Driving the Cayenne on the Highway

The other day, I took the Cayenne E-Hybrid and went to Awaji Island with my family. We didn’t have any particular plans, but my husband said,

“Driving the Cayenne on the highway is really amazing. It’s incredibly comfortable and runs so well. How about going to Awaji Island today? Since we have the Cayenne, why not try driving it on the highway?”

So, we decided to head to Wellness Park Goshiki, a park on Awaji Island.

The round trip from our home to the destination was about 180 km, most of which was on the highway. This time, I set the car to “Hybrid Auto mode” and first got on the Hanshin Expressway Route 3 Kobe Line, which is usually busy, using the ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) during that stretch. (I plan to write an article about the Cayenne’s ACC later.)

After crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to Awaji Island, the traffic became much lighter, so I switched to Sport mode and enjoyed driving that way.

With that experience, here are my impressions this time.

How the Cayenne Drives

Exceptional Comfort

The first thing I noticed driving the Cayenne E-Hybrid on the highway was its outstanding comfort. We previously had a Panamera at home, which was also very comfortable on the highway and always impressed me, but the Cayenne felt even more comfortable.

And what really amazed me was its quietness. Our previous Panamera was a Panamera Turbo, so when you pressed the accelerator, the engine roared with a strong sports car vibe. But this Cayenne is a hybrid and doesn’t have a sport exhaust, so it was incredibly quiet while driving.

Of course, you can hear the engine when accelerating to merge or overtake, but it’s never loud. Wind noise and road noise were almost inaudible, so my husband and I could comfortably chat while driving at a relaxed pace.

Also, perhaps because of the higher seating position and the quietness, I felt less of a sense of speed than in the Panamera. The Panamera sits lower to the ground, so when accelerating, you feel the car sink into the road.

I loved that sensation of acceleration in the Panamera, and it made me realize again that even though it’s a sedan, the Panamera really is a sports car.

Strong Road Grip Yet Nimble

I used to have no interest in cars at all, but now I find myself thinking, “I can’t drive a car that doesn’t feel firmly planted on the road.” If the car feels floaty and disconnected from the ground, it makes me a bit nervous to drive.

I’ve really become a spoiled driver…

In that regard, Porsche’s suspension is always solid, so every model has a strong sense of road grip that brings great peace of mind. The Cayenne was exactly like that.

Before driving the Cayenne, I thought, “Since it’s an SUV, it might be affected a lot by crosswinds.” But even on the windy Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, affected by typhoon conditions, it handled perfectly. (I was driving within the flow of surrounding traffic.)

Also, I had imagined that carrying a motor and heavy battery would make the driving feel heavy, but it was quite the opposite — the Cayenne felt nimble.

From the moment you start moving to the moment you press the accelerator hard, the power delivery is smooth and seamless, with no sense of lacking power at all.

A few years ago, an automotive journalist said, “Porsche’s hybrids are amazing because the motor assist gives you a powerful driving experience you can’t get from gasoline cars. Don’t expect great fuel economy.” I really agree with that.

Just a few years ago, I was a paper driver who only drove slowly in the right lane on the highway, but now I can comfortably drive even in the passing lane. It makes me realize again how amazing Porsche cars are.

Fuel Economy Was Not as Good as Expected

This time, I drove about half the time in Hybrid Auto mode and half in Sport mode, but the fuel economy wasn’t as good as I had hoped.

Average fuel economy: 10.4 km/l, Average electric consumption: 16.6 kWh/100 km, Driving time: 3 hours 45 minutes, Distance: 187 km

However, I think it would be different if I used E-Power mode more actively, and since this was only my first experience driving on the highway, I believe the numbers will improve as I try different driving styles and gather more data.

By the way, my husband said about driving the Cayenne on the highway,

“It’s an incredibly comfortable car. I’ve been saying since this new Cayenne came out that its ride quality is wonderful, and I truly believe it’s a great car. The stability is outstanding, and unlike many SUVs, the front end doesn’t float up and down at all. It has a solid weightiness, rides flat and sharp, and runs like an arrow. There are fewer and fewer German cars with this kind of driving feel nowadays… It’s perfect for long-distance family trips.”

I really agree with him, and I can’t wait to drive the Cayenne all the way to Fuji Speedway someday! (Maybe by next spring.)

Since my husband has been driving the Cayenne on various roads, I hope to share his reviews with you later.