The Porsche Cayenne is a pretty versatile and practical option for a luxury SUV. There are only a few trim levels, but they vary drastically in what they have to offer, and the add-ons are seemingly endless. The trim levels of the Cayenne aren’t all that easy to understand, and it’s hard to figure out where they are in relation to each other as well. As the second-highest trim level available, and one of the most expensive, is the hybrid version of the Porsche Cayenne really better than the rest?

The short answer: yes

Everything about the Porsche Cayenne is better as a hybrid. It has a better start-stop experience, all-wheel drive using the hybrid drive train, and much better gas mileage. You don’t lose any of the practicality of having your high-end luxury SUV, and you get the modern touch of it being a hybrid.

The drivetrain sacrifices nothing to make way for a hybrid system, and it’s absolutely fantastic. Under the hood is a whiney supercharged V6 that promises the Porsche driving experience, and combined with a hybrid provides more torque than in the lower models. The engine, supercharger, and hybrid system are incredibly reliable, and even though it’s a hybrid it doesn’t require any extensively high maintenance cost — other than, you know, the fact that Porsche maintenance costs are high in general.

Cosmetically there isn’t much that sets the hybrid apart from the rest, except a small badging on the side that reads “hybrid” in a cursive font and some hybrid badging on the dashboard. If you removed these most people wouldn’t be able to tell any difference between it and any other Cayenne trim level — except the Cayenne GTS, of course. The Porsche Cayenne is a great looking full-sized SUV option for getting high-end luxury, and the hybrid motor only improves the driving experience.

Setbacks to the Cayenne hybrid system

The hybrid version of the Porsche Cayenne is more expensive than the base model and several other trim levels, but it still prices well amongst competition of the same caliber. Porsche spared no detail when it comes to the interior of the Cayenne, and that goes as far as making sure it drives as smoothly as possible. Having the hybrid drive train gives the Cayenne a quick acceleration, and can improve the cars overall fuel economy — which still isn’t that great.

With the hybrid system, there are additional screens that you can access to view the car’s charging of the hybrid batteries while you drive. This is visible on the dashboard and in the infotainment system but they aren’t intuitive or user friendly. Having the hybrid system also increases the car’s overall torque, but without the towing package, many Cayenne hybrid owners are shocked to discover they can’t tow anything.