Is the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S a Good EV? 6 Pros, 3 Cons
Instead of the uninspiring driving experience and feel of some electric vehicle, the Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S delivers the kind of performance you’d expect from a Porsche. With sharp reflexes and sports car handling, it’s an absolute kick to drive. The Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S also delivers superb acceleration thanks to a twin-engine powertrain that delivers 750 horsepower and 774 pound-feet of torque.
Other features include a four-door wagon configuration and a tailgate that provides added utility and cargo room compared to the Taycan sedan, if not like one of Porsche’s SUVs. A standard all-wheel drive system with height-adjustable suspension gives the Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S extra capability in bad weather and even light off-road. When it comes to range, the latest Porsche EV comes short.
We recently had a chance to spend some time with the 2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S and found more pros than cons. For an in-depth look at what they are, click the link above for Joe Bruzek’s expert review. For a brief overview, read about six things we liked and three we didn’t.
The things we love
1. It’s fast
The declared 750 hp can only be exploited while using the quick start control mode, resulting in a 0-60 mph acceleration of 2.7 seconds. The rest of the time, the Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S gets 616 hp, leading to a 3.1 second sprint from 0-60. As with most electricity, the power delivery is smooth and instant.
2. Intelligent handling
Equipped with the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control sports suspension, our test car demonstrated the sports car’s handling with excellent steering feel. The wide Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Sport summer tires provided solid grip, and the Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S felt surprisingly agile and responsive, especially considering its 5,199-pound total weight.
3. Fun soundtrack
Porsche has chosen to abandon the canned powertrain sounds some electric car makers use in favor of one that sounds like you’re listening to what’s going on inside an engine. Audio follows along with changes in response to accelerator inputs, increasing the auditory experience rather than masking it.
4. Cart configuration
With a more wagon-like shape than the Taycan sedan, the Cross Turismo gains enough luggage space and a large tailgate for easy access. The space isn’t big enough for a bicycle or other bulky gear, but it does add to the cargo capacity and lends a certain distinct style. Arguably the biggest advantage is that the longer roof adds 3.62 inches of headroom in the rear seat compared to the sedan, making the space more convenient for adult passengers.
5. Indoor housing
With rich-looking leather and high-quality materials throughout, our test car’s interior looked and felt just as good as you’d expect in a luxury car. The overall appearance is luxurious and well-finished, especially when compared to the basic and dated look of the.
6. Find your own fuel
The onboard navigation system in a Porsche borrows a page from Tesla’s playbook and includes a trip planning function that can automatically include side trips along the route. This not only helps relieve the inevitable range anxiety due to the Taycan’s limited range, but also helps speed up the downtime between stops. Another advantage is that Porsche can draw up to 270 percent of power from a DC fast charger, which means it can go from 5% to 80% charge in just 23 minutes, according to the automaker.
1. Limited range
The EPA says the Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S has a range of just 202 miles in normal driving, less than many electric vehicles and significantly less than competing Tesla models. The good news: We’ve done better than that, and Porsche can quickly take over. The best news is that Porsche says 2023 models will have increased range and faster charging times, and these modifications can be added to older Taycans with a free dealer-installed software update.
2. Without handles
Unfortunately, Porsche has joined some other automakers in thinking that all electric cars need unconventional controls. The Taycan abandons any kind of physical knobs and buttons for two more difficult-to-use touch screens in action. At least, the menu structure is logical enough once you get used to it.
3. Price performance
With a tested price of $216,000, the top-of-the-line Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S was priced like a supercar—although on paper, at least, it might deserve such a title. And several lower trims are available, starting with the Taycan Cross Turismo priced at just under $100,000 before tax incentives. No matter how you cut it, the Taycan Cross Turismo doesn’t come cheap.
