My used 2004 V6 3.2 Porsche Cayenne was purchased from eBay two years ago. Unbeatable value. Although it was a risk, what a fantastic car this is. Despite having 165k miles on it, the car is still dependable, cozy, performs admirably, and beats everyone to the lights. One drawback is the 22 mpg average fuel usage. My family of five will have plenty of room, and the boot is very roomy. Love the style of it too, especially the front. Be aware of known issues, such as the boot’s inability to stay open due to a faulty locking mechanism. I’ve also experienced issues with the air bag dashboard light, which Porsche eventually fixed. Aside from that, the car is fantastic. However, the original Sat Nav isn’t functioning correctly. Luxury PS80k for a fraction of the cost.
In This Article...
How does the Porsche Cayenne 2020 stack up?
In around 16 years, Porsche will release the new Cayenne model for 2020. With this SUV, things have undoubtedly improved, but they are still far from perfect.
They receive a 3 out of 5 J.D. Power reliability rating, which is considered to be ordinary. So, while it’s not fantastic, it’s also not terrible. Porsche is currently doing something right.
With 22 mpg on the highway, fuel efficiency isn’t very impressive, according to U.S. News & World Report. It’s worse if you select the Turbo because you only get 19. But what sets this SUV distinct is its performance.
The 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged engine in the Cayenne S replaces the 3.0-liter engine that comes standard in the Cayenne. With a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 under its hood, the Turbo beats them all.
SERPRESULT
On Edmunds, you can read all 198 consumer vehicle reviews for the used 2004 Porsche Cayenne or contribute your own review.
It rides well, bends accurately and level with precision steering, has linear throttle and brake control, and is really comfortable.
Engine Reliability of the Porsche Cayenne
Base editions of the Cayenne were powered by 3.2-liter V6 engines created by Volkswagen beginning in 2003 and continuing until 2010. These lumps featured two cylinder banks sharing a single cylinder head, however they mostly consisted of VW parts despite the fact that the intake manifolds were exclusive to Porsche. They are referred to as VR6 engines, and a wide range of applications relied on them. The main known challenges for these power plants are timing chain and water pump troubles, but with routine maintenance, they can approach or surpass the 200,000-mile mark.
Plastic coolant pipes that were fractured in early Cayenne Turbo models with the 4.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine caused coolant to flow onto the engine and cause it to overheat. These plastic pipes have mostly been replaced by metal versions. If you come across a model that still has the plastic coolant pipes, you should immediately replace them. The 4.8-liter engine that the Cayenne’s S, GTS, and Turbo acquired in 2008 did not have these difficulties, leaving only the coolant piping troubles.
The air/oil separator on the 4.8-liter engine is one item to watch out for (also known as the PVC valve). This is a component of the Porsche Cayenne’s emissions system, and when it malfunctions, it can cause anything from a slight inconvenience to a significant problem that needs to be fixed. You should keep an eye out for oil consumption, smoke coming from the exhaust pipes, a rough idle, and a corresponding check engine light when it begins to fail. If this component needs to be replaced, it won’t cost too much—it costs around $200.
Overall reliability for the first-generation Cayenne was evaluated at 3.5 out of 5 stars by U.S. News & World Report.
basis of the second generation Although they were larger at 3.6 liters, Cayenne models had V6 engines that were comparable to those in the first-gen cars. They had a comparable reputation for reliability with few issues and higher horsepower—296 as opposed to the 3.2-liter’s 250—thanks to the virtually identical architecture. Apart from the obvious increase in displacement, the main distinction between these two engines was the installation of direct injection.
For the Cayenne S, a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 was released in 2015. Porsche kept developing turbo technology, further optimizing the engines, and making them both incredibly dependable and powerful in the process.
According to WhatCar, certain automatic transmission faults were recorded for early second-gen cars, so it’s crucial to take one for a test drive before signing any paperwork. You should be on the lookout for harsh shifts, usually in second and third gear, as well as the gearbox occasionally briefly shifting out of gear when moving. Given that the Warner Aisin transmission was utilized, these gearbox problems are not specific to the Cayenne. These are notorious for having valve body failures that necessitate rebuilt units being changed, which usually comes with a heavy price tag of $1500-$2500 for parts and labor.
Finally, the 2019 model year marked the beginning of the third and current generation. Starting with the base 3.0 liter V6, all of the Cayenne’s engines are now turbocharged. Even after three years in production, this unit, which is shared by several Volkswagen models, appears to be holding up well. The same holds true for Porsche’s more potent models, such as the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 in the Cayenne GTS and the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the Turbo.
Avoid purchasing a Porsche Cayenne between 2004 and 2011.
Although the majority of pre-owned Porsche Cayennes are secure to buy, you should stay away from the 2004 and 2011 models. There have been multiple reports of cooling systems, drivetrain, and electrical issues with the 2004 Porsche Cayenne. You’ll probably have to spend more than $3,000 to have one of these problems corrected.
The worst model to buy is from the 2011 year, as it has numerous engine issues that manifest very early in the life of the vehicle. Engines have failed at less than 40,000 miles, brakes have prematurely worn out at about 20,000 miles, and engines have overheated at 15,000 miles. Avoid the 2011 Porsche Cayenne at all costs because it has the worst engine failure of any model from that year.
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Are Porsche Cayenne vehicles dependable?
The reliability of the Porsche Cayenne The expected dependability rating for the 2022 Porsche Cayenne is 81 out of 100. J.D. Power predicts that reliability scores will range from 91 to 100, with 91 to 100 being the best, 81 to 90 being great, 70 to 80 being medium, and 0-69 being fair and below average.
Are vintage Porsche Cayennes trustworthy?
Is a pre-owned Porsche Cayenne 4×4 trustworthy? happy news Our previous reliability evaluations indicate that this generation of Cayenne is extremely well-built and dependable. Most reported issues were resolved under warranty and within a week.
Are Porsche Cayenne repairs expensive?
The total yearly cost of car maintenance for the Porsche Cayenne is $1,231. The table that follows provides a detailed ranking of each car in this overall scheme for comparison’s sake. The Porsche Cayenne is far less expensive to maintain than the average car, which costs $651 year, given that it has an average cost of $1,231.
Which Porsches are trustworthy?
The J.D. Power VDS not only gives the Porsche brand good marks for dependability and dependability, but specific Porsche models have also won recognition and prizes.
How durable is a Porsche Cayenne?
The Porsche Cayenne offers a variety of engine options, from a V-6 engine to a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine or the plug-in hybrid, leaving you unsure of whether you are driving a sports car or an SUV. J.D. Power named the SUV as the top Upper Midsize Premium SUV in 2021. Additionally, the 2021 Cayenne made the Editors’ Choice List of Car and Driver. A
The Cayenne has the longest possible lifespan of any Porsche vehicle, lasting an average of 11.3 years and between 200,000 and 250,000 kilometers. So fasten your seatbelts; your SUV just got a little hotter.
Which Porsche is the most trustworthy?
One of the most dependable vehicles in the whole Porsche series, according to PCarwise, is the 911 Carrera. One of the few Porsche models with comparatively few performance and reliability complaints from customers is this one. The Porsche 911 Carrera has consistently received accolades for being the most dependable vehicle the automaker has ever made throughout its long and illustrious history.
Are Porsche Cayenne replacement parts expensive?
Generally speaking, the Porsche Cayenne does not cost significantly more to own than other cars. Some drivers are concerned that maintaining premium cars will be costly. On rare occasions, parts may be pricey, but a number of considerations balance this expense.
Does the Porsche Cayenne use little fuel?
The driving range of the Porsche Cayenne in 2022 is 376.2 miles per tank of gas. The V-6 engine achieves 19 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the interstate. The more powerful V-8 engine variant achieves 20 mpg on the freeway and 15 mpg in the city, with an estimated 17 mpg average.
Do Porsche Cayenne’s cost a fortune?
Although a used Porsche Cayenne that has not been properly maintained might be a money hole, the SUV/crossover is more powerful than you might realize. Even while some of its engines had shortcomings, not all Cayenne powertrains did.
Two alternative engines were available for the first-generation Porsche Cayenne: a 4.5-liter V8 and a 3.2-liter VR6 developed from a VW, according to Automobile. The ‘M48’ V8 is turbocharged in the Cayenne Turbo and naturally aspirated in the S. Unfortunately, according to Revolution Porsche and Evo, pre-2007 Cayenne S cars have a history of scoring their cylinder walls due to the failure of their “Lokasil” coating.
But Porsche fixed issue in 2008 with the 4.8-liter “M4801” V8 engine. According to FCP Euro, this engine features a different cylinder liner and block that doesn’t have the scoring problem. Overall, the Porsche engine is dependable; the only problem is that the old plastic coolant pipes are starting to split, according to CarThrottle. PCar Wise notes that stronger metal substitutes are now readily available.
In 2008, the Porsche Cayenne also switched from a 3.2-liter VR6 engine to a 3.6-liter unit. Although the VR6 has its flaws, it is a strong and dependable engine when equipped with contemporary parts. Additionally, according to CarThrottle, Motor Reviewer notes that the 3.6-liter VR6 doesn’t seem to experience the same ignition-coil problems, or at least not as frequently. According to PCar Wise, the only problem is age-related PCV valve failure.