[Auto/Moto] The Porsche Cayenne Is a Benchmark for Fun SUVs

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The world was a different place when the original Porsche Cayenne hit dealers in 2002. The internet was barely a thing for most Americans, Ferrari’s single-clutch paddle shifters were considered cutting-edge, and the term "performance SUV" hadn’t been invented. The Cayenne changed the SUV landscape, giving enthusiasts hope that big, useful utility vehicles could also evoke joy behind the wheel. And 22 years later, even the base V-6-powered Cayenne is proof that practicality and fun aren’t mutually exclusive.Spotting a 2024 Cayenne is tough unless you know what to look for. Its overall design appears nearly identical to the outgoing model, with only minor changes to things like the headlights, taillights, and bumpers. Only the most eagle-eyed will spot changes like the reshaped fenders and hoodline. The old Cayenne wasn’t an ugly car, and this model continues the trend with sleek, sporty lines reminding you that, yes, this is still a Porsche.The easiest way to spot a 2024 model is to peek inside. The cabin’s gone through an extensive revision that’s heavy on the tech. In front of the steering wheel sits a new 12.6-inch curved digital display that acts as the gauge cluster. It pairs with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen in the center of the dash. Between the two screens is where you’ll find the tiny gear selector, a design borrowed from the 918 Spyder hypercar. Things get more controversial farther down the center stack. The two columns of buttons flanking either side of the shifter are gone, replaced by a single cluster of buttons that include rockers for climate control and a knob for volume control. Other items, like seat heating and climate functions, are controlled by buttons. But they’re not normal buttons, nor are they touch-sensitive buttons. When you press down on any button, the entire cluster of buttons moves down, as if it were just one huge physical button.It’s a strange middle ground that aims to draw the line between the last-gen car’s touch-sensitive, haptic-feedback buttons (which, presumably, everyone hated) and individual physical buttons, which would probably cost a lot more to make. The design takes a bit to get used to, but you forget about it after a few hours. The resulting fingerprint-covered buttons are tougher to ignore, however. The rest of the interior is a lovely place to spend time. The seats are comfortable, supportive, and provide an extremely wide range of adjustability. It’s one of the few driver’s seats where I don’t immediately hit the lowest-to-the-floor setting while trying to find my optimal driving position. Everything you touch feels solid, well-built, and expensive. We’d recommend steering away from the Mojave Beige interior color found in our tester, though. It might be a nice pairing for the Montego Blue Metallic exterior paint, but it scuffs easily and too closely resembles the color of human skin.

https://www.motor1.com/reviews/720465/2024-porsche-cayenne-v-6-review/