Porsche's first hybrid is not the fastest, least-expensive or most fuel-efficient big luxury SUV, but it's probably the best all-around vehicle in its class. The Cayenne hybrid effectively balances performance, fuel cost and practicality to lead the pack. Porsche is among the last automakers to offer a hybrid. The sports-car specialist feared heavy batteries and electric motors would rob its vehicles of the speed and agility that are their calling card. It sat on the sidelines while thousands of hybrids were sold.
Then somebody at Porsche headquarters in Zuffenhausen got a shock. Their fast, powerful vehicles wouldn't meet upcoming European and US emissions and fuel-efficiency standards without electrification. Porsche got serious about hybrids fast. The resulting Cayenne S Hybrid SUV delivers the performance Porsche owners expect and the fuel efficiency the 21st century demands.
Prices for the 2011 Cayenne S hybrid start at $67,700. I tested a well-equipped model that stickered at $85,535. The 2012 model arriving in dealerships now starts at $69,000. It's virtually identical to the one I tested. All prices exclude destination charges.
The Cayenne S Hybrid develops a maximum of 380 horsepower from a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride batteries. The hybrid powertrain also produces 427 pound-feet of torque at a so-low-you-think-it's-a-typo 1,000 rpm. All Cayennes come with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid accelerates to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, has a top speed of 150 mph, can tow 7,716 pounds and scored EPA ratings of 20 mpg in the city, 24 on the highway and 21 mpg in combined driving.
The new model's AWD system should be more than competent in snow and mud, but it's tuned more for performance and handling than rugged back-country conditions. The roomy interior provides plenty of passenger and cargo space. Soft leather and tasteful brightwork decorate the interior. The instruments and gauges are easy to read and use. The exceptions to that are frustrating, balky controls for hands-free phones and iPods.
Porsche has yet to offer voice-recognition commands for those functions, and its manual controls are a pain in the neck and a distraction when driving. The Cayenne lags far behind the competition in this area. The engine also shuts off and decouples from the transmission to save fuel when the Cayenne coasts at highway speeds - "sailing," Porsche engineers call it.
When you drive with a light foot - or when you push the button marked "E power," the Cayenne can run at up to 37 mph on battery power alone. The electric motor complements the supercharged V-6 to provide extra oomph for vigorous acceleration. The brakes are sure and firm. The Cayenne S Hybrid is larger and roomier than the previous model, but Porsche's designers kept it low and sleek, creating the visual impression of a smaller vehicle. Porsche's first hybrid uses the latest technology to propel the brand's historic looks, character and performance into the future.