Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 2019 UK review
December 31, 2018
This is, officially speaking, the most environmentally friendly PorscheSUV on sale. Which is a bit like saying “the least threatening nuclear warhead” or “the easiest to park aircraft carrier”. Nevertheless, that’s how the new Cayenne E-Hybrid fits into the range.
It’s been just over a decade since Porsche first toyed with hybridising its flagship SUV. Skip forward two generations and the official economy figure has more than doubled, thanks to the use of plug-in hybrid tech. Today’s petrol-electric Cayenne claims up to 88mpg depending on spec - a figure which of course depends on you keeping the battery juiced up wherever possible.
For the first-gen Cayenne, hybrid tech offered up a bit of a USP in the market of premium 4x4s. Now it’s anything but, with all the main competitors - Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Land Rover - offering some sort of plug-in offering.
But Porsche has had time to perfect the art for the third-generation. Ditching the old Cayenne S E-Hybrid’s supercharged V6 in favour of a turbocharged 3.0-litre lump mated to a 30% more powerful rear-mounted electric motor pushes up combined power from 410bhp to 456bhp, while torque is up 81lb ft. Nearly a full second has been shaved off the 0-62mph time as a result.
More performance is bolstered by better green credentials, with a thirty percent increase in battery capacity (up to 14.1kWh) taking the all-electric range up to 27 miles - achieved via a two-hour charge from a fast-charging wallbox.
We drive Porsche's electrified Cayenne to see if it's the best blend of performance and usability in the range
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid specification
Where Berkshire Price £67,128 On sale Now Engine 2995cc, 6cyl, plus electric motor Power 455bhp at 5250rpm Torque 516lb ft at 1340rpm Gearbox eight-speed automatic Kerb weight 2295kg Top speed 157mph 0-62mph 5.0sec Fuel economy 83mpg CO2 74g/km Rivals Range Rover Sport P400e, Volvo XC90 T8