- The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid replaces the non-plug-in Turbo
- It is up to 42 miles wide, according to this gauge
- It's $148,550 for the SUV, $153,050 for the Coupe
If you're looking for a luxury car, you've got it—but let's be adults here. It's time to make some concessions to efficiency.
The new wave of upcoming plug-in hybrids has larger batteries and wider electric ranges, backed by gas power. They will allow daily driving on electric power with gas backup if necessary. How is that done by consensus?
We are still occupying the space of the deceased, lamented Chevy Volt. Today's plug-in Toyota RAV4 and Prius and a host of others fill most of that bill, too. But for the well-heeled, the optional plug-in hybrid might look a lot like—I hear— Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid.
Why? It has the ability to act as three different vehicles. On long stretches of the interstate and the ramps that lead to them, the V-8 howlers in the corner. It's a smart hybrid-mode vehicle to tow flat-pack furniture and big-box luxuries. It's also cleverly wrapped in the same unibody wrap, and it's a plug-in car, one that ranges from 24 to 42 miles on the pump, according to the EPA and the gauge on the model I drove over the holidays.
2025 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid test drive review
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Turbo: V-8 whining in the corner
Save as much as you can afford, but don't make a mistake. This Cayenne wears its V-8 heart on its sleeve most of the time, cutting through terrain like a hydrofoil powered by pure fury.
It sports one muscular powertrain under the hood. The Turbo E-Hybrid, which Porsche sells in both SUV and “Coupe” guises, connects 25.9-kwh lithium-ion battery to a 174-hp electric motor which includes a 591-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 for 729 highway hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. Brutally fast, Porsche ditched the simple Turbo system. It does 0-60 mph times in 3.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 183 mph—and it does the past so easily that it's easy to look like a complete jackass when trying to merge with moving traffic.
Whipped around an exit ramp or four—the only source of driving fun here on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico—the Cayenne taps its two-chamber, two-valve air suspension and continuous damping dancing like it doesn't gain more than 5,000 pounds. Equipped with that setup and a torque-vectoring system and rear-axle steering, the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid never compromises its excellent damping even on its 22-inch sport tires. Porsche doesn't dial in as much lateral stiffness as other German SUVs, and that leaves this expensive Cayenne relaxed when it needs to be—and not too stiff when the suspension is turned into Sport mode.
2025 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid test drive review
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Turbo: A smart hybrid hauler, too
The Cayenne lives up to its SUV future without much trouble, either. It's pulling on the ropes as it does its list of chores and errands—but it will do it, and it will do it well.
The coupe's sleek styling cuts through some of the materials baked into its body, but both Cayennes can flip, roll, and finesse their way home with people and cargo intact. Many upgrades affect the Cayenne's interior comfort, from my test car's 18-way white leather sport seats to wireless smartphone charging and a stunning teal paint job colored like a winter storm.
The ride is quiet, and the comfort is boring for the passengers in the front seats. A cinch, in that standard sports seats can be too tight for some wide frames, where Porsche sells 14-way seats with flat cushions. Of burrito-snug gaming chairsurrounded by digital displays and a touchscreen that wirelessly accesses the disco cutouts and lights them up in the cabin, I couldn't see why I'd choose a regular sedan over the tall but equally refined Cayenne.
The second row seats support two large passengers with plenty of space, while the third section should be nice and airy. But when they're not invited, and when interior space is needed to find things instead, the Cayenne is up to the task. I The Cayenne SUV has a cargo space of 27.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which can be extended to him 60.3 cubic feet they are also folded down. That's big enough to bring home a new home office setup, shipped to the nearest warehouse, no sweat broken, while a cheerful artificial voice points us out of the parking lot and on to brunch.
2025 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid test drive review
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Turbo: EV skinflint
Not everyone needs this much power, so the Cayenne E-Hybrid or Cayenne S E-Hybrid may be enough for many drivers who want better economy at all times. However, in my particular use case, the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid performed as well as those smaller models.
It is because my daily commute rarely takes me more than 20 miles in any way-and because charging costs are zero. I live in an area where low-power Level 2 EV charging of about 6 kw is always free for all residents—so, OK, maybe not free, but it's social for all of us neighbors.
So thanks to those features, and the much better 11-kw charger, I pushed the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid up to an indicated range of 42 miles before I left for the day's errands. I wanted to drive as much as I could without tapping into the power of the gas engine, which I took to mean a trip to get Borgonzola cheese and Mamitas corn cheese and other tasty snacks at the nearest Aldi, which is 16 miles away if you drive by. Apple Mapsto count.
At first, it was a false start. I plugged the J1772 connector into the E-Hybrid charging port and nothing happened. I tried a second time, and the port was flashing red with a green blink. Did it work? It was, but something about that interface option doesn't register correctly, not when most EVs flash green or blue while charging.
From 42 miles on the dash when I pulled the plug and hit the road, the Cayenne quickly sank to 39 miles when I exited the complex. Its endless recalculation of range slipped as I drove along the coast road, and on near zero highs and constant 60-degree temperaturesthe route has released the full range from the powertrain. It cruised quietly at an average speed of about 42 mph, with tire roar and synthetic motor sounds heard in some background voices. The previous plug-in Cayennes could muster 15 miles of electric range from a tiny 17.9-kwh battery, but I cruised all the way to the grocery store with more than half the expected range on the clock when I parked.
I The EPA rates the E-Hybrid at just 24 miles of electric range, but I was able to drive to Aldi and back, a total of 32 miles, and come away with a suggested 15 electric miles.
I could drive the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid for free, if I used it in my normal driving cycle—and if I plugged it in every day. Not all drivers can afford such luxury, or want to pick up a charger after spending nearly $160,000 for the privilege of driving something so powerful and so rewarding.
But I am such a driver. I've been charging it every day, and driving it brutally.
Looking for evidence? The avocados were three for $2, but I only got two. Because that's all we needed.
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2025 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Turbo
Basic price: $158,995, including a $1,995 destination charge
Price as checked: $192,910 (includes carbon-ceramic brakes, Burmester sound, and more)
Drivetrain: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 plug-in hybrid, 729 hp/700 lb-ft of torque
EPA fuel economy: 19 mpg combined, 24 miles range
Hits: Triple threat powertrain, handling whips, full of technology
Don't miss: It is very expensive; owners who get pouty when asked to save even a little