Road test: Porsche Cayenne Diesel

It’s rare to find a car enthusiast who doesn’t like a Porsche — and the mighty Cayenne has proved the firm’s most lucrative model of all, with good reason.

It’s expensive to buy and run, but if you’re in the market for a premium, jack-of-all-trades 4X4, its combination of taut good looks, astonishing performance, luxury and comfort make it impossible to ignore.

It handles brilliantly, as I recently found on a trip to the hills; far more so than you would believe possible for a vehicle of this size and weight. It goes around corners like a sports car and the ride is reasonably good, too — if you keep it on the comfort setting; “sport” is just too hard for all but masochists.

The steering is engaging and accurate and, as for performance, the figures say it all, with 0-62mph delivered in just 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 137mph from its super-smooth, powerful three-litre V6 turbodiesel. It’s spacious inside and the cabin — with its clean lines — is a major draw. There’s even a decently large boot, and the Cayenne works off-road, too.

Could it be better? While refined, it’s not the quietest SUV at speed. However, it is the epitome of SUV comfort. If they made a seven-seater, sales would be stratospheric.

Porsche Cayenne Diesel
Top speed: 137 mph 0-62 mph: 7.3 secs CO2: 173g/km 
MPG: 42.8 
Price: £49,902