Say what you want about the Cayenne; maybe you don’t believe it’s a “true” Porsche, perhaps because its engine’s out-front and it isn’t a sports car. Maybe you don’t like its looks. Maybe you bemoan the fact that it shares underpinnings with other vehicles in the VW Group.

Whatever you may think, it’s hard to contest the fact that the Cayenne played a huge part in the resurgence of the Porsche brand.Whatever you may think, it’s hard to contest the fact that the Cayenne played a huge part in the resurgence of the Porsche brand, doing its part to drag the Stuttgart firm back into the black after some rocky, rocky times. Even today, while Porsche is alive and well, big sellers like the Cayenne (and Boxster, and Macan, and Panamera) are what make it possible for the manufacturer to continue to build the cray cray stuff; the Cayman GT4, for example. Or the 911 GT3. Or even 918 Spyder, with which this newly facelifted Cayenne actually shares a few stylistic elements, if you can believe it.

For 2015, Porsche’s SUV has been given a squatter stance, better detailing inside and out and a handful of aero upgrades to quiet the ride, and help the Cayenne scythe through the air ahead.

The most obvious stylistic addition are the new taillights; I couldn’t quite put my finger on it at first, but when you consider a previous-gen model, the difference is quite marked. The “four point” LEDs that now make up the rear lights are a little longer, a little narrower than what we saw before, and a nice crease connects them, lowering the tailgate’s profile a little bit. Now, the rear lights of the old car look a little too small and rounded, adrift in the big, metal sea that is the tailgate panel.

To further lower the stance, the twin tailpipes have been moved further to the corners of the rear valance, which looks mighty good, if I’m honest.

Also on Autos.ca: First Drive: 2015 Porsche Cayenne S and Turbo

Up front, the changes aren’t quite so marked, but worth noting nonetheless. The air intakes have grown, and they now accommodate something called “Airblades” on their outside edges, and their function is twofold: they curb turbulence around the wheels for a smoother ride, cooling the engine bay while they’re at it. Yes, they look a little cheap in their black plastic finish (a satin chrome look may be better; hard to know) but it’s nice to know they serve a function. Plus, did everyone love the “Sideblades” on the Audi R8 when that car first appeared? Judging by how many I see that have had them coloured to match the body, I’m going to say they still haven’t quite come around to it, as popular as that car is.

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