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<p dir="ltr">Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.</p>


PORSCHE

CAYENNE

<p>The Porsche Cayenne offers all the performance of a Porsche sports car in a 4x4, but very high bills to go with it</p>


Used Porsche Cayenne 4x4 2003 - 2010

<p>Yes, buying and running any Cayenne will be extremely expensive, but it's very much 'If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it' territory.</p>

<p>Just buying a Cayenne will be expensive, even if there are plenty of cars outside the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/porsche">Porsche</a> network. In fact, this is virtually the most expensive way to buy a 4x4. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>s are renowned for their high prices as used cars, yet the Cayenne is even more expensive.</p>

<p>The big bills won't stop there, either. Routine maintenance costs are much higher than for rivals from <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes</a>, and you're unlikely to see more than 20mpg, even from the smallest engine. That's thirsty, even by 4x4 standards.</p>

<p>If you need unscheduled work, it's worse still. Warranty Direct says that Porsche labour rates are among the most expensive, and that almost no other brand has such high average repair bills.</p>

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The Porsche Cayenne offers all the performance of a Porsche sports car in a 4x4, but very high bills to go with it

<p>Choosing between the various Cayennes is basically a case of picking fast, very fast or seriously fast. All are very well equipped, and even the, err, 'basic' 250bhp V6 version hits 60mph in just over nine seconds, which is mighty impressive for a car weighing over two tonnes.</p>

<p>However, this version arrived only in early 2004, almost a year after the S and Turbo versions, and is still comparatively rare as a used car. The easiest model to find - and the best, in our opinion - is the S. This has a 340bhp V8 petrol engine that makes the best of what the car has to offer, but without costing the earth.</p>

<p>The 450bhp Turbo at the top of the range has quite phenomenal performance and air suspension. However, it costs more than the others to run and the difference in price between it and even the S runs into the tens of thousands.</p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

<p>We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement.</p>

<p>A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.</p>

Large SUV

<p>Warranty Direct says it has discovered of a few air-con failures, and some faults in the charging system, but little else.</p>

<p>There have been three recalls on the car, all affecting S and Turbo models built before the end of March 2003. The first was a result of part of the handbrake rubbing on the wiring loom, while the second concerned a potential fire in the fuel tank and the third was a result of possible problems with the front passenger seat.</p>

<p>Overall, as on other Porsches, we expect few problems as long as it is properly looked after. Owners who have posted reports online have given almost uniformly positive reviews, and Warranty Direct says that claim rates on Porsches are less frequent than on BMWs or Mercedes.</p>

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<p>The Porsche Cayenne is a proper Porsche. It performs and handles more like a sports car than any other 4x4, with sharp steering and incredible composure and agility for such a big car.</p>

<p>Down a twisty road, you simply forget you're in a 4x4 rather than a performance car. Despite this impressive showing on-road, it's also very good off-road, although whether you'd really take such an expensive car into the wilds is another question. The only real complaint is a firm ride.</p>

<p>Even from the driver's seat, the car is designed to ape the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">911</a>. The view over the bonnet and the dials are all very much the same as in its supercar brother.</p>

<p>Where it differs from the 911 is that it's also quite practical. It may not have the same space as in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Range Rover Sport</a>, but it's not far off, and the boot is very impressive.</p>

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Used Porsche Cayenne 4x4 2003 - 2010 reliability

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Used Porsche Cayenne 4x4 2003 - 2010 review

Warranty Direct says it has discovered of a few air-con failures, and some faults in the charging system, but little else.,There have been three recalls on the car, all affecting S and Turbo models built before the end of March 2003. The first was a result of part of the handbrake rubbing on the wiring loom, while the second concerned a potential fire in the fuel tank and the third was a result of possible problems with the front passenger seat.,Overall, as on other Porsches, we expect few problems as long as it is properly looked after. Owners who have posted reports online have given almost uniformly positive reviews, and Warranty Direct says that claim rates on Porsches are less frequent than on BMWs or Mercedes. 

What to look for when buying a Porsche Cayenne 2003 - 2010, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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Used Porsche Cayenne 4x4 2003 - 2010 reliability

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