Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo review

Tech and features

If you like high technology – and there’s a good chance you do if you’re considering a Taycan Cross Turismo – Porsche’s all-electric model has one of the most impressive interiors of any car.

Using a bespoke dashboard that integrates an instrument cluster screen (in place of dials) and a central infotainment screen that sits above another screen, where the heating controls are, the Taycan cabin feels cutting edge.

You can even get a display for the passenger, so they’re not left without something digital to stare at.

But rather than being overwhelming, it’s all impressively functional and easy to use, with haptic feedback (so pressing the touchscreen feels like a proper button) and smartphone-fast reactions making the systems a joy to use.

Driving position

You sit low in the Taycan no matter the model, but because the 4 Cross Turismo rides taller, your view of the road is more commanding.

That’ll be a bonus to those who struggle with the ground-hugging stance of traditional sports cars, and it makes steering the 4 Cross Turismo through town much easier.

This is a big car, mind, but that at least ensures the space in the cabin is generous up front, while the back seats are comfortable with decent leg- and headroom for adults. Oh, and it’s plush and beautifully finished.

Handling and ride comfort

Whether you opt for the entry-level 4 Cross Turismo, or higher-grade versions like the 4S, Turbo and Turbo S Cross Turismos, this Taycan remains decidedly quick on its feet.

Every variant gets all-wheel drive, so that means grip is brilliant in all weathers and the power of the twin-electric motor system (there’s one electric motor at the front and one at the back) can be used without much concern for slip.

Electric motors and power

With no less than 476hp on tap, the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo offers high levels of performance.

Like the other versions of the Taycan though, the 4 Cross Turismo is about much more than high speed thrills.

ure, the Turbo S version has a fairly ridiculous 761hp (that’s almost twice the power of the petrol-powered 911 Carrera sports car!) and can sprint from zero to 62mph in 2.9 seconds, but you don’t need to exercise that sort of performance to understand what the Taycan Cross Turismo’s about.

It feels like a compliant, comfortable sports car, which doesn’t trade on athleticism in achieving its greater ride comfort.

Like the other Taycans, the 4 Cross Turismo offers brilliant feedback through the steering wheel, so you always know exactly how the tyres are faring underneath, allowing you to enjoy the car’s tremendous turn of pace while brimming with confidence.

Thanks to the 4 Cross Turismo’s all-wheel drive and clever use of technology to control its power delivery, this electric machine is genuinely capable all year round. It’s fun and exciting no matter the weather.

This is where the 4 Cross Turismo scores most highly over its siblings.

Boot space

Thanks to the Taycan’s long wheelbase, the boot space in the estate body is plentiful, with significantly more room than a hatchback when the back seats are up, and a generous amount of space when the rear bench is folded down.

The Taycan’s sleek roofline doesn’t quite provide space as wide as, say, the Audi A4 Avant’s, but thanks to the car’s length, it is certainly versatile.

Especially given that this is a high-performance car and not just a functional one.

Adding to the 4 Cross Turismo’s practicality credentials is that raised ride height, which makes loading into the boot even easier – especially if you have cumbersome items to squeeze in, like a bicycle. Or flat-pack furniture.

Reliability

The Taycan scores well on reliability surveys, and there’s little to believe that the 4 Cross Turismo version will fare any differently from its road-biased estate and saloon siblings.

Porsche provides a manufacturer warranty that lasts for three years since the car was built, and the Taycan’s battery comes with its own eight-year warranty, with a guarantee that it won't drop below 70% of its original charge capacity during that time. So you’ve peace of mind.

It needn’t be overly costly to service, either, because the Taycan only needs servicing once every two years or every 20,000 miles.

If you opt for Porsche’s service plan, it works out at under £500 per year. That’s much cheaper than the equivalent petrol Panamera.

Range

Running costs will very much depend on where you charge the Taycan; if you have access to a home charging point, you'll get access to the lowest electricity rates.

Porsche claims a range of 320-380 miles per charge, so that’s pretty good going. Energy comes from a very large 97kWh battery, but besides up to 22kW AC charging at home and the supermarket, you can also use up to 320kW DC rapid charging.

Compared with almost every other EV on the market, even at this price point, these figures are very respectable.