All the Lessons We Learned During A Drive to Bangkok in the Porsche Cayenne

We took a 1,700-kilometre journey with the Porsche Cayenne and naturally, we learned a lot about the car and what it means to drive a true sports car SUV. Read all about it below. 

There are many ways you can learn about a car you love. Schedule a viewing in a showroom, do a deep dive on the Internet, or talk to an expert about it. While we could’ve gone with any of those three options, we chose to take the long route—literally. Late last year, we spent four days on the road with the locally-assembled Porsche Cayenne, taking it on a 1,700-kilometre trip up north to Bangkok. With three stops, windy roads, and lots of highways to tackle, there was much to prepare for, but it was nothing the car couldn’t handle. Our ride was swift, sturdy, and all-around reliable with every inch of the car playing a part in our comfortably easy drive. While driving eight hours a day through the vistas of Southern Thailand was already a scenic experience in itself, the Porsche Cayenne made it one that was truly unforgettable. Here are some key takeaways and opinions we got from the journey. 

AIR SUSPENSION IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

You don’t need off-roading as an excuse to enjoy good suspension. Anyone would benefit from having a cushy support system to their drives, whether they’re zipping through city streets (hello, potholes) or embarking on longer drives through the rough. The Porsche Active Suspension Management system in the Cayenne proved to be second to none. 

Our driving experience would’ve been totally different had it not been for this adaptive air suspension. Even when going over gravel or rougher terrain, the car remained comfortable and plush. However, where it truly shined was when we hit the windier parts of our drive, allowing Sport mode to really be put to the test. Rolling was kept to a minimum and turning was made even more precise. As the system was electronically adjustable, we were also able to quickly switch between modes and chassis heights during the drive. The range in its abilities between Comfort and Sport Plus was truly impressive—enough to turn anyone (including me) into a Porsche Cayenne believer. 

FORGET PACKING LIGHT

As a chronic overpacker, preparing for this four-day trip on the road was stressful… until it wasn’t. There were four of us piling into the car for the trip, so naturally, I was a little concerned about whether or not everyone and everything would fit while keeping the passengers comfortable. However, as soon as I saw  the expansiveness of the 772-litre trunk space, all worries went out the window. 

We all managed to pack everything that we needed for the trip (and then some), including snacks and work necessities, and made the space our own. To paint a better picture for you, we had four check-in sized suitcases, three hand luggages, numerous totes and duffle bags, plus some shopping bags in tow… and it was a breeze! Having to unload and reload our baggage at each stop would usually be a tedious task, but we never had to worry about constantly having to play Tetris, or compressing our bags to fit. 

ADJUST YOUR SEAT TO FIT YOU

The Porsche Cayenne takes your comfort seriously. Beyond adjusting seat height and angle, your seats can do so much more for you and your body, no matter the distance or your role in the car. For a drive as long as ours, our comfort was absolutely paramount and the car rose to the challenge confidently with its 14-way Comfort seats. 

The driver was always in control of their comfort, being able to adjust just about anything they needed whether it be lumbar support or even the steering column. This was a major plus on our drive, considering the long hours and terrain we were on. As a passenger, the sheer space of the cabin was enough to be impressed by. However, being the Porsche Cayenne, the car delivered comfort beyond our expectations with electronic roll-up sunblinds and storage nets for our knick-knacks. 

SCREEN TIME CAN BE GOOD

Nowadays, we’re all trying to figure out ways to reduce our screen time… on our phones and laptops that is. In the Porsche Cayenne, we were treated to a luxurious 12.3-inch central Porsche Communication Management display. It was our hub for everything we needed from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to driving assistance systems and sound controls. So, you could say that screen time is not all that bad, especially in the case of the Porsche Cayenne. 

Having such a big display also meant that we spent less time deciphering the screen on the road and had an easier time navigating the menus when idle. The driver was also able to personalise their instrument cluster to be able to view all essential metrics and information with ease. Not to mention, switching between seven different displays from Classic and Minimalistic to Map View and Driver Assistance to match their needs. With it, the cockpit felt complete and comfortable throughout the journey for both driver and front passenger. 

LET THE CAYENNE HOLD YOUR HAND

Even the most confident drivers could use help sometimes. The assistance systems go beyond parking sensors and a 360-degree camera. Its Lane Keep Assist was a major player during our drive, keeping us in check on the seemingly endless highways. It kept us centered even in the dark and safe at high speeds.  Another key feature available on the Porsche Cayenne is its Fatigue Detection, which tracks the driver’s eye movement, steering input, and driving patterns. If the system detects any hint of fatigue via its collected data, it sends an alert to prompt the driver to take a break. Thankfully, Fatigue Detection didn’t kick in during our journey since we regularly switched drivers, but knowing it was there to support us was a major plus. 

No street lamps? No problem. The Porsche Cayenne’s LED headlights with matrix beam technology made our past-sundown drives safer and more comfortable. Using speed data, the car’s camera, and surrounding light conditions, the car adapts the brightness and intensity of the headlights, including its high beam area, to ensure optimum visibility with minimal glare towards oncoming vehicles. This was especially useful during the Ranong to Hua Hin stretch as we found ourselves making the last stretch of the drive way past sunset. 

You can kick start your own journey with a Porsche Cayenne just in time for the Year of the Horse this 10 & 11 January 2026. Click here to locate your nearest Porsche Centre and to schedule a test drive.