EPA fuel economy and range estimates for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid models have finally been released and it appears the new 17.9-kWh battery has provided a welcome improvement. The standard Cayenne E-Hybrid can travel up to 17 miles in EV mode with a full charge regardless of whether you choose the regular one or the Cayenne Coupe.
Move up to the more powerful Turbo S E-Hybrid and that range drops to 15 miles for both body styles. That’s a boost of 3 miles on all models versus the 2020 Cayenne E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid. The total range also gets a 10-mile bump to 430 miles for the standard Cayenne E-Hybrid and 370 miles for the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid. Combined fuel economy, however, remains at 21 mpg and 18 mpg for the Cayenne E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid respectively.
Since the Cayenne is a Porsche, the plug-in hybrid system is used for performance. Although the 17.9-kWh battery replacing the old 14.1-kWh unit didn’t come with a power boost, the electrified Cayenne models didn’t exactly need it. The standard Cayenne E-Hybrid takes a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and couples it to a 134-hp electric motor, the 17.9 kWh battery, and an eight-speed automatic transmission for a total system output of 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid models swap in a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, bumping the power to 670 hp and 663 lb-ft combined.
CHECK OUT: 22 new or updated hybrid and PHEVs coming in 2021
Other changes for the 2021 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid include a revised charge mode that slows down the charging rate when the battery hits 80 percent. This also enables the car to take full advantage of regenerative braking to help recharge the battery. In Sport and Sport Plus modes, the battery is kept charged to a certain point to provide maximum acceleration and immediate throttle response.
