The all-electric Porsche Taycan has been a great success for the German marque early in its life, so it's no surprise that the model line has been expanded with the arrival of the wagon-style Taycan Cross Turismo. As with other Porsche models, this one is crowned by the high-performance Turbo variants called the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo and Turbo S Cross Turismo. Yes, there's no actual turbocharger, but 'Turbo' on the back of any Porsche model is an instant indication of dramatic performance.
With up to 750 horsepower, a price that will make your eyes water, and an available Off-Road Design Package that hints at the Cross Turismo's more adventurous persona, it's an intriguing addition to the Porsche portfolio. Let's dig into some of the details.
Sleek, Sporty Wagon Styling
Other than a similar face, the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo looks notably different from the Taycan Turbo in profile. The stretched roofline is lower, freeing up some additional headroom for rear-seat passengers. As standard, the potent wagon comes with four-point LED daytime running lights, LED-Matrix design headlights, and those familiar vertical air curtains in front. There are some sporty touches unique to the Cross Turismo like side skirts in black with Brilliant Silver inlays. Large 20-inch Aero Design alloy wheels are standard, while the Turbo S boasts 21-inch wheels.
An available Off-Road Design Package positions the Taycan Cross Turismo as a vehicle for more adventurous owners. It raises the ground clearance by 10 mm (just under 0.4 inches) and adds some sporty off-road cladding for the rear diffuser, side skirts, and the lower valance.
High-Tech, Familiar Interior
The links to the regular Taycan Turbo are more noticeable from behind the wheel. That beautiful 16.8-inch curved display ahead of the driver is just one of several available screens, including a 10.9-inch touchscreen display positioned on the dash. It's a thoroughly modern design and there are many top-notch materials, but as usual, the options list is vast. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, 14-way power front seats, and seating for four - although a smaller middle rear seat is available.
Where it does differ from the regular Taycan is in terms of space. The Taycan Cross Turismo offers more rear headroom, while the higher ride height improves ingress/egress. In the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo, there are 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, less than the 15.7 cubes found in the regular Taycan Cross Turismo.
The Quickest Wagon In Town
Both the Turbo and Turbo S are blisteringly quick. Using dual electric motors, the Turbo produces up to 670 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque with overboost and when launch control is enabled. This makes a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds attainable along with a top speed of 155 mph. A two-speed transmission on the rear axle and all-wheel drive are standard.
The Turbo S is even more rapid. It produces up to 750 hp in overboost - 616 hp without it - and 774 lb-ft, reducing the 0-60 time to only 2.7 seconds. This variant additionally comes with rear-axle steering, but both models have the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system. For such quick cars, it's almost amusing to see a Gravel driving mode, but it's there for looser terrain.
Range, Battery, And Charging
Both the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo and Turbo S Cross Turismo use a 93.4 kWh battery pack. EPA figures aren't available just yet so the range on a full charge remains to be seen, but Porsche has indicated that the regular Taycan Turbo has a range of 275 miles with the same battery according to an AMCI Independent Range Test. The cheaper and faster Tesla Model S Plaid Plus has an impressive 520-mile range.
Using 9.6 kW AC power, the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo can be charged from zero to 100 percent in 10.5 hours. With 50 kW DC charging, a five- to 80-percent charge will take 93 minutes, while maximum DC charging power will drop that time to just over 22 minutes. Three years of free charging with Electrify America are included.
Pricing And Competition
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo carries a steep MSRP of $153,500, and that's before delving into the extensive options list. It's $2,400 more expensive than the Taycan Turbo. For the Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, expect to pay $187,600. A destination fee of $1,350 applies but both are expected to qualify for a federal tax credit.
There are no direct competitors to the Taycan Cross Turismo, so it's unique as the only EV wagon on the market. However, one can't ignore the Tesla Model S Plaid+, which is more powerful, quicker, has a much longer range, and starts at $139,990. Another contender is the upcoming Lucid Air Dream Edition with 1,080 hp, a 503-mile range, and a starting price of $161,500. The Audi RS6 Avant is a fantastic wagon but is conventionally-powered and starts at a much lower $109,000.
However, none of these vehicles offer the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo's unique combination of a wagon body style, dramatic performance, and some mild off-road ability.