DecodedCars2009 Porsche Cayenne
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV /S/Gts, Turbo 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 290–405 hp
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 189 in
- Curb weight
- 4,784–5,192 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 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 18 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Porsche Cayenne is a SUV - offered with 3 engines (3.6L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl and 4.8L 8-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,784 lb (4dr SUV /S/Gts).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 10% worse than the 2009 SUV - average of 17.7 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2009
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 Cayenne — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Cayenne →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Leipzig, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2009 Cayenne configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV /S/Gts | 189 in | 76 in | 66.9 in | 111.8 in | 65.4 / 64.6 in | 4,784 lb | 53/47 |
| Turbo 4dr SUV | 189 in | 76 in | 66.9 in | 111.8 in | 65.4 / 64.6 in | 5,192 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayenne | 3.6L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -10% | $5,150 | 555 |
| Cayenne | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -10% | $5,150 | 555 |
| Cayenne GTS | 4.8L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -15% | $5,500 | 592 |
| Cayenne S | 4.8L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -15% | $5,500 | 592 |
| Cayenne Turbo | 4.8L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 19 / 14 | -21% | $5,850 | 635 |
| Cayenne Turbo S | 4.8L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 19 / 14 | -21% | $5,850 | 635 |
| Cayenne GTS | 4.8L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 17 / 13 | -27% | $6,300 | 684 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Porsche Cayenne under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Porsche Cayenne (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Land Rover Range Rover | 15 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 BMW X5 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2009 BMW X3 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2009 Lexus RX | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Volvo XC90 | 17 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Lexus LX | 14 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (2)
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.
Not every 2009 Porsche Cayenne is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Porsche Cayenne buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 2 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Fuel System, Gasoline — 2 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.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 2 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.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 130,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Porsche Cayenne. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Cayenne years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cayenne | 19 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2025 Cayenne | 22 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2024 Cayenne | 19 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 5 |
| 2023 Cayenne | 19 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 5 |
| 2022 Cayenne | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 4 |
| 2021 Cayenne | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 7 | 21 |
| 2020 Cayenne | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 6 | 25 |
| 2019 Cayenne | 21 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 8 | 47 |
| 2018 Cayenne | 22 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 14 |
| 2017 Cayenne | 22 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 19 |
| 2016 Cayenne | 24 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 40 |
| 2015 Cayenne | 23 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Porsche. How we calculate this →