Porsche Cayenne SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2

With huge power and considerable weight, high-performance SUVs typically cost a small fortune to run, and the latest Cayenne is unlikely to be different. Aside from the obvious expense of fuel, regular maintenance and consumable parts will be costly to keep on top of – and most drivers will find it expensive to insure. The plug-in hybrid E-Hybrid models will cut some of the running costs, with the cost of fuel and emissions-related tax reducing significantly, particularly for business drivers.

Previous models have also been sought-after on the used market and the third generation is likely to fare no worse, although it's worth noting that the entry-level models tend to hold onto a greater proportion of their value three years on.

Porsche Cayenne MPG & CO2

Porsche is one of several companies to have turned their back on diesel engines. The Cayenne E-Hybrid plug-in model is the fuel-economy hero of the range, capable of up to 188mpg in official testing while emitting as little as 33g/km of CO2 from its tailpipes. In real-world driving, however, you won’t likely achieve such impressive fuel economy figures unless you’re driving with the petrol engine off for the vast majority of the time, and keeping the battery regularly topped up.

Of the pure petrol models, the entry-level, single-turbo 3.0-litre V6 Cayenne is the most economical, with economy of up to 26.2mpg claimed, while the more powerful 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged Cayenne S is predictably worse at 22.8mpg. In GTS guise, this same engine is capable of up to 22.4mpg – marginally worse than the S – but in our tests we managed a shockingly bad 14.8mpg. We weren’t driving particularly economically, however, and in reality fuel economy is probably not the main concern for the buyer of one of these racier models.

If you're lucky enough to run one as a company car, you'll face the maximum Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rating on all Cayennes bar the E-Hybrid, but with CO2 emissions of between 282 and 303g/km, the Cayenne S is by far the most polluting. The entry-level Cayenne emits between 246 and 275g/km, while the E-Hybrid is the least polluting, with emissions ranging from 33 to 42g/km.

Every Cayenne costs more than £40,000, so each one incurs a large tax surcharge. This means petrol versions cost over £500 in yearly VED tax in years two to six, at which point the annual charge will fall to the standard rate. Hybrid versions cost £10 less each year.

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Insurance

Range-topping Cayennes are rated in insurance group 50, while the Cayenne S occupies group 48. The lowest insurance group you can expect is 44, which applies to the entry-level petrol model. As always, we strongly recommend you seek an insurance quote before agreeing to a new car purchase.

Servicing

Porsche Cayenne service intervals are relatively straightforward, with a yearly oil service required, a minor service after two years or 20,000 miles and a major service every four years or 40,000 miles. Service costs vary by model, but range from around £450 for a minor service to £600 for a major. There may be further costs, though, if additional parts are found to need replacement.

Bear in mind that other maintenance costs will be steep. Consumable items such as brake discs and pads are pricey to replace, and new tyres won't come cheap, either, especially when the biggest wheels are fitted.

Warranty

Porsche provides UK customers with a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty that includes European breakdown cover. You can also choose to add a Porsche Approved warranty at any time while your original warranty is in place, although you have to pay for a 111-point inspection if you choose the warranty extension outside the first year of ownership.