The turbocharged model has extremely high performance for a sport utility vehicle. It will go from 0-100km-h (0-60mph) in 4.9 seconds, according to Car and Driver Magazine, which makes it faster than Porsche's own Cayman S. It's top speed is 275 km-h, making it the fastest production SUV in the world.

"On-road, it's demonstrably better than BMW's X5.", "The steering is 911 heavy, quick with only 2.7 turns and a tight turning circle, and has even more precision than the X5's. The Cayenne denies its mass by feeling quite maneuverable, even agile, but it's the ride comfort and body control that are most remarkable.

Ride comfort is one area that usually suffers in a high performance vehicle. Porsche addresses this with their optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). A system that originally just decoupled the stabilizer bars when the transfer case was in low range. 70-to-0 braking was a stellar 161 feet. The Turbo S shot to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and whizzed by the quarter-mile in 13.5 at 107 mph, just 0.1 second quicker to 60 mph and no quicker through the quarter than the Turbo. However, the extra horsepower is apparent at higher speeds, as the Turbo S was 5.7 seconds quicker to 140 mph and topped out at 166 mph versus 161.

Like all Cayennes, the Turbo S is at its best cruising the highway, empowered driver perched on the throne-like front seats, glaring down at the surrounding serfs. But at any time — after a slightly hesitant kick down from the transmission — confidence-inspiring, road-rage-inducing thrust is available. Good thing the S is extremely poised when it reaches triple-digit speeds, even in a downpour encountered. Steering feel is reasonably precise, and the limits are fairly high — 0.87 g on the skidpad — but not surprisingly, the nearly three-ton Cayenne never feels anything close to light on its feet.