The 2017 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid ranks 1 out of 22 Luxury Midsize SUVs. The 2017 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid emulates everything you expect from Porsche: affluence, elegance, and performance. It's both sporty and posh, but there's isn't much room for your belongings in the back, and its fuel economy is lower than what you might expect from a plug-in hybrid.
Pros Stylish and comfortable interior Agile handling Quick acceleration Feature-rich infotainment system
Cons Small cargo space Poor fuel economy for a hybrid
The 2017 Cayenne gets Porsche's latest (PCM 4.0) touchscreen infotainment system on every trim level, improving functionality. Limited Edition Cayenne and Cayenne S E-Hybrid Platinum models also join the range, bringing the trim level count up to eight. The Cayenne Diesel has been discontinued due to the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal.
Pros Truly impressive handling for a crossover SUV Wide selection of strong engines available Exquisite interior and build quality Plenty of customization options
Cons Relatively small cargo capacity for the segment Quite a few optional features should be standard given the price tag
The Cayenne is a spicy-hot mix of luxury, off-road ability, and sports-car performance—just what you’d expect in a Porsche SUV. The base model has a 300-hp V-6; the S makes 420 hp and the GTS makes 440 hp, both from a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6. There's also the S E-Hybrid. All have an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. A leather-lined cabin and infotainment with navigation make it a comfortable road tripper. The Cayenne is easy to hustle around curves and equally ready for family duty. The EPA rates the Cayenne S E-Hybrid at 46 MPGe in combined driving while depleting the battery charge and using the electric motor. As a more conventional hybrid, the Porsche is rated at 22 mpg combined. That won’t rattle the worldview of many Tesla owners, but it’s substantially better than other Cayenne models.
Need a vehicle that can do it all? The 2017 Lexus LX 570 can seat up to eight and has the ability to tow a trailer. You can tackle a backcountry trail with it, too. But read more to learn how some rival SUVs can achieve similar feats without as much compromise.The 2017 Lexus LX 570 carries over unchanged.
Pros A smooth ride over rough roads Advanced off-road capabilities Plenty of standard features.
Cons Impractical third-row seat lacks passenger space and doesn't fold flat V8 engine's poor fuel economy and sluggish acceleration Infotainment interface can be distracting to use.
Amazingly refined, the Lexus LX 570 hides its utilitarian roots exceptionally well. Think of the 2017 Lexus LX 570 as a UN Peacekeeper in a tuxedo. Underneath its glitzy, eye-catching exterior and behind its soft leather and glossy wood sits a Toyota Land Cruiser, one of the most capable and over-engineered vehicles to ever hit the road.
Pros Brawny powertrain Softer, warmer cabin materials Real towing capability As spacious inside as the exterior suggests
Cons Clunky third-row seating can't be removed Dismal fuel economy Clumsy handling Pitching-and-heaving ride
The 2017 Lexus LX ranks 6 out of 8 Luxury Large SUVs. The 2017 Lexus LX is as rugged as it is luxurious, offering exceptional capability when the pavement ends and an opulent cabin. It also has an excellent predicted reliability rating. However, many of its competitors have more cargo space and better fuel economy estimates.
Pros Exceptional off-road ability Top-notch interior Great predicted reliability rating
Cons Poor fuel economy estimates Less cargo room than rivals
