2007-2010 (955.2)
Porsche gave the original Cayenne its first major facelift for the 2008 model year, addressing one of the most common criticisms of the launch car in the process: the 996-inspired headlight design was replaced with clearer, more modern units, and the front and rear fascias were reworked to look less derivative of the contemporary 911. There was technically no 2007 model year in the US as Porsche transitioned between the outgoing and facelifted cars, though leftover 2007-built units did reach some dealers.
The base Cayenne moved to a 3.6-liter VR6 engine shared with the Volkswagen Touareg, at 290 hp, while the Cayenne S received a larger 4.8-liter V8 at 385 hp. The GTS joined the lineup for 2008, using a naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 at 405 hp and standing out as one of the only Cayennes of this generation still offered with a 6-speed manual transmission alongside the standard Tiptronic automatic. The Turbo grew to 500 hp from its own 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8, and the Turbo S arrived for 2009 at 550 hp and 553 lb-ft, a 10 percent power increase and 7 percent torque increase over the standard Turbo, with optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes available for the first time on the range-topping trim. Porsche also introduced its first diesel Cayenne in February 2009, using a turbocharged V6, and several limited editions punctuated the run, including the Cayenne S Transsyberia and the GTS Porsche Design Edition 3.
- Model years: 2007 to 2010 (commonly referred to as the 957)
- Trims: Cayenne, Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S, Cayenne GTS (added 2008), Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S (added 2009)
- Power range: 290 hp (base) to 550 hp (Turbo S)
- Transmission: 6-speed manual available on GTS, Tiptronic automatic across the lineup
- Notable firsts: first Cayenne GTS; first diesel Cayenne; first Cayenne Turbo S with optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes