The instrument pod is tucked under a single, prominent arch, with two big gauges (tachometer left, speedo right) on either side of a central multifunction display. This offers information on audio and trip functions, mechanical operations and ambient conditions. Automatic speed and wiper controls are located on stalks on either side of the steering column. The bulk of the switches, including audio and climate controls, are racked in the center of the dash above the center console. These are replaced with a CRT monitor on Cayennes equipped with Porsche Communications Management. A dozen vents throughout the cabin distribute warm or cool air evenly.

The Cayenne is not as richly appointed as a similarly priced Range Rover, but it's not supposed to be. The emphasis here is sporting flair, rather than traditional luxury. With the exception of a cheesy looking headliner and oddly designed armrests in the doors, the materials and finish are acceptable for a vehicle of this ilk. The standard leather upholstery is high grade. The standard metal trim has a brushed finish. The front seats stand out for their balance of support, comfort and adjustment range, and the navigation display screen is one of the largest we've encountered. Moreover, the nav system calculates routes and makes adjustments more quickly than just about any we've used.

Cayenne transports five adults in reasonable comfort. The rear seat is well countered, with excellent headroom and decent legroom, even when the front seats are well back in their travel range. Seating for five is something we haven't seen previously in a Porsche. But don't expect the interior volume of a Lincoln Navigator, and don't look for a third-row seat.

A few other things we've never seen in Porsche until now: The rear seatback folds forward in a 60/40 split, and it also includes a pass-though slot with a ski sack, allowing Cayenne to haul longer, narrow items inside without flattening the rear seat. There's a standard cargo net to keep grocery bags and other items from sliding around during travel and a retractable shade-type cover that opens and closes over the cargo hold.

The Cayenne boasts 19 cubic feet of stowage space with the rear seat in place and 62.5 cubic feet with the seat folded. That gives the Porsche more cargo space than the BMW X5, slightly less than the Mercedes M-Class. The tailgate is two-stage, the glass opens up, as does the entire gate. The dimensions of the tailgate opening and load floor allow Cayenne to haul small appliances such as a bar-size refrigerator or a large TV set. Moreover, with an impressive payload of 1600 pounds, a Cayenne owner should be able to haul just about anything that can be crammed inside without worrying about exceeding recommended weights.

Cayenne has maximum ground clearance of 10.75 inches and a fording depth 21.9 inches, and when it comes to towing capacity, this hot-rod SUV is no pretender. Both the Cayenne S and Turbo can pull 7700 pounds; you can't get a similar tow rating short of a heavy-duty pickup or pickup-based SUV. This Porsche should easily tow a horse trailer, or just about any tow boat on the market.