Road Test: Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid 5dr Tiptronic S

The Cayenne's midlife facelift has brought an overhaul for its petrol-electric variant. It's now a plug-in hybrid, its usefulness exponentially increased through the ability to be plugged into a socket. The battery has six times the capacity of the outgoing car's, the result of which is a 22-mile electric range, and - get this - CO2 emissions of just 79g/km, making this heffalump tax-exempt. Don't buy the 83.1mpg claim - we saw 34mpg.

Drive modes comprise E-Power (electric only), Hybrid (328bhp s'charged V6 and electric motor working in harmony) and E-Charge, where surplus power is harvested to feed the battery. Sport mode brings everything together for maximum power.

The Cayenne performs least admirably in the last of these, the injection of pace highlighting the hybrid's extra 270kg bulk over other versions, while its new electric-steering system lacks feel. Lighter, more potent Cayennes shrug off their mass, and handle like porky hot hatches; the E-Hybrid is less agile.

In its more parsimonious modes, it's good enough to justify itself to those who really want a hybrid. But it's a Porsche for those who don't prioritise driving satisfaction. Those who do should opt for the similarly priced, 627lb ft-strong Cayenne S Diesel.