2018 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Is the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid a Good SUV?

Yes, the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid is a good choice among luxury midsize SUVs. It has classic Porsche performance, with swift acceleration and deft handling. Ride quality is still smooth enough to be luxury grade, though. Oddly enough, the Cayenne Hybrid's fuel economy is one of its weak spots. It's less efficient than rival hybrid SUVs, and its gas-only ratings are low as well.

Inside, this Cayenne is beautiful. Soft-touch materials cover every surface, and both rows of seats have ample comfort and space. There are also many available high-tech features, including advanced safety and driver assistance options. Though cargo space is below average, it’s still sufficient for most needs.

Should I Buy the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid?

Although the hybrid Porsche Cayenne is an excellent SUV, there are plenty of other great vehicles in this class. Many rivals can match this Porsche's awesome performance and sublime interior, all for a lower price.

If you're looking for an alternative-fuel SUV that also offers incredible performance, check out the all-electric Tesla Model X. It has a similar starting price as the Cayenne Hybrid and features a high-end interior, but it's much more fuel-efficient. You could also consider the regular Porsche Cayenne if you're put off by the Hybrid's higher price tag but want most of the SUV's other positive qualities.

Compare the Cayenne Hybrid, Model X, and Cayenne »

Should I Buy a New or Used Porsche Cayenne Hybrid?

There were no major changes to the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid for 2018, so you may want to consider shopping for a nearly identical 2017 model to save some money. You could save even more money by looking at older models in this generation, which dates back to 2011. To research some other models in this generation, read our reviews of the 2015, 2016, and 2017 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid. If you decide an older model is right for you, check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

Compare the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid »

We Did the Research for You: 51 Reviews Analyzed

Before you head to a dealership, use our car reviews to bone up on the vehicles you’re interested in. We combine professional test driver opinions with data like crash test results and reliability ratings to create a complete picture of every vehicle on our site. This 2018 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid review incorporates applicable research for all model years in this generation, which spans the 2011 through 2018 model years.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News has been ranking cars since 2007, and our team has more than 75 years of combined experience in the automotive industry. To keep our reviews unbiased, our editorial staff doesn’t accept expensive gifts or trips from automakers. All advertising on our site is handled by a third party.

How Much Does the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid Cost?

The Cayenne Hybrid’s starting price comes in at just under $80,000. That’s much higher than the base price of any nonhybrid car in the class. The good news is that there are just two trims (Cayenne Hybrid S and S Platinum), and the higher trim only costs about $3,000 more than the base model.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Porsche dealer.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid or Tesla Model X?

The Tesla Model X is the closest direct competitor to the Cayenne Hybrid. Both of these luxury midsize SUVs start right around $80,000, and they prioritize top-line performance and an opulent cabin. Your choice between these two mostly depends on which type of technology under the hood is the better fit. The Model X is all-electric, and it can go roughly 240 to 300 miles on a full charge (depending on the trim). The plug-in hybrid Cayenne Hybrid taps into its gasoline engine to support the electric motor, and that combination gives you almost 500 miles of total range.

You can fill up the Cayenne Hybrid at a regular gas station, but with the Model X, you have to plot out charging stations when taking longer trips. The Model X can haul up to seven people, and even its five-person configuration gives you more passenger room than the Cayenne. Also, the Model X has a maximum cargo capacity of 88 cubic feet versus the Cayenne Hybrid's 59.7 cubic feet. Overall, these are two excellent choices if you're looking for a high-end, environment-friendly SUV. The right model for you depends on your personal preference.

Which Is Better: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid or Porsche Cayenne?

The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and the regular Porsche Cayenne offer similar performance, interior quality, space, and amenities. Choosing between these two Cayenne models depends on how much you value higher-end performance or fuel savings (and how much you're willing to spend for either of them). The hybrid Cayenne has only one powertrain option, while the standard Porsche Cayenne offers several other muscular engine options. The Cayenne S and Cayenne GTS feature a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that blows the base engine out of the water, and they still retail for under $100,000.

Strictly comparing base models, buying a Porsche Cayenne Hybrid doesn’t make a lot of financial sense. The regular Porsche Cayenne starts at $60,600, and it'll cost you about $600 more in fuel costs per year than the hybrid model. With the hybrid's base price of $79,900, it would take you about 35 years to make up the price difference. Of course, if you were to buy a higher-trim Porsche Cayenne with lower gas mileage (and a higher sticker price), the hybrid would pay for itself quicker.

Compare the Cayenne Hybrid, Model X, and Cayenne »

Cayenne Hybrid Interior

How Many People Does the Cayenne Hybrid Seat?

This Porsche seats five. Both rows of seats are supportive. The front seats are highly adjustable and the rear seats slide forward and backward, meaning it’s easy to get comfortable wherever you’re sitting. Leather seats are standard, and you can opt for other amenities like heated seats all around or ventilated front seats.

Cayenne Hybrid and Car Seats

There are two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors. The tether anchors are easy to find and identify, and the lower anchors don’t present any issues either. Porsche also offers the Porsche Baby Seat and Porsche Junior Seat ISOFIX that comes with its own five-point seat belt system for added child safety.

Cayenne Hybrid Interior Quality

This SUV’s inviting cabin is nicer than what you’ll find in many class rivals. It looks stylish and offers plenty of soft-touch materials throughout.

Cayenne Hybrid Cargo Space

This Porsche has one of the smallest cargo holds in the class, but that doesn’t mean it’s inadequate. Its 20.5-cubic-foot space behind the rear seats is roomy enough for five sets of golf clubs or luggage for a weekend getaway. Fold the rear seats down, and you’ll have just under 60 cubic feet of room – enough for some large outdoor sporting gear.

Cayenne Hybrid Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard features in this Porsche include Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, a USB port, a 7-inch touch screen, a navigation system, and smartphone integration. Available features include a 14- or 16-speaker surround sound audio system, satellite radio, and two rear-seat-mounted touch screens with an integrated DVD drive and two USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and Apple CarPlay. For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and the Best Cars With Apple CarPlay.

Once you get used to the infotainment system, it’s pretty easy to use. However, it does have a learning curve because there are so many buttons spread across the dash that control different climate and audio functions.

Read more about interior »

Cayenne Hybrid Performance

Cayenne Hybrid Engine: One Powertrain to Rule Them All

The Cayenne E-Hybrid features a supercharged V6 engine and an electric motor that combine to produce 416 horsepower, all routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This SUV accelerates eagerly when you hit the pedal (zero to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds), and it has plenty of power on the highway.

Cayenne Hybrid Gas Mileage: Apparently Not All Hybrids Get Great Mileage

The Cayenne Hybrid gets 47 mpg-equivalent when running on electric power, but it has a short electric range (just 14 miles). After that, it uses gasoline power and only makes a combined 22 mpg city/highway. Many class rivals get better fuel economy estimates.

You’ll save about $300 per year in fuel costs by driving the Lexus RX Hybrid instead of the Cayenne Hybrid, and you’ll save more than $1,300 per year if you drive a Tesla Model X 75D.

Cayenne Hybrid Ride and Handling: Spoiler Alert – They’re Good

Don’t let the word hybrid fool you; this is still a Porsche. The Cayenne E-Hybrid delivers a smooth ride and athletic handling despite its heavy curb weight. All-wheel drive comes standard, giving you plenty of road grip in almost all circumstances.

Read more about performance »

Cayenne Hybrid Reliability

Is the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid Reliable?

The 2018 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid has an average predicted reliability rating of three out of five from J.D. Power.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid Warranty

The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. These are typical warranty terms for a luxury vehicle.

Read more about reliability »

Cayenne Hybrid Safety

Cayenne Hybrid Crash Test Results

As of this writing, the 2018 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid has not been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Cayenne Hybrid Safety Features

Available active safety features include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane change assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Read more about safety »

Which Porsche Cayenne Hybrid Model Is Right for Me?

There are two Cayenne Hybrid trims, with only about a $3,000 price difference between them. That’s not a lot when talking about an $80,000 SUV, so you might as well upgrade to the Platinum trim.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid S

The Cayenne S E-Hybrid, as it is formally called, has a base price of $79,900. It’s well-equipped, and there are a wealth of available features and option packages that range in price from $150 to nearly $7,500. These features include heated front and rear seats, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, lane change assist, a rear-seat entertainment system, Bose and Burmester audio systems, and more.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid S Platinum

The Cayenne S E-Hybrid Platinum Edition has a starting price of $82,800. In addition to the standard features, the Platinum comes with satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hot spot, heated front seats, and power-adjustable sport seats. As with the base Cayenne Hybrid, there are plenty of available features.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Porsche dealer.

See 2018 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2018 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is an outstanding vehicle. It finishes near the top of our luxury midsize SUV rankings. In addition to quick acceleration, it features one of the best cabins in the class. However, because of its high price and somewhat disappointing hybrid fuel economy estimates, there are better buys than this Porsche.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "In fact, even the Cayenne S E-Hybrid is a bona fide blast to drive, zipping to 60 mph in only 5.4 seconds, but still returning an estimated 47 mpge in hybrid electric mode. The 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission fires off shifts in milliseconds, obviating the need for any manual option." -- Kelley Blue Book (2016)
• "The 2015 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid is a combination of daily town car and weekend getaway car just like any other SUV, which is why Americans buy more utility-style vehicles than sedans. As a plug-in hybrid, the Cayenne delivers the assets of EV performance where and when you want them, so you don't feel tethered to an EV charger." -- Automobile Magazine (2015) 
• "… the S E-Hybrid will almost certainly be the Cayenne that fuel-conscious city dwellers will appreciate most. If not for its near-silent electric-only gait, its plug-in versatility, or its highly respectable fuel economy, then, it will be adored for its genetic predisposition to be as much fun on the autobahn as it is on a favorite backcountry road. Its hood does bear the Porsche crest after all." -- Motor Trend (2015)