EPA fuel-economy data for the new-for-2013 Porsche Cayenne diesel is out, and the twist-happy sport-ute is good for 19 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway. Those figures are fairly impressive and the latter tops the Cayenne diesel’s competitive set, including the diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec and BMW X5 xDrive35d. The efficiency may also give pause to hard-core U.S. Porschephiles reaching for their torches and pitchforks at the thought of a diesel-powered Porsche. Okay, probably not.
The Cayenne diesel’s highway number also beats out an efficiency-minded member of its own family. In what’s sure to create something of a jam for Porsche salespeople, the 29-mpg highway score is markedly better than that of the much more expensive Cayenne S hybrid, which returns 24 mpg. The hybrid edges out the diesel in the city by 1 mpg, but its base price is a significant $14,100 higher. Fuel economy aside, the S hybrid boasts a combined system output of 380 hp and 427 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged V-6/electric motor combo and it is intended as the sportier offering—hence the S moniker. As in the 2013 VW Touareg and Audi Q7 TDI models, the Cayenne diesel’s 3.0-liter V-6 pumps out 240 hp and 407 lb-ft. All of the aforementioned utes have an eight-speed automatic.
- Comparison Test: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI vs. 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
- Instrumented Test: 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid
- First Drive: 2013 Porsche Cayenne GTS
We really liked the pre-power-bumped 3.0-liter diesel in the Touareg and in our long-term Q7 TDI, and we suspect the slightly burlier version will impress when installed in the lighter Cayenne. But which eco-Cayenne to choose? Fortunately, we have already conducted a comparison test between the Touareg TDI and the Touareg hybrid (basically the same powertrains as in the Cayennes) and determined that the hybrid’s additional helping of sportiness was worth its price premium. You’re welcome, Cayenne shoppers.
