Porsche’s aren’t cheap. Well, they are if you buy one used, anyways. A new Porsche is going to cost you some serious money, however. And to be honest, it might just be worth it. 

Say what you want about Porsche, but the German automaker really knows how to make a luxury vehicle. The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is the perfect example of this. It’s the most powerful Cayenne trim available, and it has Kelley Blue Book eager for more.

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is too good to be true

The hybrid division is one of the most competitive and fastest-growing markets in the auto world. Automakers that scoffed at Tesla are now frantically trying to crank out hybrids and EVs. And Porsche is no exception. The major difference is that Porsche might be doing it better. 

The new plug-in Turbo S E-Hybrid is the most powerful Cayenne available. Seriously. Naysayers may be on the fence about hybrids, but the proof is in the numbers.

The Hybrid Cayenne gets an astonishing 670 hp. Even better is the speed. The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid can reach up 183 mph, and can go from 0 to 60 in a mere 3.6 seconds. There are sports cars out there that can’t do that.

Given this, it’s no surprise that Kelley Blue Book compares the Cayenne to a sports car when it stated,

“Porsche’s Cayenne for 2021 may be an SUV, but its lower center-of-gravity engine and lightweight aluminum construction make it ride and handle like a lithe sports car. Acceleration and passing power are never in short supply.”

Don’t loan your Cayenne to your off-road friends

Why should you avoid letting your off-road friends borrow your Cayenne? Because they’ll have a blast in it. So tell them they can’t borrow it, unless you go with them. But is the 2021 Porsche Cayenne even capable of going off-road? It’s a luxury SUV, after all. Luxury and off-road aren’t exactly synonymous. 

As it turns out, the Cayenne is actually a very good off-road vehicle. Kelley Blue Book reports,

“Although most Cayennes will never go off-road, with the optional air suspension, the Cayenne can elevate its ground clearance to 9.4 inches and ford water as deep as 20.6 inches. There’s even an optional off-road package.”

If you’re scratching your head, wondering when anyone has ever taken a Porsche Cayenne off-road, keep in mind that one was placed in the Transsyberia Rally in 2007. It’s a race that goes from Moscow across the Mongolian Steppe that’s 4,400-miles.

The Porsche Cayenne won not only in 2007, but in 2008 as well, proving that Cayennes’ belong anywhere you decide to drive them. The only thing the 2021 model has done is take the off-road abilities to the next level.

As great as the 2021 Porsche Cayenne is, it does have its faults

The biggest complaint Kelley Blue Book had about the 2021 Porsche Cayenne was the costs. The review site stated that there were several other competitors such as the Audi SQ5, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE that are much cheaper. You also have to shell out a lot more money for desirable features that should be standard at that price level.

So how much does the 2021 Porsche Cayenne costs? Brace yourselves. It starts at $69,000. For that price, you get Integrated 4D Chassis Control, 19-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, Porsche Communication Management featuring a 12.3-inch touch screen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker/150-watt audio system, front and rear park assist, LED headlights and taillights, keyless entry with push-button start and an 8-way-power driver’s seat.

That’s a lot, but to get desirable features like PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) system, which prevents the Cayenne from jerking and twerking as you drive down the road, you have to pay out more money.

The other major area that Kelley Blue doesn’t like is the lack of Android Auto. It’s really shocking that Porsche doesn’t offer this feature, especially at this price range. It’s 2020, after all. Consumers expect to have technology features in a new vehicle. When they don’t get it, they might choose to go elsewhere.