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Uncle Sam has deemed the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid worthy of an $1800 Alternative Motor Vehicle tax credit, but interested parties need to take the plunge soon: the tax break expires December 31. The idea behind such incentives is to make the typically higher prices of hybrid vehicles easier for consumers to swallow. But the $68,675 S Hybrid is the second-most expensive Cayenne after the riotously quick Turbo, which means the credit nets consumers a bonus of—wait for it—just over 2.5 percent. Still, it's a couple of monthly payments and an Hermès coloring book for the kids.
The Cayenne S Hybrid marries Audi's 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6 engine to a 47-hp electric motor for a combined peak output of 380 hp and 427 lb-ft of torque. The SUV is rated at 21 mpg city/25 mpg highway. By contrast, the V-8–powered Cayenne S offers 400 hp, returns 16 city/22 highway mpg, and starts four grand less than the pre-federal-handout S Hybrid, at $64,675.
Similar tax credits have been offered on other hybrids, although they are phased out after a manufacturer has sold 60,000 hybrids—that's why such Toyota and Honda vehicles are no longer eligible, for instance. Here are some other rides still eligible for a federal hook-up; if you'd rather one of these than a gas/electric Cayenne, though, be aware that these tax credits all expire December 31.
| Vehicle | Eligible Credit |
|---|---|
| BMW ActiveHybrid 7 | $900 |
| BMW ActiveHybrid X6 | $1550 |
| Cadillac Escalade/Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon hybrid | $2200 |
| Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra hybrid | $2200 |
| Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid | $2200 |
| Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid | $1150 |
| Nissan Altima hybrid | $2350 |
Related posts:
- 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid and 2009 Cayenne Diesel – First Drive Review
- 2011 Porsche Cayenne / Cayenne Hybrid – Auto Shows
- 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Qualify for Industry's Highest Hybrid Tax Credit – Car News
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