by John Sarkis

Created on: May 03, 2008   Last Updated: April 02, 2011

If you're the type of individual who believes that "perception becomes reality," then it doesn't get any better than owning a Porsche for around $50,000; however, if you don't believe in this "new age ideology" nonsense, then you might not have much to say about this Porsche SUV....

PROS: It's a Porsche! Based on the VW Toureg, this car offers "Porsche cues" at "VW prices." Some say: every car wants to look like a Porsche. This cliche is very true when it comes to this car: from the interior to the exterior; Porsche cues abound. Although it has one thing other Porsches don't have...interior room! For once in the life of Porsche; a person can look good, and still take the car on long trips. Four individuals fit quite comfortably, and if you're worried about luggage...worry no more: Finally there's a car from Porsche; were the owner doesn't have to take "carry-ons" on the road. "Get out the Samsonite"; trunk space abounds in this SUV model from Porsche: all for a plebian price!

CONS: First of all: even though an improvement on the engine was made; like most German cars, this one is very heavy. A V6, is a bit on the light side of things. Even with its current a more potent V6; most car engineers/experts, find this model a bit sluggish...although a big improvement from the previous V6; but what do you expect for a nicely equipped Porsche costing around $50,000. The 3.6 V6 engine isn't as much the problem as the car is. It has 290 horsepower; which is actually quite decent by any stretch of the imagination. When one takes into account all the nice cars available in this price range; the purchase becomes even more egregious. The car isn't that big to begin with; it's actually quite small when one takes into consideration the price, space, and quality. Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura make better SUV's than this model from Porsche (actually a VW), a fact the well informed consumer is aware of. If you get the V8 version; expect to blow at least $65-$75,000. The Turbo is well over $100,000. If you didn't know which car you were in, the turbo or the base V6 model: you'd never thinkg these two cars were related at all. The Turbo is a true Porsche; in fact: the turbo takes this baby up to five-hundred horsepowers! But the privilege will cost you upwards of $50-75,000 additional dollars!

When Porsche first came up with the idea of an SUV; many of Porsche's shareholders laughed. They never thought the public would be interested in a truck from Porsche. With SUV's being the hottest things on the planet: it didn't take an Einstein to figure out that people would be interested in an SUV with Porsche cues. Since Porsche didn't have the needed platform; they turned to VW for aid. The result was the Toureg being transformed into the Cayenne.

Learn more about this author, John Sarkis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.