The 2011 Porsche Cayenne

A successful volume-seller for good reason, the Porsche Cayenne is one of the top sport and luxury SUVs available. MotorAuthority gives the 2011 Cayenne an overall rating of 8.

Power is never short in the Porsche Cayenne model line, even if you opt for the base V-6--you'll still get 300 horsepower. Opt for the Cayenne S and you'll get a 400-horsepower 4.8-liter V-8 engine. The Cayenne Turbo adds a pair of turbochargers, bringing output to 500 horsepower, and the Hybrid pairs a 333-horsepower supercharged V-6 with a 47-horsepower electric drive system.

Seven years after the model was first introduced, Porsche has redesigned and arguably reinvented its popular Porsche Cayenne SUV with its latest generation.

Other interior features include Bluetooth, Bose surround sound and a Burmester high-end surround sound system.

ThePorsche Cayenne range starts out in base Cayenne form, featuring a 300 horsepower 3.6-liter V6. One step up in the Cayenne S, packing the Panamera’s 400 horsepower 4.8-liter V8 engine. The Cayenne Turbo sits atop the Cayenne hierarchy, receiving its power via a 500 horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8.

Those wanting performance and excellent fuel economy in the U.S. will have one other choice within the Cayenne range — the Cayenne S Hybrid.

The electric motor adds another 47 horsepower.
The base Porsche Cayenne now achieves 15 mpg city, 22 highway with a six-speed manual, and 16 city, 23 highway with the eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic.
The base-level Porsche Cayenne hits the U.S. market with an MSRP of $46,700. Moving up to the mid-level Cayenne S will set buyers back $63,700, with the fuel-efficient Cayenne S Hybrid listing from $67,700. The range-topping Cayenne Turbo model is set to carry an MSRP of $104,800.

The Porsche Cayenne is an SUV for those who would rather be driving a sports car. The hybrid model isn’t the only big news for the Cayenne. Porsche has redesigned all Cayenne models with updated styling, more power, and even better fuel economy. The Cayenne's biggest shortfall is definitely its price. The Touareg Hybrid, which is also virtually identical to the Cayenne S Hybrid, starts at around $51,000 -- considerably less than the Cayenne Hybrid’s base price of $67,700. If you’re looking at a luxury hybrid, also consider the new Mercedes ML450 Hybrid, which starts at $55,000 and still costs considerably less than the Cayenne S Hybrid.

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne comes in several trims: the base Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and all-new Cayenne S Hybrid. For 2011, Porsche has dropped the super-powerful GTS and Turbo S models.