Talk to anyone who’s recently had their first child, and they’ll quickly offer a rundown of the things that have drastically changed. Every moment takes on new meaning, but so does exhaustion. They’ll tell you about what they’ve had to sacrifice—long, relaxed meals, uninterrupted sleep—and the fun, quirky cars they used to love driving. Suddenly, it’s all about finding the safest, most practical vehicle on the market.
When I was a kid, the clearest signal that you’d given up on life’s little luxuries was the purchase of a minivan. It was like wearing a badge of parental surrender, showing the world you now saw life through beige-tinted glasses. The late ‘90s boom of the euphemistically named sports utility vehicle (SUV), adopted by families everywhere, saved us from that fate.
Now, we could haul car seats and strollers while retaining a shred of self-respect. We weren’t just driving the kids to school; we were taking them on an adventure. Sure, the adventure was still the school run, but it looked much cooler. Crossover vehicles, which also rose in popularity during the mid-90s, crept closer to the minivan category, and I’d been driving one for months after my son was born. Suddenly, my primary role in life became being a dad.
As a car enthusiast, my bland French crossover used to depress me whenever I saw it in the driveway. It made me pine for the wild Abarth 595 Competizione I drove when I first moved to Dubai. So, when the opportunity came up to test drive the Porsche V8 Cayenne S Coupe, I jumped at it. Sure, the third-generation Cayenne had been around for a year already, but it had been a while since I’d been offered a test drive—and one where I could fit a car seat in the back, no less.
It’s hard to believe now just how controversial the Cayenne was when Porsche first launched it in 2002. Purists saw it as a betrayal of the brand’s racing heritage. Today, though, the Cayenne is credited with saving Porsche and pioneering a whole new luxury SUV segment for other high-end brands.
But this wasn’t just any Cayenne—it was the V8 Cayenne S Coupe, dressed in stunning Algarve metallic blue with 22-inch Exclusive Design Sport wheels in Neodyme. I slid into the driver’s seat, and the guy handing me the keys gave me a knowing look. “Go ahead,” his eyes seemed to say as he nodded toward the ignition button on the left, true to Porsche tradition.
I did as instructed, pressing the button. The engine’s roar echoed through the garage and sent a jolt of excitement through me. I let out a gleeful laugh, and even though I was still stationary—far from hitting the car’s top speed of 273kph—I knew I was in for the most fun I’d had in months.
The salesman smiled back at me, and we shared a moment of mutual understanding—this was pure, unfiltered joy. You can read all about the car’s specs elsewhere, but what I’m here to tell you is that the sense of thrilling freedom stayed with me throughout every minute I spent behind the wheel.
It’s funny how life sends you signs when you need them. That ignition button was a reminder that being a loving, responsible father doesn’t mean I have to settle for dull, uninspiring crossovers. Sometimes, all it takes is a fleeting moment of self-indulgent joy to remind me that I can still be more than just “dad.”
As a new father, my priorities shifted overnight. Gone were the days of spontaneous road trips or indulging in the thrill of high-performance driving. Instead, I was knee-deep in diaper changes, sleep deprivation, and making sure every car trip was baby-friendly. However, when I had the chance to test drive the Porsche Cayenne S Coupe, it wasn’t just about getting back behind the wheel—it was about rediscovering the joy of driving post-fatherhood.
At first glance, the Porsche Cayenne S Coupe is everything you expect from the luxury SUV segment—powerful, muscular, and incredibly stylish. The sloping roofline distinguishes the Coupe from its traditional SUV counterpart, giving it a sleek, sporty look that screams performance. Yet, despite the aesthetics, what struck me most was how seamlessly it blended practicality with the power Porsche is known for.
This wasn’t just a sports car masquerading as an SUV. This was a genuine hybrid of family needs and high-octane excitement.
The Cayenne S Coupe comes with a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine that pumps out an impressive 434 horsepower. For someone used to family sedans and compact crossovers, this felt like a revelation. The acceleration was instantaneous, clocking 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, making it clear that while the Cayenne is built for practicality, it hasn’t compromised on Porsche’s signature performance.
There’s something incredibly exhilarating about having that kind of power at your fingertips, even as you haul groceries, baby strollers, and diaper bags. The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, ensuring that whether you’re cruising on the highway or weaving through city traffic, the drive is a joy.
With a young child, comfort and space are non-negotiable, and Porsche didn’t disappoint. Inside, the Cayenne S Coupe features plush leather seats, ample legroom, and a panoramic sunroof that made the cabin feel airy and spacious—perfect for long family trips.
The rear seats were surprisingly generous for a coupe, and the cargo space was more than adequate for all the gear that comes with fatherhood. Whether it was the adjustable rear seating or the easy-to-use infotainment system that kept my child entertained, I realized that the Cayenne S Coupe was as much a family-friendly vehicle as it was a high-performance one.
Porsche’s commitment to safety is evident, and as a father, I appreciated the comprehensive suite of driver-assist features. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and forward-collision warning were just a few of the tools that made driving less stressful, especially with a baby on board.
The Cayenne S Coupe also comes with a state-of-the-art infotainment system that includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and a premium sound system. The child-lock features, rearview camera, and parking sensors further reinforced my confidence in handling the car in tricky situations, whether in tight parking spots or navigating suburban streets.
What the Porsche Cayenne S Coupe offered me wasn’t just a practical vehicle for fatherhood—it reignited my love for driving. The rush of accelerating down a highway, the satisfaction of precise cornering, and the thrill of hearing the engine roar—it was all there, yet without compromising on the safety and comfort my family needed.
Sure, life after fatherhood is different, and the priorities have shifted. But the Porsche Cayenne S Coupe reminded me that parenthood doesn’t have to mean the end of driving excitement. It’s possible to have both—a family car that doesn’t skimp on the joy of motoring.
For any parent who still longs for the thrill of driving, the Porsche Cayenne S Coupe strikes the perfect balance between performance, luxury, and practicality. Whether it’s taking the kids to soccer practice or enjoying a solo drive on a winding country road, this car delivers in every aspect. Fatherhood may have changed the way I drive, but thanks to the Cayenne S Coupe, it certainly hasn’t dulled the excitement.
