What is the best Plug-in Hybrid SUV?

[snstevens]

My wife's Lexus RX Hybrid is coming off warranty and we're in the market for a new vehicle for her. We love to hike in the Cascades where HVDC charging infrastructure is either weak or non-existent (even for a Tesla). I have also been waiting to hear from Porsche that they will move to NACS, and perhaps even partner with Tesla, but no joy at this point. As the title suggests, I'm leaning toward a plug-in hybrid at this point (but open also to creative alternatives).

So I'm turning to the Forum for some advice. Assuming cost is not an issue (sort of), what vehicle would you recommend? If I get a wide range of suggestions, I'll put a poll in place, but right now I want to leave it open-ended.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

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[007]

My wife's Lexus RX Hybrid is coming off warranty and we're in the market for a new vehicle for her. We love to hike in the Cascades where HVDC charging infrastructure is either weak or non-existent (even for a Tesla). I have also been waiting to hear from Porsche that they will move to NACS, and perhaps even partner with Tesla, but no joy at this point. As the title suggests, I'm leaning toward a plug-in hybrid at this point (but open also to creative alternatives).

So I'm turning to the Forum for some advice. Assuming cost is not an issue (sort of), what vehicle would you recommend? If I get a wide range of suggestions, I'll put a poll in place, but right now I want to leave it open-ended.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

The new Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe

 

[daveo4EV]

or the BMW X5 - 95% as good as the Cayenne - but 30-40% cheaper - better software and tech - slight worse driving manners (but still excellent)

 

[RAHRCR]

Cayenne is an obvious answer but it doesn’t appeal as much to rational SUV buyers that enjoy vehicles like the Lexus. I actually am in the market for a new hybrid SUV for my wife. I am leaning towards the new Lexus 450+ for her. I think it answers the mail on the stuff she cares about.

 

[007]

or the BMW X5 - 95% as good as the Cayenne - but 30-40% cheaper - better software and tech - slight worse driving manners (but still excellent)

But if price is not an issue… then… Cayenne?

 

[McgR]

I had an X5 45e before the Taycan and was very happy with it.

good electric range. Great inline 6 sound. Economy wasn’t even that bad for a heavy 6 cylinder petrol. I think I was around 10 l per 100 km on long trips. Around 110 K euro almost fully optioned. A Cayenne will be much more expensive.

I did some 1000 km trips with the Taycan and it works but takes more planning. For the roadtrips I sometimes wonder why I switched to the Taycan. But he Taycan is nicer to drive on the highway and in the mountains. I had rear wheel steering on both.

somehow the Taycan is noisier at low speeds compared to the x5 in full electric mode. Both had acoustic glass and not the largest tires. Seems to be the road surface and the tires on the Taycan.

I had the x5 for 2 years and the only thing I had to do is switch between summer and winter tires and one normal maintenance. Completely different with the Taycan. Six visits to the dealer and each time two days or more without my car. And it is starting to get on my nerves. And those where all defects no tire switching or maintenance.

 

[daveo4EV]

But if price is not an issue… then… Cayenne?

not necessarily - I believe the X5's strenghts will be used more day to day than the superior driving manners of the Cayenne - for around town the two SUv's are equivalent - Cayenne is superior in spirited driving and there is no way the X5 Hybrid would be as good a camera platform on track as my 2021 Cayenne was a year or so ago…

but day to day to day - the X5's parking 3D view is AWESOME, phone as a key, better infotainment, and slightly better ride and slightly less sporty might appeal to the kids/spouse grocery getter and soccer practice jobs/tasks - space/cargo is about identical, range about identical

I give the nod to the X5 over the Cayenne for day to day to day duties and the better software and parking surround view will be used every day - the Cayenne's strengths are mostly lost on most spouses and kids - but you pay dearly for them in terms of retail price - X5 hybrids are also easier to get and less constrained and not quite the unobtainium that Cayenne Hybrids …

I give the nod to the X5 hybrid based on:

• similar build quality
• nearly identical dimensions (cargo & exterior)
  • 1, 2, 4 adult comfort is about the same front and rear
• styling of both is more than acceptable in my opinion
• Cayenne superior driving for high performance driving (not done a lot in an SUV) - but around town and off track is there really a difference?
• X5 has dramatically better software systems and feature set
• identical range in pure EV mode
• similar/identical quality interior materials if you option them
• X5 hybrids can be had for 30-40% less than similar Cayenne and can actually be "had" in less time than a Porsche dealer will take to return your call

it's a hard call for my personally - but my good buddy has an X5 hybrid and I'm very very very very hard pressed to find where my extra money went when I compare my 2021 Cayenne TurboS eHybrid to his 2022 X5 hybrid…and his parking surround view looks like you're carrying a extra person around with you to fly a drone around your car while you're parking it.

there is no way the X5 hybrid would chase down my Cayenne on track and that application will separate the two vehicle's - no question. But I'm hard pressed to give the nod to the Cayenne over the X5 based on superior track manners and stamina - it's just not a thing you buy SUV's to do…especially hybrid-SUV's…there is no question the Cayenne has some superior mechanicals and high end capabilities - I just don't see the use case for a hybrid SUV "needing" that and paying the price for it…for which Porsche charges aggressively. The X5 is close enought (cause it's pretty good) that unless you're tracking the 2 vehicles I defy anyone to show me the difference.

I suggest test driving both and pricing them head to head and make your own call - but it's a strong contender IMHO and you will save actual meaningful monies.

 

[daveo4EV]

But if price is not an issue… then… Cayenne?

_FULLY_ OPTIONED the X5 hybrid is less than 100k - and 12 in stock in the SF Bay area

 

[daveo4EV]

$8000 more for the Cayenne S eHybrid _BEFORE_ you option the Cayenne vs. a FULLY optioned X5 hybrid.

so $92k FULLY optioned BMW X5 or $100k Cayenne before you add _ANY_ options

personally I'm hard pressed to see where the money's going in this case…and there is no way I'm not adding $30k worth of porsche options to a Cayenne - it will be $140k by the time I'm done with it.

 

[007]

$8000 more for the Cayenne S eHybrid _BEFORE_ you option the Cayenne vs. a FULLY optioned X5 hybrid.

so $92k FULLY optioned BMW X5 or $100k Cayenne before you add _ANY_ options

personally I'm hard pressed to see where the money's going in this case…and there is no way I'm not adding $30k worth of porsche options to a Cayenne - it will be $140k by the time I'm done with it.

I agree, for value (ie “if it was my money”), I would do X5. If money doesn’t matter, then this would be my choice:

https://configurator.porsche.com/porsche-code/PR17C1T7

 

[snstevens]

Great stuff! Keep it coming

 

[daveo4EV]

I agree, for value (ie “if it was my money”), I would do X5. If money doesn’t matter, then this would be my choice:

https://configurator.porsche.com/porsche-code/PR17C1T7

that’s a great build! love it! but i’d rather take the $103k delta and put it towards a $175k gt4 spyder RS and have the x5 hybrid & the gt4 spyder!

 

[arijaycomet]

IMO, nothing beats the PHEV selection from Volvo. They have some of the longest ranges available in all electric. They also give you a true plug-in hybrid, so that you can truly maximize the battery rather than a mild hybrid. Also, once the battery is depleted, the net MPG you will get on gasoline in the Volvo is class best in most cases.

What others have said is also true, that the Cayenne is amazing. But, if you're going that route, you probably care more about performance. Porsche chassis dynamics would best most any car out there, definitely Volvo, and probably BMW/Audi too. So it may really depend on what you value most.

We have had a LOT of newer BEV products from Volvo and the Google based infotainment system is divine. While the ride quality of Volvo isn't on the same level as BMW/Porsche, the infotainment, software (mobile app etc), and infotainment, are easier to use. My wife is replacing her Volvo XC40 BEV with a new EX30 BEV when they arrive next year; but she is anxious to see if the Macan BEV is worth going to a Porsche. That said, she is not a fan of the PCM UX compared to Volvo.

Good luck/happy shopping!

 

[andix]

Had to solve the same question just recently.

Long answer short: BMW X5 50e

 

[Archimedes]

Love BMWs, but the drivers seats and ergos suck compared to Porsche IMO. That’s huge to me.

The 24 Cayenne S with the new TT V8 and new suspension would be my choice.

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