10 Things You Need To Know About The 2014 Porsche Cayenne

Purists has had many years to get used to the idea of a Porsche SUV, and its worldwide acceptance is certainly helped by the fact that the 2014 Porsche Cayenne is such a competent people mover.  At different turns sporty, practical, powerful, and yes even fuel efficient, the 2014 Porsche Cayenne has dramatically expanded the brand's global appeal and also helped to maintain the automaker's profitability.  Although it's easy to spend a lot of cash on a Cayenne, the base model starts at a price point that is a lot more affordable than most would have guessed, helping to bring new customers into the Porsche fold who might not have previously considered one of the company's high performance cars.

Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2014 Porsche Cayenne.

01. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Stretches Porsche's Styling Language

Although it's bigger and heavier than any other model in the Porsche lineup, one look at the 2014 Porsche Cayenne quickly identifies it as a member of the family.  This is especially true when the SUV is seen head on, as its visage bears the slanted, semi-oval headlights that are such an important styling cue for the brand.  The Porsche Cayenne also features large air ducts integrated into its front fascia, LED running lights, and an aerodynamic profile that hint at its ability to move quickly as well as move passengers.

02. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Offers Mid-Size Accommodations

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne is a mid-size crossover suv, although it does tend towards the larger side of this particular market segment.  This is a boon for passengers, as the Porsche Cayenne's five-position seating arrangement offers a good amount of leg and shoulder room, even for those riding in the vehicle's second row.  Additional comfort is available via the Cayenne's sliding bench, which can also recline.  When it's time to haul cargo instead people, folding the back seat forward reveals just over 60 cubic feet of total storage space.

03. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Features Five Gasoline Engine Options

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne features more unique drivetrain options than any other model produced by the German automaker.  The Porsche Cayenne starts out with a 3.6-liter V-6 as its entry-level engine, and this unit generates 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.  Next up is the 4.8-liter V-8 found in the Cayenne S, which offers 400 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, followed by the Cayenne GTS and its more robust version of this same engine (420 horses and 380 lb-ft of torque).  The Porsche Cayenne Turbo is a real handful with its turbocharged version of the Cayenne GTS' eight-cylinder engine (500 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque), while the Turbo S trim trumps them all via a rating of 550 ponies and 553 lb-ft of twist from an even more aggressively force-fed edition of the Turbo's 4.8-liter V-8 mill.  The base Cayenne is offered with the choice between either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic, while the rest of the lineup is auto-only.

04. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Provides Two Alternative Fuel Choices

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne moves past traditional gasoline engines to offer a pair of consumption-conscious alternatives.  The Porsche Cayenne Diesel is built around a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 that produces 240 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.  Fuel economy for this model is listed at 19-mpg in city driving and 29-mpg on the highway, and its combined rating of 23-mpg is the best of what the SUV has to offer from an efficiency perspective.  There is also the Cayenne S Hybrid, which mates an electric motor to a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 in order to generate 380 horsepower and 427 lb-ft of torque.  The potent Cayenne S Hybrid's fuel mileage beats the diesel around town (20-mpg), but trails it on the highway (24-mpg).  Both the Diesel and the S Hybrid come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

05. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Comes With A Pair Of All-Wheel Drive Systems

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne is available exclusively with all-wheel drive - there are no rear-wheel drive models available.  The all-wheel drive system offered with the Porsche Cayenne varies, however, depending on which version of the SUV is ordered.  Each of the gas-only editions of the Porsche Cayenne feature an all-wheel drive system that is designed to shuttle torque where it is needed most, which means that most engine output is sent to the rear wheels unless slippage is detected.  The Cayenne Diesel and the Cayenne S Hybrid, however, offer an all-wheel drive system that maintains a steady front/rear torque split in a design that can also automatically lock its center differential in order to improve traction.

06. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Is More Off-Road Ready Than You Would Think

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne isn't intended as a trail-breaking all-terrain vehicle, but it does offer a number of features that can improve its chances in an off-road situation.  Both of its all-wheel drive systems are reasonably capable when leaving the pavement, and the gas model's 'active all-wheel drive' systems can take advantage of the ability to lock their center differentials at the touch of a button.  There is also the option of an air suspension system that can add significant inches to the SUV's ground clearance.  You'll want to be careful that you don't get hung up on any obstacles, however, as the Cayenne doesn't offer much in the way of underbody protection unless you spring for optional skid plates.

07. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Offers An Extensive Equipment List

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne base model starts out with dual automatic climate control, leather seats with power adjustment, Bluetooth connectivity, a touchscreen LCD display for interacting with the car's entertainment and communications features, heated mirrors and windshield washer nozzles, a power tailgate, 18-inch rims, and a CD player.  The S and S Hybrid models feature essentially the same equipment, as does the Diesel.  The Cayenne GTS provides standard air suspension, larger brakes, adaptive HID headlights, 20-inch rims, a body kit, sport seats and a sport steering wheel, while the Turbo rides on 19-inch rims, installs seat heaters front and rear, heats the steering wheel, includes a navigation system, and also comes with a surround sound audio system.  The new-for-2014 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S trim tops them all with special exterior styling cues, an adaptive suspension system, a torque-vectoring rear differential, and the Sport Chrono timing feature.

08. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Can Be Customized Via A Number Of Options

A lot of what you saw listed above as standard gear for the GTS, Turbo, and Turbo S trim levels can be added to lesser versions of the Cayenne as optional equipment.  Some of the more appealing features to be found on the options list include a high-end surround sound audio system from Burmeister, the previously-mentioned torque-vectoring rear differential that can direct engine power from one side of the Cayenne's axle to the other in order to improve cornering, and four zones of automatic climate control.  It's also possible to quiet down the Cayenne by way of special noise-insulated glass, and a panoramic sunroof is available to let the sunshine in.

09. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Delivers Comprehensive Safety Equipment

Each and every version of the 2014 Porsche Cayenne comes equipped with side impact airbags up front, a knee airbag for the driver, dual forward airbags, and side curtain airbags that protect the heads of those riding in both the front and rear positions.  Electronic stability control and traction control are also included free of charge.  If you want to make the Porsche Cayenne feel even safer, then the automaker will sell you side impact airbags for the rear seats, a blind spot warning system, and a rearview camera to assist with parking.  Parking sensors are also on the Cayenne's options list.

10. The 2014 Porsche Cayenne Presents A Broad Price Range

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne is actually one of the most affordable Porsche models to park in your driveway.  Sticking with the base Porsche Cayenne will see you forking out $49,600, which is almost $1,000 less than the Porsche Boxster roadster and a considerable $30,000 under the entry-level pricing for the flagship Porsche 911 Carrera.  Of course, adding options - or merely moving up the trim ladder - quickly inflates the Cayenne's MSRP.  The Cayenne Diesel is the next-most affordable model (MSRP $56,600), after which there is a $10,00 jump to the Cayenne S (MSRP $66,800).  The Cayenne Turbo S reigns supreme at the top of the SUV's pantheon with a heady asking price of $146,000 - $30,000 more than the Turbo.