Porsche has expanded its Taycan lineup with something unlike anything else on the market right now. Introducing the 2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, an all-electric sport wagon whose main difference from its sedan sibling, other than the body style, is its increased ground height. Porsche already offers this wagon versatility with the Panamera Sport Turismo and so it makes complete sense to do the same for its flagship electric vehicle.
Aside from the exterior differences, the Taycan Cross Turismo has increased interior dimensions but is still the same vehicle underneath. However, the Cross Turismo has a bit of an off-road adventure attitude thanks to a few key new features. The big question going forward is whether or not buyers will respond in kind to what Porsche is offering here - a semi-off-road performance EV. In a class all of its own, if sales prove to be successful, then we'll be hailing the Taycan Cross Turismo as a pioneer for years to come.
Classic Sportwagon Styling, With A Twist
The Taycan Cross Turismo's unique roofline is longer and flatter compared to that of the sedan. To emphasize its off-road adventure capabilities, Porsche added a standard roof transport system that integrates nicely into the roof rails along with a rear-mounted bike rack, courtesy of Tequipment. The rest of the EV's body includes fender extensions, unique rocker panels, and a slightly reworked front and rear fascia. The ride height has been increased by 0.8 inches compared to that of the sedan, which Porsche says not only allows for easier ingress and egress but also the ability to drive over road objects without damaging the vehicle's underbody. Buyers can further opt for the Off Road Design Package to get more body cladding and a further ride increase of 0.39 inches.
A set of 19-inch aero design wheels are standard, but the Off-Road Design package ups these to 20s with a unique design. A further range of 20- and 21-inch design are also available.
What's Different Inside
The extended roofline's benefits continue for the vehicle's interior. Front and rear passengers an additional 0.35 inches and 3.62 inches of extra headroom, front and rear respectively. Cargo space is also increased with the Taycan 4 and 4S Cross Turismo seeing 15.3 cubic feet of storage compared to the sedan's 14.3. The front storage capacity of 2.9 cubes remains unchanged. However, the Cross Turismo's rear seats can fold forward, creating a large storage bay with 42.8 cubic feet of capacity.
Aside from the added passenger and cargo space, the rest of the vehicle's interior layout is identical to the sedan. Features such as the Porsche Connect software with wireless Apple CarPlay, Apple Music, Function on Demand, Charge capabilities, and over-the-air updates are standard, the latter with a three-year subscription.
Some optional features include the Porsche InnoDrive system with Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Keep, a Head-up display, 14-way seats, and Bose and Burmester audio systems.
Dual Motor Performance And Usable Range
Unlike the base Taycan sedan, all Taycan Cross Turismo variants have a dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain, although this may change at a later date. The standard Taycan Cross Turismo is available in 4 Cross Turismo and 4S Cross Turismo guises, both of which utilize a single-speed transmission up front, a two-speed transmission at the rear, and are equipped as standard with the 93.4 kWh Performance Battery.
The base-level 4 generates a standard 375 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, but when launch control is selected, power takes a temporary boost to 469 horses. This sees the 5,029-pound wagon tear from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and cross the 1/4-mile mark in 13.1 seconds. The 4S dials up outputs further to 482 hp and 479 lb-ft, while launch control sees power peak at 562 hp. 60 mph comes up in 3.9 seconds and the 1/4-mile is dealt with in 12.2 seconds.
Porsche's excellent Adaptive Suspension Management and air suspension are standard to aid both ride comfort and handling ability, while the air springs can raise the ride height for semi-off-road excursions. Further performance can be added with torque vectoring, rear-axle steering, carbon ceramic brakes, and the Sport Chrono Package. A unique Gravel driving mode is included for the Cross Turismo that increases ride height and tweaks the suspension, traction, and stability systems for ideal loose-surface performance.
EPA range figures are not yet available for the Taycan Cross Turismo, but we expect it to fall just short of the equivalent sedans' figures of 227 miles. Charging, meanwhile, is a rapid affair thanks to 800-volt architecture, allowing for 5-80% recharge in just 22.5 mins on a 270-kW charging network. Owners also receive three years of free charging with Electrify America.
Pricing And Rivals
The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo will carry a starting price tag of $90,900 in 4 Cross Turismo form, not including the $1,350 destination fee. The addition of the Performance Battery Plus, adaptive air suspension with PASM, and the fixed panoramic sunroof makes the Cross Turismo $1,530 more than a comparably-equipped Taycan sedan. The 4S Cross Turismo carries an asking price of $110,300 before destination, but adding options will surely see this surge as just the Off-Road Design package adds $1,780 while a Performance Package with rear-wheel steering, torque vectoring, and the Sport Chrono Package adds $6,430.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo will be in US dealerships this summer, but competition for the all-electric performance wagon segment does not exist yet. If we had to make the closest comparison it'd be the combustion engined-powered Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo and the Audi RS 6 Avant. Both deliver extreme performance in a luxurious package and it'll definitely be interesting to see whether customers will cross-shop between the three.