2012 Porsche Cayenne

Extensively redesigned in 2011, the 2012 Porsche Cayenne has a sporting character that marks it as a favorite SUV among people who love to drive. It delivers superior handling, excellent performance, and a premium five-seat cabin. It’s not alone in doing so, with the BMW X5, Range Rover Sport, and Infiniti FX offering a similar mix, but none achieve it with quite the on-road poise of the Porsche Cayenne.

There's a trade-off for that: The Cayenne is at the more expensive end of the market, and plentiful cost options bump up the price further. All models are all-wheel drive, including the entry-level Cayenne V6 with 300 hp, the midlevel Cayenne S V8 with 400 hp, and the range-topping Cayenne Turbo with a scintillating 540 hp. There's a 380-hp Cayenne S Hybrid, too, if you have an eye on fuel economy. All impress, but the Turbo really does have the capacity to shock, especially if you option the 2012 Power Kit upgrade, which increases the power by 40 hp.