Makes›Porsche›Cayenne›2005

2005 Porsche Cayenne

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Porsche Cayenne
Pictured: Porsche Cayenne (III, Facelift) – f 01012025. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 4WD /S, 4dr SUV 4WD /Turbo
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl, 4.5L 8-cyl, 4.5L 8-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
15 combined · 14 city / 19 hwy
Length
188.6 in
Curb weight
4,949–5,192 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Porsche Cayenne is a SUV - offered with 3 engines (3.2L 6-cyl, 4.5L 8-cyl and 4.5L 8-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,949 lb (4dr SUV 4WD /S).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 10% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $5,500 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.7L 6-cyl

Built in: Leipzig, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2005 Cayenne configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 4WD /S188.6 in76 in66.9 in112.6 in64.6 / 65 in4,949 lb61/39
4dr SUV 4WD /Turbo188.6 in76 in66.9 in112.6 in64.6 / 65 in5,192 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cayenne3.2L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15-10%$5,500592
Cayenne3.2L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 19 / 15-10%$5,500592
Cayenne S4.5L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14-16%$5,850635
Cayenne Turbo4.5L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14-16%$5,850635
Spend $15,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
16.7 MPG2005 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Porsche Cayenne under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Porsche Cayenne (this car)15 MPGNot rated3
2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class12 MPGNot rated0
2005 Land Rover Range Rover12 MPGNot rated0
2005 BMW X516 MPGNot rated0
2005 BMW X318 MPGNot rated0
2005 Lexus RX20 MPGNot rated3
2005 Volvo XC9018 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Aug 30, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V656000 · 222,858 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) · Jun 12, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V446000 · 99,665 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Sep 20, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V576000 · 50,145 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles, 2004-2006 Cayenne vehicles, and 2006 Cayenne S "Titanium" Edition vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter flanges with new filter flanges that have a protective film, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH10.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Porsche Cayenne is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

24Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
110,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Fuel System, Gasoline5
Electrical System2
Air Bags2
Engine2
Power Train2
Seats1
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/03: 117/12: 118/02: 218/05: 318/06: 218/07: 118/09: 118/11: 218/12: 119/02: 119/05: 119/10: 120/01: 122/10: 122/11: 122/12: 124/07: 225/10: 116/0318/0518/0919/0220/0122/12max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Porsche Cayenne buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Fuel/Propulsion System — 10 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  3. Fuel System, Gasoline — 5 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 110,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Porsche Cayenne. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cayenne years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Cayenne19193.7 inNot rated15
2025 Cayenne22193.7 inNot rated26
2024 Cayenne19193.7 inNot rated55
2023 Cayenne19193.7 inNot rated25
2022 Cayenne21193.7 inNot rated34
2021 Cayenne21193.7 inNot rated721
2020 Cayenne21193.7 inNot rated625
2019 Cayenne21193.7 inNot rated847
2018 Cayenne22190.9 inNot rated114
2017 Cayenne22190.9 inNot rated219
2016 Cayenne24190.9 inNot rated240
2015 Cayenne23190.9 inNot rated315

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Porsche. How we calculate this →