Hello everyone. This is Mina, the administrator of “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.” This series, Porsche Owners File, was born from readers’ requests to share the genuine voices of various Porsche owners. For the second installment, we bring you the story of “cara” from Osaka Prefecture and their journey from purchase to delivery of the 958.2 Cayenne Turbo (MY2016).

〘Owner Information〙
・Car: 958.2 Cayenne Turbo (MY2016)
・Pen name: cara
・Residence: Osaka
・Family: 5 members
・Previous cars: Maserati 3200GT (MY2000) → Porsche 911 Carrera S (997 early) (MY2005) → Porsche 1st Gen Cayenne S (MY2006) → Porsche 911 GT3 (997 late) (MY2010)
・Message to readers: The Cayenne Turbo offers a high-level experience of “driving,” “cornering,” and “stopping,” making it an incredibly safe and enjoyable car.

1) The Path to Purchase

Why I Became Interested in the Cayenne

The story goes back to 2005, when our three children were growing up, and we started looking for a “car spacious enough for our family of five to ride comfortably.” However, sedans, wagons, and minivans didn’t suit our tastes as a couple, so we focused on SUVs.

Fortunately, there were many dealerships near our home, so I took my somewhat reluctant wife along (laughs) and visited various dealers, but no car anywhere really captured her heart.

One day, after a family trip to USJ (Universal Studios Japan), we happened to spot a Porsche Center. Until then, we had never visited one, so I remember nervously stepping inside.

Inside, the Carrera GT was on display, and there were many customers. After explaining our purpose to the salesperson, we were immediately offered test drives of the Cayenne and Cayenne S.

Meanwhile, my wife instantly fell in love with the Cayenne’s clean, beautiful lines and uncluttered design. At that time, Cayennes were rarely seen on the streets, so for my wife, who disliked cars that were too common, this was almost a done deal.

How the Test Drive Went

My wife also mentioned that, although not as much as before, the car still felt very secure and protective. After test-driving other SUVs, we concluded that “the Cayenne was the best choice.” That led to the purchase of a 2006 first-generation Cayenne S.

Why I Decided to Buy the Cayenne Turbo

After owning the first-generation Cayenne, I truly appreciated its qualities. Later, I developed a desire to own a Cayenne Turbo at least once, and began considering the 958.2 Cayenne Turbo (MY2016). Originally, it was meant to replace the first-gen Cayenne S, but because it was so practical, we decided to keep both. As a result, we maintained a two-car setup with the first-gen Cayenne and the Cayenne Turbo until recently.

2) Options and Specifications (Including Standard Equipment)

For the Cayenne Turbo’s options, I chose them to maximize “driving performance” and “exhilaration when behind the wheel,” while also not compromising the “safety” and “comfort” expected from a family car.

〘Cayenne Turbo Options/Specifications〙
■Body Color: Carrara White Metallic (a white I had never owned before)
■Interior Color: Two-tone interior (Natural Leather: Espresso/Coniac)
■Wheels: 21-inch, 911 Turbo design E2 Wheels II (10×21)
■Chassis Features: Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), speed-sensitive power steering, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus)
■Interior: Seat ventilation (front and rear), seat heaters standard on Turbo, central locking, keyless entry, privacy glass (VG40), front and rear side airbags, head airbags, four-zone air conditioning system (Climatronic), secondary evaporator, seat belts in espresso color, soft-close doors, comfort lighting package, comfort memory package, and driver memory package

3) Delivery Process

The delivery took seven months.

・March 2016: Dealer informed me of an available Cayenne Turbo slot and placed the order
・October 2016: Delivery

4) Porsche Performance Experienced After Ownership

① “Driving,” “Cornering,” and “Stopping”

The 958.2 Cayenne Turbo (MY2016) is a car that perfectly embodies the trio of “driving,” “cornering,” and “stopping.” I have owned three different Porsches for different purposes, and whether SUV or two-seater, I’m always amazed at how similar the fundamental driving characteristics are. Riding the Cayenne Turbo reaffirmed how Porsche has consistently maintained these essential qualities across all model ranges.

② Horsepower and Acceleration

With 520 PS, the Turbo has more than enough power. Mainly driven daily by my wife, it behaves impeccably and makes highway merging very easy, which she really appreciates.

③ Torque Converter Automatic Transmission

Currently, only the Cayenne uses a torque converter automatic, and it’s very comfortable. While PDK may evolve further, at this point, the Cayenne’s low-speed smooth shifting is preferable.

④ Vehicle Height

Being an SUV, it’s somewhat tall, so getting in and out isn’t as easy as a sedan at first. The air suspension allows height adjustment front and rear, but I never used it just for entry or exit.

⑤ Ride Comfort

The ride is flawless—utterly comfortable. Perhaps because it’s a Turbo, there’s a slight turbo lag before the swift acceleration kicks in. Thanks to PDCC, despite its size, there’s almost no body roll on gentle curves. This also makes the rear seats comfortable, which the kids appreciated. Compared to the first-gen 955 Cayenne S (MY2006), the Turbo feels lighter and less like driving a tank.

⑥ Fuel Economy

Fuel economy was around 4 to 5 km/L, which is understandable.

⑦ Cargo Capacity

Its exceptional cargo capacity, unmatched by other model ranges, is impressive. Our family could load anything, even bicycles, with ease.

5) Must-Have Options for Future Porsche Purchases

I plan to purchase the Cayenne SE Hybrid when it launches in Japan next year. Recently, I’ve started questioning the idea that “Porsche options are expensive but essential,” and since the SE Hybrid should come with basic comfort features, I want to experience a completely bare-bones model this time.

I believe Porsche’s philosophy is that “basic performance is sufficient in the standard model, with various options available for owners who want more.”

6) Points of Concern

I chose the two-tone interior in Espresso/Coniac, but I think black would have felt more subdued and comfortable. Also, with seat ventilation, the perforations on the seat surface are numerous, and at one point, something caught on it and tore the leather. The repair cost was about 300,000 yen.

7) Overall Impression

The Cayenne Turbo offers a high-level experience of “driving,” “cornering,” and “stopping,” making it a car you can enjoy with complete peace of mind. Porsche’s hallmark trio is consistently instilled across all models, not just the 911 sports car. Initially, I hesitated because of its size, but it’s surprisingly easy to handle.

Once you understand Porsche’s driving dynamics, you might find other cars intimidating to drive. My wife is one such person.

Recently, I test-drove the new Cayenne S, and it was an incredible evolution. It felt incredibly light in a good way, yet you could feel the weight firmly on all four wheels. Among all the Cayennes I’ve driven, including test cars, it was the first time I thought, “Maybe the non-Turbo is better.” My wife shared a similar impression.

8) What Porsche Means to Me

To me, Porsche is like family.

Porsche is a brand I always want to own at least one car from. It offers a strong sense of protection, allowing my family to ride safely and me to drive with confidence. Riding the new Cayenne, I feel its dynamics continue to evolve, so Porsche will remain my brand of choice for years to come.

〘Administrator’s Thoughts〙
I recently test-drove the new Cayenne as well, and it completely changed my image of SUVs. As cara said, I truly felt that “no matter the model, it’s still a Porsche.” I look forward to receiving more insights from cara about other Porsche models. Thank you very much, cara!