Porsche Cayenne V6 958.1 vs Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Tonale PHEV hits 100 km/h in 6.30 s versus 7.16 s for the Cayenne V6. The instant torque of 430 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.86 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the Tonale PHEV is doing 129 km/h against 122 km/h for the Cayenne V6. The gap is 0.25 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Tonale PHEV crosses the line in 14.52 s versus 15.12 s. The 0.60 s gap represents roughly 25 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the Tonale PHEV continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 179 km/h versus 169 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Tonale PHEV finishes in 26.24 s versus 27.65 s, with a 1.41 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (223 km/h), the Cayenne V6 never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Cayenne V6 is capped at 230 km/h, the Tonale PHEV at 200 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.40 seconds. The 0.86 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.