~ Auto Buzz ~: Head-to-Head Test: 2016 BMW X5 xDrive 40e VS. 2016 Porsche Cayenne S E-hybrid

Head-to-Head Test: 2016 BMW X5 xDrive 40e VS. 2016 Porsche Cayenne S E-hybrid

Trying to decide which luxury hybrid SUV to put in your driveway? You need to read this…

Well, what have we here?

Ladies and Gentleman, feast your eyes on two new(ish) key players in the niche luxury hybrid SUV segment- The BMW X5 xDrive 40e and the Porsche Cayenne S E-hybrid. These two will vie for your monthly payments in a segment growing in popularity that includes the likes of brisk sellers Infiniti QX60 and Lexus RX450h, although these two don’t directly compete with our testers. The Germans have never met a segment they’ve wanted to slice into ever-thinning pieces, and so BMW and Porsche step up to the plate with these two rides. Although late to the party, Mercedes Benz and Audi shouldn’t be far behind with models of their own.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen hybrids from these two, is it?

You may recall that both brands offered hybrid mechanicals just a few short years ago. BMW named theirs the ActiveHybrid (available not on the X5 but on its kissing cousin, the X6) and honestly, it was kind of a flop. An outrageously expensive and prohibitively weighty thing it was, but the biggest disappointment was that its hybrid credentials gave it the paltriest of edges where efficiency was concerned compared to a standard petrol engine. Porsche fared better, but not by much- its Cayenne S Hybrid was only marginally better than the V8-powered Cayenne S on which it was based. In terms of performance, BMW’s system delivered slightly better numbers than the Porsche but the more seamless nature of the Cayenne’s system made it the better choice.

What’s different this time around?

First, the X5 40e. Rather than employ the inline six from the ActiveHybrid days, BMW pairs its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with a 111 horsepower electric motor. Now, before you start thinking that this is a seriously underpowered SUV, realize two things: the 241 horsepower it brings to the table is only 41 horsepower down from the older generation 4.4 litre V8, and the N20 engine is so adept at moving the X5 around that we think it makes a strong enough case to offer it as a base engine sans hybrid drive bits. Working in concert, the drivetrain promises to allow 22 kilometers of travel under electric power alone. Run out of juice? No problem: you can use the 2.0 turbo as a means of charging the batteries while on the go, or plug it in when you park for the night or extended periods where you’ll be stopped. Even while plugging in as much as possible during our test, the engine was the main source of battery regeneration (some energy is captured while braking and coasting, too.) We faced a similar situation with our Porsche, and let it be said that this is not the most efficient way to drive these two. In the X5 40e, we averaged 13.7L/100km.

The Porsche goes about its hybridity in a similar fashion. Because It wears the crest from Stuttgart, a four cylinder just wouldn’t do, so Porsche drops a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 into the engine bay and complements it with a 95 horsepower electric motor. Like the BMW, the Cayenne doesn’t offer a whole lot of electric-only range (about 22 kilometers, similar to what you get with the Bimmer.) You can plug it in or use the engine to juice up the batteries, but the end result is similar to the BMW’s- we just wish all this slick technology would yield more efficiency. In EV mode alone, we noticed that the Porsche was much noisier than the Bimmer and felt more limp-wristed than the 16 horsepower electric motor deficit would imply. However, summon the whole system’s power output of 416 ponies and the Porsche moves forward with pleasing urgency for such a heavy vehicle, easily trumping the X5 in every performance metric there is.

Which one should I choose?

Although BMW is known for engineering engaging vehicles where driver involvement is concerned, the X5 40 e misses the mark somewhat. This shouldn’t resonate negatively with those who will end up buying it though- the X5’s purpose in life means it is not meant to be an apex carver. That doesn’t mean the X5 lacks the same polished dynamics as other BMW’s. It still rides comfortably, its unwavering structure eliminates squeaks and rattles and responds obediently to all inputs at the controls. The only performance gripe we’d make would be that the brake pedals feel can sometimes feel vague and the system tries to work out smooth deceleration while regenerating juice for the battery. Other niggles are that it takes longer to recharge the batteries when plugged in compared to the Porsche, and an as-tested price of nearly $100,000.

Through its exhaustively comprehensive options catalogue, it has never been difficult to launch any Porsche model into the pricing stratosphere, but our tester was built with relative restraint- its price tag of $105,805 isn’t cheap, yet still represents one of the more realistically priced examples we’ve seen from the company. For that sum, you are rewarded with a hybrid experience that isn’t mutually exclusive to the notion of fun-to-drive. This 2,425 kg SUV is eager to play, and exhibits an assured confidence when you show it some corners or jump on the brakes when setting up for a turn, initiated by what has to be one of the more perfect steering wheels in the business. As fun as it is, the Porsche isn’t immune to missteps- the supercharged V6 is the least sonorous engine in Porsche’s lineup, the cargo area is woefully small and we expected a more seamless when shuttling between gas and electric power with the e-hybrid system plucked from the mighty 918 Spyder.

The answer to the question of which one to put in your driveway will depend largely on your priorities. Both cost around the same, and both offer similar levels of efficiency with the ability to drive similar distances on electric power alone. You can plug both of them in where possible. If your priorities lie in more of a family hauler context, you should get the BMW. It feels more like the better people mover. If it’s sporting bent you covet, sign on the dotted line for the Porsche.

What might go wrong?

The elephant in the room lurks in the shadows when the question about the relevancy of these two is posed. While we have no doubt that both Porsche and BMW will have no trouble selling all the units they plan to build, we began to wonder if perhaps the diesel versions of each SUV make more sense. They cost less, are faster and more fun to drive, weigh less and perhaps most importantly, are more efficient. Still, if you want all the virtues of a luxury SUV and have a short, mostly city based commute, you’ll be deciding on which one of these two suits you best.

2016 Porsche Cayenne S E-hybrid – Specifications