2012 Porsche Cayenne review
Porsche Cayenne highlights
Customer rating
(not yet rated)
Pros
- Excellent handling
- Upmarket image and interior
Cons
- Plentiful, expensive cost options
- Lacks the space of more practical rivals
Mileage (EPA estimate)
15 city, 22 highway, 17 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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The 2012 Porsche Cayenne puts sport into sport-utility
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.
All Porsche Cayenne years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Porsche Cayenne generation from 2012 to 2026
What is new for the 2012 Porsche Cayenne?
- Blind Spot Monitor, Smart Key, Manual Transmission, and Burmester Audio features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Base trim now comes with Auxiliary Audio Input as standard equipment.
- The Turbo trim now comes with Auxiliary Audio Input as standard equipment.
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Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
The 2012 Porsche Cayenne is not yet rated. Help future customers learn about a car you've owned and write a review.
RepairPal gave the Porsche Cayenne an overall reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks Porsche Cayenne 25th out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Porsche CayennePorsche Cayenne features and specs
Curious how Porsche Cayenne trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
Base 4WD/AWD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- CD Audio
- Cruise Control
- Heated Mirrors
- Leather Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Rear Defroster
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- A/C Seat(s)
- Automated Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- BOSE Sound System
- Burmester Audio
- CD Audio
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Full Leather Interior
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Manual Transmission
- Memory Seat(s)
- Navigation System
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Parking Sensors
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Rear Entertainment System
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Rear Sunshade
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
3.6L
Horsepower
300
Torque (ft-lbs)
295
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
22.4
Wheelbase
114"
Overall length
190.8"
Width
76.3"
Height
67.1"
Leg room
F 67.1"
Head room
F 39.6"
Front tires
P255/55R18
Rear tires
P255/55R18
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
1157/7716 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2012 Porsche Cayenne FAQ
The 2012 Porsche Cayenne is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Base: 16 MPG City and 23 MPG Highway
- S: 16 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
- Turbo: 15 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
The Porsche Cayenne received a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks the Porsche Cayenne as 24 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUV
The 2012 Porsche Cayenne has received an average 5.0 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2012 Porsche Cayenne, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2012 Porsche Cayenne Reviews.
The 2012 Porsche Cayenne has a maximum towing capacity of 7716 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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