Porsche’s first SUV remains one of its most important vehicles, and the automaker has continued to update and improve it to remain competitive against increasingly heavy-hitting competition. The Cayenne E-Hybrid has been around for several years now but has been updated for the 2021 model year with a larger battery pack and updated battery management that allows it to more efficiently pair with the vehicle’s gas engine.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid is offered in both standard and coupe body styles and derives 455 horsepower, 516 pound-feet of torque, and a 4.7-second 0-60 mph time from its plug-in hybrid powertrain, comprised of a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 paired with an electric motor. Power hits all four wheels through an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic gearbox. Porsche Traction Management is also on board and offers clutch-driven torque vectoring. The E-Hybrid’s battery pack has been increased in capacity for 2021, and is now 17.9 kilowatt-hours, up from the previous 14.1 kWh.

EPA estimates peg the E-Hybrid at up to 46 MPGe combined in electric mode, with 17 miles of electric range, and 21 mpg combined in hybrid mode.

Partial leather upholstery is standard for the Cayenne E-Hybrid, and the vehicle offers several connectivity- and power options to its passengers. Four USB-C ports are standard, as are three 12-volt plugs. Features such as navigation, SiriusXM radio, HD radio, voice controls, Apple CarPlay (Android Auto isn’t available), and Bluetooth are also standard.

Porsche offers a few standard features in the safety category, including a parking assist system, but most are withheld for those willing to pay more. Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have gotten their hands on the Cayenne for testing at this time.

Porsche does offer a vast list of add-ons, each of which drives the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s price tag quickly upward. They include a $1,720 head-up display, a $2,420 night-vision assist system, a $950 lane-change assist system, a $1,200 surround-view camera system, a $3,610 adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist system, and a stand-alone $2,000 adaptive cruise system.

A la carte options continue throughout the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s online configuration tool, so the vehicle’s base price of $83,150 won’t stay that way for long. The Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe starts at $88,950. Both prices include a $1,350 destination charge.