Anyone with Surround Parking .
One previous comment was that looking at 2 screens was confusing.
Is it worth the extra spend .
Comments appreciated .

 

For me coming from a 2017 Q7 that had excellent surround view system, having it on my Cayenne was one of what I thought to be a must have option. The two systems are similar and for me there was zero distraction with both screens. You actually will rarely even look at the standard back up screen when backing into a parking space as the overview gives you such a good sight line of everything.

For my cayenne, I had a hard time finding the interior / exterior color spec with surround that my dealer could trade for so ended up without this feature in order to get the color scheme I desired. Now having had my Cayenne for a bit over a month, I can say I have gotten used to not having it as the standard front and rear sensors with rear camera are very good. However, I still really loved the surround view and if I were to order a Cayenne, I would still definitely opt for surround view. It all really kind of comes down to what you are used too. Had I not had it on my q7, I do not think I would have cared.

 

We have it, as my wife insisted on that option. She loves the surround view. She uses the overview camera very frequently with parking.

 

Should be a standard offering in an SUV and one of such high cost. I have it on my 7 year old Infiniti, and quite honestly it's saved my rear end a few times. On the Cayenne, I do have to say that the sensors are really nice in how they act vs. most that just show a large block of yellow/red. Combined w/ surround view, auto/emergency braking, adaptive cruise, it would be really great...all stuff that 7-8 year old vehicles of lesser stature have. But I get Porsche's pricing structure.

 

I agree with everyone here. The Turbo is my wife's. She's grown used to multiple cameras on the last few cars we've had. I wouldn't even consider having her live without it now -- too much expensive Porsche plastic and aluminum is at stake in the parking lot. The surround view in the Cayenne is excellent, with clear, high-res cameras, good angles and intuitive operation. She can easily switch between front and back views via the touchscreen. The side views to avoid curbs while parking are handy too.

The only thing missing IMO is the full 3D rotating view, which is not available in the U.S. yet. Interestingly, we test-drove a few 2019 Audis a few weeks ago (RS5 and A6), and were disappointed to see the 3D spinny-view right there on a car that stickered for half what our Turbo did. Friggin' Volkswagen and its weird business decisions.

 

Don't worry, VW will undoubtedly make the Audi system available for Porsche models before too long. For a few extra thousand $$'s of course.

 

It’s great but one complaint is that under low light visibility isn’t very good. I think BMW uses better lens.

 

I'm disappointed as well. All my Audis with surround view also had the trailer assist feature that guides you directly over the tow ball when backing up to hook up a trailer. I tow quite a bit and miss this feature. Its a PIA to backup, stop, open door walk to back to see how close you are and repeat the process until you're parked over the ball of the receiver. This was one of the main reasons I ordered surround view. I think it was even shown as one of the advertisements for the surround view.

 

I can't wait to see what the new acronym is lol.

 

The acronym will be what the thousands of extra dollars will buy.

 

The surround view system on our 2013 Audi A8L is excellent and once you get accustomed, it’s a pain to even try to deal with a vehicle that doesn’t have the surround views available. Hopefully the Porsche system will compare favorably.

 

I don't think I'd ever use the surround camera to the point where it's a necessary thing, quite frankly. Between the right (passenger) outside mirror turning down to view the curb, the parking sensors, and the rear camera, I've never felt the need for surround camera on the Panameras or Macan that I've owned. I've only test-driven Cayennes and had them as loaners, but I have had them for days at a time, and I have never felt that I needed surround cameras with them either -- and I've never hit curbs with them. I get used to the size and dimensions of these vehicles quickly. I learned to drive (and had to pass a driving test in tight spaces) on a 1971 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser station wagon -- a huge tank of a car with no sensors, no back-up camera, nothing but your eyes, so I guess that has helped me a lot in life. :-)

 

You'd be surprised. I've had a car with surround view, and brake assist, adaptive cruise, etc.. since 2012. You get used to it more than you think. I can get into tighter spots / parallel park easily (important for if you ever visit a city but live in the burbs and never practice), when the dog likes to run around the car as I'm pulling it in, helping wife from getting curb rash on the rims, etc.

It's one of those things that once you have, you don't want to go back (i.e. when I get rentals with work, but even many of those are coming standard with a ton of tech. now). Heck, what does it cost to throw 4 cameras in a car? Maybe a hundred dollars, if that considering the bulk pricing they get?

 

+1 for this very well written post. I never thought (ever!) that something like a surround view camera would have been a priority option when searching for my Cayenne, but after the exterior color, interior color and wheels, it was the next priority (and I still ended up without it...haha). I have quickly gotten used to the standard back up and front sensors (which are very good), but for just $1200, I would never ever order this car without surround view if I were doing a factory build. I say get it as you will never regret having it but will regret "not" having if you ever get a taste of how useful it is down the line.

 

I agree that it should be a standard feature like on the Audi Q8 and Q7. And what's really weird is that I've checked the incoming inventory of 2020s of four different local Porsche dealers and there are virtually none coming through with that feature. Even Champion didn't have one. I just don't get it. Clearly the people at the dealerships spec'ing these cars don't feel it necessary. But as someone else said, for $1.2k why not.