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Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid road test report

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S Hybrid

Lexus blazed a trail for hybrid SUVs when it launched the RX 400h in 2005, a move that built on parent company Toyota’s expertise in the field of petrol-electric cars, but which was slightly baffling. The luxury SUV segment wasn’t the most obvious for early adoption of hybrids, after all. Porsche has now followed suit with a hybrid model in its new-generation Cayenne line-up. The concept of a Porsche Hybrid SUV might be anathema to fans of the 911, but it certainly piques the interest of anyone who wants to see a future for cars that and green and interesting to drive. The big question is, which is the overriding consideration?

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

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Image number 2 of the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Image number 3 of the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid
CRAIG THOMAS SAYS

Performance Performance - 4 stars

The latest iteration of the Cayenne has a hybrid engine, which comprises a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine and an electric motor. The petrol engine develops a maximum output of 328bhp and electric motor delivers 46bhp and a peak torque of 221ft-lb up to 1,150 rpm. The electric motor can be used by itself or to support the work of the internal combustion engine, and can also serve as a generator and starter. It also allows the Cayenne to be driven, Porsche claims, at up to 37mph on purely electric power, without any emissions: our experience, however, was that the petrol powerplant kicked at a much lower speed, usually around 20mph. Porsche also claims that the two drive units together offer the power and performance of an eight-cylinder engine, but with the advantage of much lower fuel consumption. After driving both cars, we’d have to say that the S Hybrid doesn’t quite feel as quick as the ‘base’ V8-powered S, which is reinforced by the official 0-62mph times, which gives the S a 0.6-second advantage. However, that means the S Hybrid can still manage the sprint in a pretty un-environmental 6.5 seconds, which is considerably better than the Lexus RX 450h’s 7.8 seconds. It’s certainly quick enough for most driving situations, though and, combined with its low-speed, electric-only capability, will be more than sufficient for the (majority of?) owners who live in urban areas and mostly drive around town. The S Hybrid’s engine is mated to Porsche’s new eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, which provides impressively smooth and immediate shifts, and which can also be conducted manually via paddleshifts mounted on the steering column.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 4 stars

One of the truly fascinating aspects of the Cayenne is the way in which Porsche has managed to harness the company’s trademark high-quality driving dynamics to this two-tonne, high-riding SUV. It’s certainly incredibly agile for such a large car, with the body roll that often afflicts such large cars very well contained. There’s also plenty of grip, so the Cayenne always feels planted and secure on the road. Best of all, though, is the way Porsche’s feelsome steering also appears in this 4x4, supplying the driver with lots of feedback. Indeed, the weighty steering is also sharp and accurate, which inspires great confidence on the road (or, indeed, a track, on which we were lucky enough to put various Cayennes through their paces). The ride is decent enough when you get going, but at low speed it can be a little on the knobbly side. However, if you opt to swap the standard steel springs for the optional air suspension system, you can choose from three modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport – the softest of which makes the ride extremely compliant and allows it to soak up almost anything the UK’s roads can throw at it.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

The new Cayenne has the kind of build quality you’d expect from a luxury German car. It’s superbly engineered throughout, with an extremely high standard of fit and finish. The cabin of the new generation has taken much of its influence from the new Porsche Panamera four-door saloon, with even better-quality leathers and soft-touch materials on the dashboard and fascia than the previous version to raise the bar even higher. Porsche cars don’t tend to show up in UK customers satisfaction surveys (where reliability is an important factor in determining overall scores), as they don’t sell in enough numbers. However, US surveys usually rate Porsches highly - the company was rated eighth among manufacturers in the most recent US JD power survey - and there are few reports of the cars suffering from reliability issues.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

Porsches don’t sell in huge numbers across Europe, so they’ve not been crash-tested by Euro NCAP. However, all evidence points to the Cayenne being sufficiently robust to survive to come out of an accident at least as well as any rival SUVs in the premium segment. It’s also worth noting that the Cayenne shares a number of components and structural elements with the Volkswagen Touareg (which has been awarded a five-star rating by Euro NCAP) and the Audi Q7 (which was awarded four stars). There’s plenty of equipment on board the Cayenne to contribute to active and passive safety. So there are six airbags (front, side and curtain); Isofix child seat anchor points; a new Porsche Traction Management all-wheel-drive system that also comes with the Automatic Brake Differential (ABD) to increase traction, Anti- Slip Control (ASR) to improve vehicle stability, and Porsche Hill Control (PHC) that helps with driving down steep gradients; a new, larger brake system; and Porsche Stability Management (PSM) traction control. Options to increase safety include radar-controlled cruise control, which includes functions such as an overtaking aid, cornering speed control and distance warning; and a lane change assist facility that uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to monitor the lanes on both sides of the vehicle for up to 70m behind, including the blind spots. Buyers also get a half-day Driving Experience Programme at Porsche’s special facility at Silverstone, which can include tuition in car control to help them improve their technique and help them become safer drivers. Security equipment comprises an alarm, immobiliser and remote central locking.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

One of the negative aspects of the original Cayenne was that space in the rear was at a premium, which meant that adults found the experience of riding in the back pretty uncomfortable. However, the latest Cayenne is 48mm longer overall, with an extra 40mm in the wheelbase, which has been added to the back. There’s also a new bench seat in the rear that moves backwards and forwards by up to 160mm, improving kneeroom considerably. Indeed, all in the seats in Cayenne are new, with the front chairs having eight-way electrical adjustment to ensure that drivers of any size and stature can find a comfortable position. There are also optional adaptive sports seats with extra support, and you can also pay extra for heating and ventilation on all seats, including the rear. The boot is also pretty spacious, with 670 litres with the seats up and up to a maximum of 1,760 litres when folded down. Standard equipment includes Porsche Traction Management, leather interior, dual-zone automatic climate control, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, audio system with 7-inch touch-screen, 18-inch alloy wheels, plus front and rear electric windows.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 3 stars

A Porsche SUV is never going to be cheap to buy, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to discover that the S Hybrid costs £57,609. Despite its petrol-electric powerplant running costs for the S Hybrid aren’t great, especially when compared to its nearest competitor, the Lexus RX 450h. Official fuel economy is 34.4mpg on the combined cycle (compared to 44.8mpg for the Lexus), with CO2 emissions of 193g/km (148g/km for the RX 450h), meaning vehicle excise duty of £235 a year. The upside of buying a hybrid, though, is that owners living in London will be exempt from the Congestion Charge. The other good news is that residuals should be pretty high, making the S Hybrid worth around 45% of its purchase price after three years and 60,000 miles.

Submitted: 18/11/2010 14:26:42

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