The sports car of SUVs?
Upon unveiling the 2019 Cayenne, Porsche made a bold declaration that likely caused the most zealous of driving enthusiasts to cringe: It was designed to be the sports car within its segment. Can an SUV really have the chops to warrant such a comparison? Helping its cause, the Cayenne features more powerful engines, staggered-width tires, and plenty of other updates that promise greater performance over the old model. But are the Cayenne’s cosmetic changes sports car-worthy as well?
Any good sports car looks wide, and that’s the effect Porsche was going for on the new Cayenne. The grille, which adopts a rectangular shape, is wider and more aggressive than before. The creases on the hood are now closer together, and new angular headlights complement the sharper look. Overall, the front end appears much less bulbous than before.
It’s pretty hard to tell, but the 2019 Porsche Cayenne is about 3 inches longer than its predecessor, while keeping the same wheelbase measurement. Look closely and you’ll notice the new Cayenne features a more coupe-like roof compared to its predecessor. Thanks to its character lines and overall proportions, the new Cayenne appears just a tad more muscular now.
In the rear, you’ll notice the Cayenne receives slimmer lights with a new three-dimensional LED design. These lights are now connected together in a light bar that runs across the width of the rear. Porsche also spiffed up the license plate holder with a less traditional design, and it also gave the rear bumper a good revamping. Once again, a bold roof spoiler adds a bit of athletic flair.
If nothing else, the inside looks less cluttered than before. Unlike the previous Cayenne that was littered with buttons all the way down the center console, the new model features a touch-oriented cockpit. The first thing you’ll see when you open the driver door is a new 12.3-inch touchscreen that is not surrounded by buttons. Glass-look touch surfaces on the lower center console make the whole area look like a big smartphone.
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