FACTS AT A GLANCE
Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid £61,474
Engine: 3.0-litre petrol unit plus electric motor producing a combined 423bhp and 435lb/ft of torque
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic driving all four wheels
Performance: Top speed 151mph, 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds
Economy: 83.1mpg combined
Emissions: 79g/km of CO2

IT’S OUT with the old, regular hybrid Cayenne and in the with a new, fancy plug-in hybrid version – this way Porsche can further reduce the car’s CO2 footprint and boast improved fuel economy and CO2 numbers plus the ability for the car to run on electric power alone.

This makes it great for emissions-free city motoring, and adds another welcome dimension when it comes to performance driving as you get the combined shove of the Cayenne’s 329bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine and the 94bhp electric motor. The cherry on the cake is the ability to fully charge in a few hours or even when on the move for added flexibility.

The Cayenne has matured considerably since it first appeared. And after some resistance from the purists, the Cayenne commands a considerable amount of respect. It’s done wonders for Porsche’s bottom line, and it’s hard not to be impressive by its on and off-road agility. Factor in the super frugal plug-in hybrid variant’s attributes – 79g/km CO2, 83.1mpg – and this large SUV starts to make a lot of sense.

It’s the same deal in the cabin, as the five-seat layout is ideal for growing families and there’s no shortage of oddment storage space dotted around the cabin either.

Crisp, clear instrumentation and a comfortable driving position make this one of the best thought out experiences in the SUV market. The lofty driving position helps, but so does the car’s lack of pitch and roll when on the move – great for when you want to press on. And press on you can, thanks in the main to the V6 engine and electric motor combination. Best of all, you can run for a fraction over 20 miles on electricity alone and top out at 78mph before the V6 engine kicks in.

The combination of a 79g/km CO2 rating plus city car fuel consumption should swing it for business users keen to pay as little tax as possible. This plug-in hybrid SUV offers the best of both worlds: electric only refinement around town and impressive flexibility away from the city limits. Charging costs are also low and kit levels are generous - even by Porsche’s own standards.

Business users keen to minimise their tax spend but also keen on owning a do-it-all family-size SUV should take a serious look at Porsche’s hybrid Cayenne.

This car summed up in a single word: flexible If this car was a…: shiny new tech gadget you craved – it would be one that delivered on its maker’s promisesDespite the presence of all the hybrid hardware there’s no impact on cabin space. Porsche’s engineers have worked hard to ensure that the sizeable battery pack sits under the boot floor, and you’d struggle to find fault with the amount of load space available anyway. From the driver’s perspective the Cayenne is similar to most other modern Porsches. At the premium SUV level this is always a subjective subject, however in the case of this hybrid Cayenne the on-paper numbers are impressive. The car’s plug-in recharging component doesn’t require lengthy overnight sessions, which further boosts its appeal. And this dual purpose 4x4 can play at being ultra quiet supermini around town yet also deliver a surprisingly sprightly performance when both petrol engine and electric motor work together - something that should please keen drivers everywhere., and its appearance is now more in line with the rest of the Porsche familySo, cue soft lines and a design that does much to flatter its, ahem, large stance. As such, the Cayenne is less intimidating when viewed through your rear view mirror.The Cayenne’s combined output should be sufficient to put a smile on most faces, while it’s class-leading agility remains impressive both on and off-road despite the presence of the added hybrid kit. Combined with diesel-like performance.