The cavernous capacity of...
The cavernous capacity of the Cayenne
Driving around in the desert heat also made us appreciate the Cayenne's wonderful dual zone A/C system. It was cool and comfy, at least until the point we opened the doors and stepped out into a miserable wall of heat. One hundred and twelve degrees is perfectly fine as long as you don't have to work in it. Sweating like a dog, I broke out my gear and began shooting. As for my sidekick, well, she continued to enjoy the air-conditioned climate. Lucky her.
Later that evening, we found a great place to eat, one of those trendy hot spots with great-looking people and equally stunning cars. For that matter, the food was good too. Again, the Cayenne got front row parking. Tipping these blasted valets is going to kill me.
A fresh Pirelli Rosso tire...
A fresh Pirelli Rosso tire (275/45-19)
On our return drive the following morning, Jen noticed a sign that read "Retro Redux." It was a small boutique store that specialized in mid-century home furnishings. Before I could utter a single word, she practically grabbed the wheel and directed us into the lot. Within minutes she found a chic boomerang coffee table she swore was perfect and exactly what we needed. After a brief discussion, I agreed to make the purchase on one condition-only if it fits. Considering our baggage and all my photo gear I knew it would be an impossibility. Plus, the thing wasn't small. Tape measure in hand, I went out to the Cayenne and dropped its rear seats, then measured the total length and width of its surprisingly large cargo area (62.5 cubic feet). Long story short, a credit card was on the counter before I could say, "I don't believe it."
As far as service, the Cayenne has only required one extra visit to the dealer. In addition to regularly scheduled maintenance, it's been equipped with a new power steering reservoir, a new fuel regulator and a fresh set of Pirelli Rosso tires (275/45-19). We were a little surprised the tires didn't last longer, but the wear is probably normal given the Cayenne's 4,950-pound heft combined with its highly touted performance capabilities. And in any case, high-performance tires like the Cayenne's O.E. meats aren't known for their durability.
In the end, we made it home safe and sound, and with a rather large souvenir. The Cayenne performed beautifully in every respect. It was a bit pricey at the pumps, averaging 14 mpg, but that's rather decent considering its still an SUV. Perhaps the best.
Quick Stats
Total Mileage: 18,245
Fuel Economy: 14.3 mpg
Thumbs Up: Super sporty handling, vast rear cargo space
Thumbs Down: Tiptronic levers on the steering wheel face, filling it with gas