Drove a Cayenne S - Wasn't Impressed

[onewhippedpuppy]

With kid #1 driving, my wife and I have considered unloading her 2017 Ford Flex Limited Ecoboost for something a little smaller and more sporty, but still with some practicality. So we took a really clean 2011 Cayenne S out for a test drive. It was a relatively high option S model with full leather, air suspension, navigation, etc. Sadly we came away pretty unimpressed. Compared to the Flex the Cayenne was less responsive, felt less powerful, and rode more softly (even in Sport). You'd also be hard pressed to carry more than 4 in the Cayenne for any real distance, where you can fit 6 into the Flex in comfort. The Cayenne did have better steering weight (but not feel), better seats, and a much nicer interior in terms of materials and assembly. Finally the Cayenne was substantially more expensive, which wasn't a shock.

I honestly expected to be selling the Flex and buying a Cayenne, but we were both totally underwhelmed. So instead I think I will be installing H&R springs, a sport exhaust, and a tune on the Flex. If nobody makes the car we want, I'll make it myself!

[javadog]

I've only driven one Cayenne, probably a newer model than that, but it had a V-6 in it. I was totally underwhelmed, wouldn't even consider it. It felt heavier than my old three-quarter ton super duty Ford pick up...

I have a friend that has a diesel Cayenne and he loves it, but I've never driven it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

My summary level take was that it felt like a luxury SUV pretending to be sporty.

Not sure why I'm surprised, I had a 2009 GTS that was ok but not incredible either. At the time I had the GTS and a C63 AMG, I drove that AMG a LOT.

[crb07]

A friend bought a GTS and took it in for service. The loaner was a diesel. He likes it better. Looks like a few companies selling chips for the diesels as well. I am looking at the Cayenne or F Pace diesel for my next dd.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

With kid #1 driving, my wife and I have considered unloading her 2017 Ford Flex Limited Ecoboost for something a little smaller and more sporty

Which Ecoboost engine is in the Flex?

[pavulon]

955 and 957 turbos are abundant and must be almost fully depreciated. Wouldn't 500-550 turbocharged horsepower offset a lot of shortcomings?

[fastfredracing]

I just drove ours for the first time in a few months last weekend. It is kind of a big bloated pig, but wholey cow , does it pour it on .
I forgot how quick it was.

[Halm]

Must be a relative comparison. We came from a series of 3.0 X5's and then an Audi Q5 2.0. Our base Cayenne feels great. Absolutely love it. It is ok around town but absolutely the best long distance cruiser we have ever owned.

[fintstone]

It sounds like what you were realty looking for was a Cayenne Turbo. It does everything better...at a relatively small increase in cost (used).

[berettafan]

Rode in a cayenne for several hours some years ago. lost any interest I might have had in one right then. a year later I spend quite a few hours as a passenger in a flex.

The Flex is, IMO, a very underrated vehicle. Major space, very comfy and plenty peppy with the ecoboost.

[onewhippedpuppy]

The Flex is basically a Taurus SHO underneath, so it's the 3.5L 365 HP twin-turbo V6 and AWD, 8-speed automatic that actually works really well with the Ecoboost especially in sport. I have to claim a new appreciation for it now. A tune will really wake it up based on the results I saw with my Ecoboost F150.

A Cayenne turbo would be great, but the Flex is probably worth $30k tops on the used market. $30k in a 2011+ Cayenne gets you a pretty nice S, but it's hard to touch a turbo or GTS for under $40k. I honestly don't want anything before a 2011, the interior is pretty unimpressive and I don't care for the styling.

[Nickshu]

I looked at Cayennes as well and was not impressed. I don't find them attractive styling-wise either, in any generation. We owned a Flex as well and enjoyed the vehicle, I guess we have similar tastes.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

With kid #1 driving, my wife and I have considered unloading her 2017 Ford Flex Limited Ecoboost for something a little smaller and more sporty, but still with some practicality.

Macan too small? It would certainly fill the smaller/sportier requirement, but practicality takes a hit obviously.
There are plenty of them out there in S trim in the low/mid $30's. You can likely find a sub-$40k Turbo if you cast a wide-enough net.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yeah too small, we need a back seat big enough to use for three people at least around town.

[HardDrive]

[pavulon]

C'mon...be reasonable!!

[Zeke]

Interesting thread. I was hoping to get a Cayenne sometime down the road to replace an aging Jag XJ6. Not sure after reading this. I can always find another Jag.

[Eric Coffey]

Pffft, you heathens. Anything less than this is...uncivilized:

[David]

When I first got my CTT I felt like my well set up Silverado handled better. What the Silverado didn’t have was an awesome interior, sport seats, big brakes and big horsepower. Could the US build a better Cayenne? Or could I build a better one from a Tahoe, Explorer, etc? Probably, but for less money than a few year old Cayenne? Doubtful.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by David

When I first got my CTT I felt like my well set up Silverado handled better. What the Silverado didn’t have was an awesome interior, sport seats, big brakes and big horsepower. Could the US build a better Cayenne? Or could I build a better one from a Tahoe, Explorer, etc? Probably, but for less money than a few year old Cayenne? Doubtful.

Well considering that a comparable Cayenne TT would cost me somewhere in the ballpark of $70k I’d be willing to bet I could come pretty close. I could have a lot of fun with about $40k.