Road test review: Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Performance Edition

Monday, 30 March 2020

PORSCHE CAYENNE E-HYBRID PERFORMANCE **EDITION

Base price:** $194,500

Powertrain and economy: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 plus electric motor, 340kW/700Nm (combined), 8-speed automatic, AWD, combined economy 3.4L/100km, CO2 78g/km (source: RightCar).

This is one-of-13 Cayenne E-Hybrid Performance Editions built exclusively for the New Zealand market.

Vital statistics: 4918mm long, 1983mm wide, 1,696mm high, 2895mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 645litres, 22-inch alloy wheels.

We like: Plug-in powertrain offers better acceleration and emissions. Performance Edition adds niceties most people will ask for anyway.

We don't like: Range should be better. Still expensive for base plug-in Cayenne model. Sunroof didn't quite work.

It has a handful of usually optional extras applied, like black exhaust tips (hiding in the shadows here), adaptive cruise control and active air suspension, among many others.

This road test was completed before the current coronavirus lockdown restrictions came into effect.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid has been around for a while now, selling reasonably well in that time. In fact, it was the second-best selling Cayenne model here last year, behind the very base model. Porsche New Zealand has decided to grace it with a 13-unit-strong Performance Edition trim and we managed to spend an evening with one.

The addition of an electric motor and supplementing battery means you can drive this Cayenne on electric power only for up to 40km. Or you can use it for scaring the kids at every set of lights. Up to you.

What does Performance Edition mean?

Basically a bunch of options coming as standard. There isn't actually any more performance but buyers will get things like 22-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive air suspension, LED headlights and a Bose sound system.

**READ MORE:

The interior is pretty similar to the standard Cayenne E-Hybrid but that's not a bad thing.

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Performance Edition buyers also get a panoramic sunroof and larger 22-inch wheels.

* Porsche adds some mean into the very green Panamera 4 E-Hybrid**

Also included is adaptive cruise control (usually a $3.5k option on a $161k car…), a 7.2kW onboard charger, a SportDesign front apron and blacked-out tailpipes. In total the pack bumps price up from $161,900 to $194,500.

So a performance pack that doesn't really add performance. Does it go well, then?

Oh yes. This is the E-Hybrid version remember, so it adds a 100kW/400Nm electric motor to the 3.0-litre V6. Total system output is rated at 340kW and 700Nm of torque, with most of that twist kicking in at below 2000rpm. It shunts too, blitzing from a standstill to 100kmh in a claimed five seconds flat. It actually feels a smidge quicker, although we didn't get a chance to properly test the figures. We just wish those black exhaust tips weren't just a paint job and actually spiced up the engine sound… This is a Performance Edition, after all.

That acceleration is all the more impressive considering the Cayenne E-Hybrid is a 2.3-tonne SUV. It corners well too, thanks to fat 255/55 Pirelli P Zero tyres up front and 275/55 rubber at the back. Porsche's active air suspension keeps it level during hard cornering and, when you don't feel like terrifying the kids, can soften up for urban cruising.

Tell me about the electric side of things. Is it worth going greener for more… er, green?

We'd say so. The electric motor is paired with a 14.1kWh battery pack and can drive the car for up to 40km. That's not bad and will help keep the fuel bills down but, considering the car costs $161k in base trim, should probably be a bit higher. It's enough for most daily driving, though, and you've still got a petrol engine lying in wait if you run out of charge.

The battery does eat a bit of cargo space though, with 654L available. Flatten the seats and you get 1610 litres. Compare that to something like the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, which has 655L, expandable to 1790 litres.

If you can live with slightly less storage space, the electricals of the Cayenne E-Hybrid mean fuel consumption is rated right down at 3.2L/100km. For reference, the Cayenne S ($177k) uses around 8.4L/100km.

Do I even want a Porsche SUV?

Well, that's something only you can answer but why not? If you're in the market for a family mover costing more than $150 grand, the Cayenne E-Hybrid should be around the top of your list. It might be a heavy thing but the powertrain counters the mass well and it's greener than most, if not all of its competitors. Plus there's space for four or even five adults.

Opting for the Performance Edition grants stuff you'd probably spec on anyway, like active cruise control, soft-closing doors, LED headlights, air suspension and the Bose stereo. You also get a bunch of other niceties like the SportDesign front apron, black roof rails, 22-inch alloys (up from the standard 18s) and sportier steering. We did find the panoramic sunroof to be a bit problematic though - it was difficult to convince it to open all the way, then it wouldn't open at all.

But at the end of the day, if you're somewhat inclined towards sporty driving, buying the Cayenne means you're buying a Porsche and those engineers know how to build a driver's car. It's no 911 or Cayman but it'll still give you plenty of thrills.

Any other cars I should consider?

The E-Hybrid Performance Edition is annoying to class because the base E-Hybrid fits in one segment while adding the Performance Edition pack pushes it into another.

On the more expensive side of things, rivals include the aforementioned Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, which is currently around $180k. It blends a 3.0-litre straight-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system to help ease the load on the engine. AMG's hybrid isn't as strong as Porsche, not being a plug-in, so the output is a bit lower and the emissions are a bit higher but, being an AMG, the GLE 53 is more of a hoon machine than the Porsche.

Otherwise, Audi will sell you the SQ7 for $184,900 and, if you're willing to break the $200k barrier, you can pick up the BMW X7 M50d.

Going against the standard $161,900 E-Hybrid, the Bavarian maker also has the X5 M coming soon for those looking at a performance-oriented alternative while, in terms of PHEVs, BMW offers the 210kW/600Nm X5 xDrive45e for $155,500. Audi also has the standard Q7 50 TDI at $144,900.