Skip to main content

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid test drive and review

7/3/2016 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid test drive and review (Photos) | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/porschecayenneshybridtestdriveandreview
1/4
LEISURE / AUTOS & MOTORCYCLES / CAR & TRUCK ENTHUSIASTS
See also: porsche, porsche cayenne
Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid test drive and review (Photos)
March 2, 2013
1:14 AM MST

Given a choice of SUVs and a budget to match, wouldn’t an offering from one of the world’s great sports car manufacturers be a logical
choice? The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is a superbly engineered vehicle with all the advantages of a Porsche and none of the
The rarely seen headlight washer in action!

San Jose Cars Examiner
View all
19 photos 
7/3/2016 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid test drive and review (Photos) | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/porschecayenneshybridtestdriveandreview
2/4

disadvantages of an SUV.
It has a shared motor in the corporate umbrella, the excellent supercharged V-6 (see Audi S4) producing 333hp and coupled to a 47hp
electric motor and powertrain for a total rating of 380hp and 428ft lbs of torque coupled to an 8 speed automatic transmission. Keep in
mind this is combined with a 550lb weight loss from a redesign with lightweight materials versus the first generation.

The hybrid system is flawless. The most noticeable aspect is when the tachometer drops to zero when the engine shuts off and it is in
pure electric mode. It feels like it is gliding at that point. The resuming start-up of the engine is transparent unlike others that stutter and
shake.

Acceleration is more than adequate and feels quick at highway speeds. The adjustable ride is nearly perfect over all surfaces. The epower
mode has it staying longer in battery-only running. Stop-n-go traffic or waiting for a parking space wastes gas so this is a useful
feature.

The sport mode tightens up the suspension, engine and transmission characteristics. One cool aspect is with the 8-speed automatic, a
numerical display always displays what gear is engaged, rather than just showing “D”.
Rated at 20mpg city and 24mpg highway, the real-world mileage in the owner’s suburban cycle is 25mpg and 27mpg on the highway
loaded with a passenger, luggage and two sets of golf clubs. Here is a case of an underrated mileage rating. Owners will really enjoy

San Jose Cars Examiner
7/3/2016 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid test drive and review (Photos) | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/porschecayenneshybridtestdriveandreview
3/4
SUGGESTED LINKS
 Porsches don't show well - a 911 Twin Turbo Review
 Audi S4 the Bank Vault on Wheels

getting 600 miles to a tank of gas.
The interior is stylishly designed with sculpted door handles and ventilation bezels. The massive sunroof is like a targa top with an
automatic retractable sunshade. The redundant navigation and information summarized on the dashboard in front of the driver s
especially appreciated.
Excellent cargo capacity is enhance further with fold-down rear seats a separate center section for cargo pass-through. Accessing the
rear hatch, the automatic open/close function also is opening-height adjustable for variances in driver’s reach.
The seats are so comfortable with perforated leather, great support and of course, heated. They may be the best I’ve ever sat in, lacking
only the cooling option.
Only two aspects are disliked by the owner. First, the desire to lower the steering wheel to accommodate a lower seating position.
Second, the rear cargo cover fits and operates nicely but it is difficult to remove. Both a minor but leave it to Porsche to listen to their
owners and make improvements.
Xenon adaptive lights adjust for inclines and declines. Also, a clever separate bulb integrated into the headlights is for side illumination.
And the washers do a stellar job, including the on the front fenders. See the slideshow for a view.
The mirrors fold inward and have a modern design all their own. And something a lot of luxury and sports cars don’t have, is finished
brake calipers. A nice touch.
A hybrid SUV that lives up to the hype with excellent mileage combined with good power is an appealing package. Add the pedigree
and engineering expertise of one of the most accomplished sports car manufacturers on the globe and its arguably one of the finest
multi-purpose vehicles on the road.
7/3/2016 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid test drive and review (Photos) | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/article/porschecayenneshybridtestdriveandreview
4/4
© 2006-2015 AXS Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Robert Eckaus
San Jose Cars Examiner

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sixth generation Camaro V6 review

Chevrolet updated the chassis of the Camaro for 2016 with the new Alpha platform and by all accounts the approximately 250 to 300lb weight reduction was a huge improvement. Despite having a brilliant chassis and three powerful engine choices, the interior and outward visibility hardly improved at all. I wanted to like this car, I really did. It has some really good aspects but overall it’s only good for going in a straight line, not reverse or backing up out of any parking space, on public roads or modified into a track-only car.  You decide if the interior justifies a $29,000 MSRP. The 2017 model is essentially the same. The 335hp V-6 is a great engine, responsive, sounds good and with the quick shifting 8 speed automatic, the car is capable of mid-high 13 second quarter mile ETs. It feels every bit as quick as the numbers suggest. It has no appreciable dead spots and has an excellent pull. The 8 speed auto is finicky on the highway though, downshifting at the slightest provocatio...

BMW M760LI xDrive quick review

2017 BMW M760LI XDRIVE – LUXURY ON OVER-DRIVE Originally published on the new performance oriented website, Fuelcurve.com:  https://fuelcurve.com/2017-bmw-m760li-xdrive-luxury-over-drive-review/ Seeing a factory matte finish BMW raises the eyebrows. Strolling nonchalantly toward it, spotting the V-12 emblem puts a pause in your pace. Then reading the back emblem and seeing “M760i” denoting BMW’s 601hp technological tour-de-force definitely raises both eyebrows. Who knew a 2017 model year V-12, twin turbo sedan was available anywhere for nearly $172,000. This is a CEO car. It’s for the business owner who, nicely put, gives zero cares about what anyone thinks about his or her 16mpg highway Q-ship. They worked hard, employ many, and get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Or maybe wants something that is extremely modern, smooth and quiet and not care where the charging station may or may not be. Start-up and driving is like any other car in the basic sense. But extra attention is giv...

2015 Porsche Cayman GTS review and test drive

The 2015 Porsche Caymen GTS is the now the best all-around sports car under one hundred thousand dollars, replacing the prior title holder, the Porsche Caymen S. Take everything the prior S model is, add horsepower and a more track and driver oriented, visceral demeanor while retaining streetability, and that is the GTS. Besides horsepower, it adds a new body kit, a sport exhaust system, 20” wheels and a lower ride height versus the S. Conveying the balanced perfection of a Cayman isn’t easy unless it’s driven. The latest generation gives it a more exotic, grown-up look. Inside, the familiar ideal seating position with excellent outward visibility. Every surface visually sculpted, everything that is touched has an engineered quality with logic of the controls. For performance driving or track days it has a lower ride height, among the lowest center of gravity among production cars, and an engine placed where it’s supposed to be, right behind you. The sport exhaust reminds the driver th...