Does the Porsche Taycan live up to the hype?

8 Mar

I was fortunate to try out a brand-new Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo MY23 in a stunning Neptune Blue colour with a stylish red and blue two-tone interior. It's easily one of the most luxurious electric cars available.

Before diving into the blog, a big thanks to Porsche Wolverhampton for arranging this extended test drive.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Specification

When you choose a Taycan, you can pick from four power options: the base model '4' with 476 horsepower, the 4S with 571 horsepower, the Turbo with 680 horsepower, and the high-performance Turbo S with a whopping 761 horsepower. The Turbo S can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds.

Driving home on the motorway

Driving any Porsche is a special experience, and the Taycan is no exception.

The Cross Turismo has few drawbacks. On the motorway, the electric drive provides a strong boost for merging into traffic, overtaking, and navigating through congested areas. Opting for the adaptive cruise control adds a useful feature to the standard cruise control and speed limit option – distance control. This feature proves highly beneficial in stop-and-go traffic situations.

Taycan demonstrates efficiency over long distances. Its two-speed transmission, a unique feature among other electric vehicles (EVs), including the Audi e-tron GT co-developed with the Taycan, introduces a cruising gear for improved efficiency. Achieving 3.0 miles per kilowatt-hour (mi/kWh) on extended journeys brings you close to the official 304-mile range specified by Porsche. Activating the 'Range' mode lowers the car and enhances the Cross Turismo's aerodynamics.

Furthermore, the Taycan impresses with its quiet operation. The sound refinement is excellent, with minimal noise from roof rails and wing mirrors, and effective suppression of tire roar.

Driving the Taycan around town

The Taycan Cross Turismo is undeniably wide, measuring over 2.1 metres across with mirrors extended. Manoeuvring through tight gaps in town may require some breath-holding. Opt for wider parking spaces, and fortunately, the car is equipped with front and rear sensors, along with all-around cameras to assist in such situations.

While the steering isn't the lightest, choosing the rear-wheel steering option significantly improves the turning circle to just 11.4 metres, comparable to most family hatchbacks.

One notable concern is the limited rear visibility. Despite the support of cameras, the rearward vision is compromised, especially when there are adults in the back. The car's width and narrow rear aperture make it challenging to see what's behind you without relying on the cameras, despite the presence of large wing mirrors.

In town, the Cross Turismo shines with its adaptive air suspension. You have the flexibility to raise and lower the car as needed, and the nose lift option is conveniently accessible on the curved driver's display. The suspension also effectively absorbs bumps, ensuring a smoother ride compared to some other Porsche models.

Performance in the Taycan

Porsches are known for their performance, and the Taycan Cross Turismo upholds this reputation admirably. While it may not offer the same level of excitement as a 911, 718, or the practical Panamera Sport Turismo, it still impresses with its capabilities.

To enhance the driving experience, it's advisable to opt for rear-wheel steering and torque vectoring as additional features. With these options, the car achieves remarkable stability and agility, considering its weight of 2.2 tonnes. The dual-motor 4S variant provides excellent grip, propelling you confidently out of corners with its 530hp power output.

The steering, when in normal mode, is well-weighted, and selecting Sport or Sport Plus adds extra heft for increased confidence on twisty roads. Activating the more aggressive driving modes intensifies the power delivery from the motors, and the firmer suspension setup minimises body roll, although there wasn't much of that to begin with.

Porsche Taycan Battery & Capacity

The Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo has a battery with a total capacity of 93.4 kWh, and the usable capacity is 83.7 kWh. On a fully charged battery, you can expect an estimated range of about 220 miles (which is what I was getting from the car). However, the actual range depends on factors such as climate, terrain, use of climate control systems, and driving style.

For instance, driving at high speeds in cold weather might result in a range of around 190 miles. Driving at low speeds in mild weather could increase the range to around 370 miles.

Charging is done using a Type 2 connector, and the on-board charger has a maximum power of 11 kW. This can fully charge a depleted battery in approximately 9 hours, but a 3-phase grid connection is required for this speed. Most homes and charge points currently lack this connection, so the typical maximum charging power is 7.4 kW. This allows for a charge time of 13 hours and 30 minutes, with a charge rate of 20 miles per hour. An optional on-board charger with a maximum power of 22.0 kW is available, which can charge a fully depleted battery in around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Using a regular wall plug will take approximately 43 hours.

Rapid charging is possible through a CCS connection, with a maximum rapid charge power of 268 kW. However, the battery cannot be continuously charged at this power. In an average rapid charge session, the average charge power will be around 216 kW, charging the battery from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes. This rapid charge adds about 180 miles of range.

Porsche Taycan Interior, Style and Accessories

Operating the lower screen can be a bit challenging while driving, but the haptic feedback upon pressing controls helps. The main screen is straightforward, and navigating menus is relatively easy. For many users, utilising Apple CarPlay and Android Auto may be the most straightforward option.

Similar to other Porsches, the Taycan Cross Turismo falls short in that you often need to add numerous options to customise your ideal car. This includes selecting specific seats, a suede-like steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, an exterior off-road design pack, and a fixed panoramic roof. Adding these options significantly raises the car's price, so be prepared to spend at least £20,000 on extras, especially if you're opting for the more affordable 4 or 4S models.

While higher-spec Turbo and Turbo S models come with more standard equipment, the added features come at a considerably higher cost.

How much is a Porsche Taycan?

The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is priced between £88,255 and £162,926. While high-performance estates are somewhat rare, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo comes with a hefty price tag. Even though it doesn't have the same reputation, the Kia EV6 GT is considerably more affordable, albeit leaning more towards an SUV than an estate. Additionally, the sibling Taycan Sport Turismo is a few thousand pounds cheaper but lacks the faux-SUV aesthetics.

The 4S, boasting more power than a BMW M3 Touring, is notably less expensive. However, potential buyers should factor in the cost of additional options to tailor the car to their preferences, which might bring the overall price closer to that of the BMW.

How much does it cost through salary sacrifice?

Porsche Taycan Cross Sport Turismo

The Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo with a powerful 300 KW engine and a convenient 5-door, rear-wheel-drive automatic configuration, all available at just £979 per month using The Electric Car Scheme. If you opt for a personal lease, the car would typically cost you £1,509 per month.

However, by choosing the salary sacrifice option with a £70,000 salary, you can enjoy substantial savings. This includes £578 saved on employee income tax, £40 on employee national insurance, and only a small average benefit-in-kind tax payment of £92 over the term.

Porsche Taycan Saloon

Discover the Porsche Taycan Saloon, featuring a robust 300 KW engine and a practical 4-door, rear-wheel-drive automatic setup, offered at an attractive rate of £1,097 per month through The Electric Car Scheme. In comparison, a personal lease for the same car could run you £1,722 monthly.

Yet, with the salary sacrifice option and a salary of £70,000, you stand to benefit significantly. This includes impressive savings of £652 on employee income tax, £49 on employee national insurance, and a minimal average benefit-in-kind tax payment of just £77 over the term. Opting for the salary sacrifice route not only makes the Porsche Taycan more affordable but also brings valuable financial advantages your way.

Porsche Macan EV now available using salary sacrifice

Exciting news! The Porsche Macan EV is now up for grabs through The Electric Car Scheme, and we've got all the details in our latest blog post. Curious about what this new electric vehicle has to offer? Just click on the link here to our blog and dive into the features, technology, and overall driving experience of the Porsche Macan EV. Visit our blog post for an easy-to-follow breakdown of everything you need to know about this fantastic car.

Gaurav Ahluwalia

Gaurav, The Electric Car Scheme's Marketing Director, is a seasoned marketing leader with nearly a decade of experience in the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry. Throughout his career, Gaurav has not only honed his marketing skills but has also delved deep into the realm of electric cars, cultivating a wealth of valuable insights and innovative perspectives that make him a prominent figure in the field.