Whether we like it or not, fast forward a decade or so and it is likely that electric cars will be the norm. What does that mean for the car enthusiast? Will we all be driving around in anonymous battery-powered boxes, devoid of any character? Well, not if Porsche has anything to do with it!

What is it?

The Porsche Taycan was first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019 and was the company’s first fully electric car. The Cross Turismo version launched some two years later and, in my opinion, not only looks better but also adds some genuine practicality to the car.

A Taycan can be on your driveway for as little as £88,200, but my test car, sporting some desirable extras, weighs in at a smidgen over £125,000.

The car is unmistakably a Porsche, with a bloodline clearly derived from the iconic 911. I guess you would classify it as a sporting estate car. Resplendent in ‘Provence’, a polarising hue, the car attracted a huge amount of attention on my meanderings through the Dales and far beyond.

The drive

The headline figures are quite astonishing. Deploy launch control, something an owner will probably only do once, and my test Taycan will catapult you from 0-62mph in just 3.6 seconds. Bearing in mind the car is no lightweight, that is some power.

Driven in ‘Sport’ mode, the car is so quick that it takes a while for your brain to compute what is happening. A little wind noise is the only indication of increased speed, that and the speedometer rapidly heading into licence-losing territory.

Straight line speed is all very well, but Porsche makes some of the very best handling cars for sale today. The Taycan does not disappoint. Pin-sharp steering and a lack of body roll help guide the car through the bends at breakneck speeds, and with a motor driving each axle, traction is plentiful whatever the weather.

My test car came with both the Porsche Active Ride System (£6,476) and Rear Steer (£1,592) and both are highly recommended. The latter is great for low-speed manoeuvring of what is quite a big car.

All that high-speed cornering prowess does not come at the expense of ride quality either. Even with the optional 21-inch wheels fitted (£3,573), the car’s ride is exemplary. A tad firm, never uncomfortable, allowing the Taycan to take on the role of grand tourer rather well.

And that it did; with a launch to attend in Farnborough, I travelled almost 600 miles in two days, much of it at motorway speeds. Porsche quotes a WLTP range of 358 miles. These figures are always optimistic, so I would say a real-world range of 280 miles is nearer the mark, especially in winter weather.

Public charging, whilst not cheap at anything up to 90p per kW, is at least quick, the Taycan drawing an impressive 251 kW from a brand new Gridserve charger at Knutsford Services. I barely had time to answer the call of nature and buy a coffee before the car was ready to resume its travels. 10 to 80% can be accomplished in as little as 18 minutes, says Porsche.

Home charging is, of course, much cheaper, my Rolec unit providing affordable power for the rest of the loan. An overnight charge may not be enough to fully top up the large battery if you return home on almost empty.

On the inside

I found getting into the Taycan a little challenging. With the seat set for my long legs, I had to manoeuvre myself around the B-pillar and the gap between it and the steering wheel. Once ensconced, however, the driving position is first-rate. The seats are extremely comfortable, with support in all the right places, which is imperative for a car likely to be driven in a spirited manner, at least some of the time.

Adults will find space in the rear, but head and legroom will be tight for the very tallest passengers. The tailgate lifts to reveal a surprisingly commodious luggage compartment (446 litres) and there’s a frunk too with space for another 84 litres of chattels. Ideal for the charging cables.

Equipment count is high, but there is huge scope to personalise the Taycan to your exact specification. Over £25,000 worth of options adorned the test car, and if I were lucky enough to be ordering, I would most likely tick all the boxes and more besides.

Verdict

As a car to get from A to B in haste, the Taycan Cross Turismo is incredibly impressive. It is doubtful that many cars on sale today could keep up, such is the power on offer. It drives and handles as a Porsche should, yet when driven in a more sedate manner, the refinement and comfort on offer will impress.

The real-world range has improved immeasurably since I last tested a Taycan, and with super-quick charging capability, long-distance travel is easily accomplished.

Existing 911 owners will not be disappointed if family commitments mean something more practical is required, with the Taycan offering genuine thrills behind the wheel. I suspect some may just add a Taycan to their collection, and I would applaud that move.
Downsides – well, the Taycan is not cheap, but all owners will most certainly be cheerful!

Fast Facts
Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo
Price £99,200 (£125,797 as tested)
Maximum power 598hp
Maximum torque 710Nm
Electric consumption 3.36 miles/kWh
WLTP range 358 miles
0-62mph in 3.6 seconds
50 – 75mph in 2.1 seconds
Top speed 149mph
Battery warranty 8 years