Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 2024 review | Goodwood Test

The Porsche Cayenne has established itself as perhaps the very best car of its size when it comes to driving. With class-leading engineering and an undiminished Porsche feeling from behind the wheel there are very few alternatives on the market that come close.

It’s available as a plug-in hybrid now as the Cayenne E-Hybrid, which adds a new element of efficiency with what is still a relatively fresh flavour to the Porsche range as a whole. It’s a necessity now for the brand to balance out its efficiency figures across the board, and we’re glad for that because it ensures that V8 Cayenne variants can remain on sale for the time being.

That said, after spending some time behind the wheel we think there might be a compelling argument that these hybrid versions are actually the better choice. If you’re thinking pragmatically at least.

One thing that is not pragmatic in the slightest is the decision to deck out your Cayenne E-Hybrid in a new Goodwood Green Metallic paint. It’s a very deep green that we approve of greatly, but a coat of this stuff will set you back £7,536 as one of Porsche’s ‘Paint to Sample’ options.

Aside from the colour, there’s nothing notable about the design of the Cayenne E-Hybrid. There’s ‘E-Hybrid’ badging on the wings, but there’s nothing else to set the more efficient variant apart. As we’ve mentioned in previous Cayenne reviews, it’s a sleek visage that does well to disguise the car’s bulk.

By far the most interesting aspect of the Cayenne E-Hybrid is that powertrain, because it transforms this car fundamentally from a thirsty, heavy, luxury-performance SUV into something far more thoughtful. The headline fuel economy is an official 176.6mpg, but more important is the potential for a 47-mile electric range courtesy of the 21.8kWh battery. You can do an awful lot of emission-free driving in the E-Hybrid.

The hybrid system itself is deeply impressive, too, especially when you select the ‘E-Charge’ mode that maximises regen from the new, more powerful 176PS (130kW) electric motor. With sporadic use during a 50-mile drive we managed to recuperate around 13 miles of charge into the battery without really trying.

This new technology does of course come at the price of almost 400kg of additional weight compared to an equivalent non-hybrid Cayenne, but substantial gains in power make the E-Hybrid 1.1 seconds faster from 0-62mph, taking just 4.9 seconds. Overall output is up from 353PS (260kW) to 470PS (346kW), while torque increases from 500Nm (369lb ft) to 650Nm (479lb ft).

With an overall kerb weight of 2,425kg the Cayenne E-Hybrid is a hefty beast, but you don’t get much sense of that when you’re driving, because once again the engineering that manages the transfer of that weight through the corners is simply phenomenal. There does, however, seem to be a greater compromise between ride and stability with the E-Hybrid, though. The Sport and Sport Plus suspension settings keep the Cayenne’s balance in check well, but are notably more jagged than they are on the standard Cayenne. The softer standard setup goes almost too far the other way as the body becomes noticeably more flexible and prone to roll.

The steering and the brakes are as sharp as ever, though, delivering utmost feel and response on a level that a car this size has no right to. But if you want to maximise your enjoyment of the Cayenne, then opting away from the E-Hybrid is likely to be your best choice. If, however, you appreciate efficiency, then the addition of a battery is a no-brainer.

Porsche is really starting to nail the interiors of its more luxurious models, and the Cayenne is case in point. A wonderful blend of simplicity, quality and convenience, the E-Hybrid benefits from the latest cabin layout that we’ve grown to be huge fans of. The digital instrument panel is clear and filled with useful customisation options. The central infotainment display is responsive and accurate to your touch with software that is sensibly thought out. Tactile physical controls for the climate and seat settings are a major boon, and make day-to-day use a genuine pleasure.

Our test model was equipped with 14-way adjustable and massaging front seats with heating and ventilation for front and rear, finished in a light two-tone leather design that immediately moved the Cayenne into Bentayga territory in terms of luxury. It’s an expensive list of options, amounting to nearly £6,000, but it’s a sorely tempting investment. The panoramic sunroof is another welcome addition at a little over £1,500, bringing even more light into what already feels like a pleasant and airy cabin.

Straight off the bat, the £4,620 Burmester 3D surround sound system was one of the more disappointing features on our E-Hybrid. It didn’t fill the cabin, nor offer a particularly deep or immersive sound, although there are plenty of settings to play around with to find a sound you enjoy.

On the list of features, we had a passenger-side screen on the dashboard, which is fronted in special glass to avoid distracting the driver and can be loaded with all your favourite media apps. There’s configurable ambient lighting, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice control and USB C fast charging.

In terms of driving assistance, there’s lane keep assist, active speed limit assist, traffic sign recognition, parking assist with surround view and tyre pressure monitoring as standard.

Of all the Porsche Cayenne models currently on sale, the E-Hybrid variants arguably offer the most interesting overall package with greatly improved efficiency that will make a marked difference on your monthly fuel bills. They do however represent something of a compromise when it comes to performance, especially if you’re still keen to enjoy the road in your big, bulky SUV. The added weight enforces a degree of compromise to the ride, but it’s not going to dramatically disrupt the actual capabilities of the car.

It would be remiss of us to overlook the Goodwood Green Metallic paint, which is gorgeous if unpalatably pricey, but ultimately the cost of the Cayenne is substantial whichever way you look at it. Whether you’re opting for a V8 or a V6 E-Hybrid, this car remains very much at the very pinnacle of the larger SUV market, and it’s available now in more flavours than ever.