one purchases a Cayenne S primarily for fuel savings.

Remember, we are discussing a 474-horsepower car with a top speed of 170 mph, accelerating to sixty in 4.7 seconds with the Sport Chrono package. Moreover, the Cayenne S accommodates five people in its spacious interior and offers 554 litres of boot space. This space can be expanded to 1,502 litres if required by folding down the rear seat backs.

The prices for the Porsche Cayenne S Coupe start at £121,700, which is £23,000 more than the 353-horsepower standard Cayenne Coupe, starting at £98,500. When purchasing, it's advisable to weigh the perhaps less sleek but more practical body style. The regular SUV is £5,000 cheaper in the S version and provides a 698-litre boot that can be conveniently used up to the roof (giving 772 litres).

Ultimately, whether you choose the more practical or more stylish body, opting for the Porsche Cayenne S offers no wrong answers. You receive a large, exceptionally comfortable car with a sporty pedigree.