It has now been just over a week since I traded my '11 LR4 HSE Lux for a '14 Cayenne Base. Thought some of you might like to know the good and the bad.
First I would have liked to get a new LR4 but here are some of the reasons I looked elsewhere. 1) The dealer had no '14's with the supercharged 6 to test drive. I did drive a '14 RR Sport with the same engine and was not overly impressed even on a vehicle that has gone thru the weight reductions we won't see on the LR4 for some time. 2) I prefer a vehicle with a gear shift rather than a button. I actually rest my hand on the shift lever a lot of the time. Habit I guess. 3) Having to wait from 3 to 6 months assuming the engine shortage issue is resolved was another issue. I would have ordered another LUX. 4) I owned the LR4 for 3 years and 7 months which is the longest I have owned a vehicle besides a sports car. I was getting antsy.
Here are some of the things missing from the Cayenne. Storage ****e. I miss those kittle bins above the wheels in the rear compartment. I miss that rectangular opening above the gear shift that held either a cell phone, glasses. (I think that had been eliminated on the '14's. I miss the ledge above the gloves boxes where I would stuff my Maui Jim sunglass case. I miss the second glove box. I miss the deep storage space/cooler in the arm rest. Quiet Not that I get much road or wind noise in the Porsche, I just think the LR4 was slightly quieter. Ride. Smooth ride The extra ~1400 lbs on the LR4 smoothed out the the crappy roads we have here in Michigan. The Porsche sounds a bit hollow when you hit are bouncing along.
Here are some of what I like about the Porsche. Now I understand that some of these will not be meaningful for those who like to get their vehicles off road etc. Seating I selected one with the 14 way seats option. Although the seat cushions are a bit smaller overall the seats are more comfortable. Mileage I never worried to much about mpg in the LR4 but it sure is nice to see the Porsche getting around 22 just running around town and that 27 gallon tank will let me get around 550 miles on a tank rather than 325. Handling The Cayenne feels like a sports sedan. You forget you are in a SUV. (I know the LR4 was really a truck)
So I have given up a smoother ride, interior volume and some versatility for better handling , better mileage and better electronics. It will be interesting to see if my next one will be the replacement for the LR4 or a Cayenne S. It is a toss up after a week.
First I would have liked to get a new LR4 but here are some of the reasons I looked elsewhere. 1) The dealer had no '14's with the supercharged 6 to test drive. I did drive a '14 RR Sport with the same engine and was not overly impressed even on a vehicle that has gone thru the weight reductions we won't see on the LR4 for some time. 2) I prefer a vehicle with a gear shift rather than a button. I actually rest my hand on the shift lever a lot of the time. Habit I guess. 3) Having to wait from 3 to 6 months assuming the engine shortage issue is resolved was another issue. I would have ordered another LUX. 4) I owned the LR4 for 3 years and 7 months which is the longest I have owned a vehicle besides a sports car. I was getting antsy.
Here are some of the things missing from the Cayenne. Storage ****e. I miss those kittle bins above the wheels in the rear compartment. I miss that rectangular opening above the gear shift that held either a cell phone, glasses. (I think that had been eliminated on the '14's. I miss the ledge above the gloves boxes where I would stuff my Maui Jim sunglass case. I miss the second glove box. I miss the deep storage space/cooler in the arm rest. Quiet Not that I get much road or wind noise in the Porsche, I just think the LR4 was slightly quieter. Ride. Smooth ride The extra ~1400 lbs on the LR4 smoothed out the the crappy roads we have here in Michigan. The Porsche sounds a bit hollow when you hit are bouncing along.
Here are some of what I like about the Porsche. Now I understand that some of these will not be meaningful for those who like to get their vehicles off road etc. Seating I selected one with the 14 way seats option. Although the seat cushions are a bit smaller overall the seats are more comfortable. Mileage I never worried to much about mpg in the LR4 but it sure is nice to see the Porsche getting around 22 just running around town and that 27 gallon tank will let me get around 550 miles on a tank rather than 325. Handling The Cayenne feels like a sports sedan. You forget you are in a SUV. (I know the LR4 was really a truck)
So I have given up a smoother ride, interior volume and some versatility for better handling , better mileage and better electronics. It will be interesting to see if my next one will be the replacement for the LR4 or a Cayenne S. It is a toss up after a week.
