Porsche Cayenne: That's much better

Since the day of its launch four years ago, people have been asking when Porsche's Cayenne was due a facelift. The answer is right now.

The most significant change is at the front of the car, where the lights are more slender and the grilles and vents have been redesigned to make the nose appear less bluff. The wheelarches are also more heavily contoured to give the Cayenne’s previously bland flanks more visual interest, while the rear receives fresh tail-lights, a diffuser-style rear apron and a roof spoiler.

The overall effect, when combined with four years’ worth of familiarity, is to make the thundering SUV less challenging to the eye, though it's still not what you’d call genuinely attractive.

There are plenty of mechanical updates, too. All the engines now feature direct fuel injection to help reduce fuel consumption, the V6 grows in capacity from 3.2 to 3.6 litres – an increase that boosts power from 246 to 285bhp – and the V8s are also bigger, up from 4.5 to 4.8 litres.

The naturally aspirated engine in the Cayenne S also gains VarioCam Plus valve control, helping to raise the power to 380bhp (the old S had 335bhp) and torque to 369lb ft (from 310).

For the twin-turbo Cayenne Turbo power rises to 493bhp (from 450) and torque to 516lb ft (from 457), helping to shove the burly 4x4 from 0-62mph in 5.1sec and on to a top speed of 171mph.

A new option for all Cayennes is the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) pack, an active anti-roll system that sharpens the handling and increases axle articulation when off-roading. The Turbo gains a vehicle tracking system as standard.

The new Cayenne range goes on sale on February 24, with prices ranging from £37,100 to £74,650.