The 2009 Porsche Cayenne is the Porsche SUV. A midsize, it first hit the market in the 2003 model year. With a makeover in 2008, not much has changed in the looks of the Cayenne for this year. One big change is coming, though. Porsche has announced a hybrid model for the 2010 model year.

The Cayenne is in competition with such foreign models as the Acura MDX, Land Rover LR3 and Range Rover, Lexus RX 350 and GX 470, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and M-Class, Volvo XC90, BMW X5 and X6, Hyundai Veracruz and Saab 9-7X. American competition includes the Cadillac SRX and Lincoln MKX and Navigator.

Cayenne comes in five trims: Base, S, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S, the last being new for the 2009 model year.

The engine you get depends on the trim you choose. The base gets a 3.6 liter, 290 horsepower gasoline V6. The other trims all get a 4.8 liter gasoline engine, but the horsepower depends on the trim. S gets a 385 horsepower, GTS a 405, Turbo a 500 and Turbo S a turbocharged 550. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard, but a six-speed manual is available with some models.

The V6 engine gets 14 miles per gallon city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. Standard version of the V8 gets only one mile per gallon less and the mileage drop off for the Turbo engines is not much worse.

The Cayenne gets good ratings for acceleration (with the V8), handling and details. Not good at all for fuel economy, controls and overall value. Maximum towing rate is 7715 pounds, and it is so rated for any trim/engine combination. Maximum payload is 1885 pounds, with just over 19 cubic feet of cargo space. The cargo space is considerably smaller than class average.

No NHTSA or IIHS ratings are available for the Cayenne. Safety features include child safety locks, all-wheel drive, antilock brakes with electronic braking assistance, traction control and vehicle stability system, limited slip or locking differential, automatic load leveling and an electronic parking aid.

Base price on the 2009 Porsche Cayenne is $44,600 and for the Turbo S the base price jumps to $123,600. The consensus seems to be that you can get bigger, nicer, more powerful and/or more economical for less money. No one can say a Porsche is not a nice vehicle, but this particular one is no bargain.