Reviewing the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

Our Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo review

The Porsche brand can be credited for doing quite a wondrous thing for electric vehicles - they legitimised them as genuine luxury and performance vehicles. Before the mass adoption of 2020, many of the early-innovation EVs were centred around practicality, affordability and even novelty.

That isn’t to say that the first electric vehicles were bad; they were actually amazing concepts which have done so much for the move towards an all-electric transport system. But some of the earlier models were frugal and obscure compared to some of the combustion models which UK leasing customers were enjoying so heartily.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 500KW Turbo 93kWh 5dr Auto Electric Car Lease Best Deals

And in 2019, much changed when the Taycan was officially launched at European motor shows, with 2020 seeing the saloon version being delivered throughout the world (some 20,000 units in the first year). The naysayers and doubters to the fun and sporty experience an EV can offer were quickly placated with the Taycan; in particular the Turbo S saloon was soon recognised as one of the quickest and most exciting cars on the planet.

But the German motor engineers did not stop with the saloon, quickly launching a shooting brake / estate model to accommodate those electric car drivers with more practical considerations - families, pets and luggage. And while this isn’t part of this review, the team then went on to release a Sport Turismo shortly after the Cross Turismo, which shares a similar profile but without the crossover styling elements.

So does the Cross Turismo “embrace your lifestyle, with an enlarged rear luggage compartment and even more spacious interior.”

Without a doubt, the additional boot space and configuration adds a truly practical aspect to what is an incredibly well-engineered product. For those of you fortunate to own, lease or even test-drive the Taycan it is fair to say you will be impressed with the drive, performance and comfort these models offer.

There is an obviously hefty price tag for a Porsche (not unlike its combustion alternative) so the e-car lease team do appreciate that this is reserved for a smaller section of the EV community. Where Porsche has benefitted is with the company car tax changes, which have effectively enabled business owners, fleet managers and company car drivers to enjoy some incredibly competitive company car tax measures.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 500KW Turbo 93kWh 5dr Auto Electric Car Lease Best Offers

As you will see below in our “living with your …” overview, a UK 40% tax payer will only be exposed to £80 per month in tax for a Turbo S! Should you have been enjoying a combustion Porsche option as a company car, you could effectively add at least £1000 a month in personal tax to this! For a company leasing a 0 g/km vehicle (zero-emissions), they can claim back 100% of the finance and maintenance rentals against corporation tax, making this an incredibly tax efficient financial product for them too.

Company cars and salary sacrifice arrangements are responsible for promoting luxury EVs without a doubt. And while many businesses will be respecting their cash-flow, for any financially robust companies they can purchase an electric Porsche and claim back 100% of the cost against corporation tax in contrast to the write-down allowances permitted for a combustion option. Again, these are key reasons why so many luxury EVs are seen across UK fleets.

So what options of Taycan Cross Turismo are there?

Where you cannot critique Porsche is with their ardent choice on the Cross Turismo which includes:

Taycan 4 (from £84,500)

Battery Capability - the entry model option utilises a 83.7 kWh lithium-ion battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 5.1 seconds, 137 mph top speeds and 350 kW (or 469 hp). This model is an AWD. Expect a combined winter range of 225 miles (190 miles on a motorway and 260 miles in urban conditions) with warmer weather allowing for 300 miles (245 miles on a motorway and 375 miles in urban conditions.)

On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 9 hour 0 – 100% charging times with the 268 kW DC maximum allowing an incredible 17 minute 10 – 80% time (note: that Taycan models use the 800-volt architecture which allows for a considerable fast charge capability. On each Porsche EV you have to upgrade for the 22 kW AC on-board charger or the 150 kW DC charging ability and beyond). This sports wagon has a cargo volume of 446L and a vehicle fuel equivalent of 128 mpg.

On specification the key features include Porsche Stability Management, Intelligent Range Manager, 4D chassis control, 19” alloys, power tailgate, thermally insulated glass all around, LED headlights, LED interior lights, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, advanced climate control, parking pre-climatisation, heat pump, 16” Curved Display, partial leather interior, multi-function sports steering wheel, heated front seats, cruise control, keyless start, rear view camera, collision and brake assist, Porsche Communication Management, wireless phone charging, Sound Plus Package, 11kW AC on-board charger and a 50 kW DC charger (you need to upgrade your charging faculties with Porsche!).

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 500KW Turbo 93kWh 5dr Auto Electric Car Lease Information

Taycan 4 S (from £91,000)

Battery Capability - the entry model option utilises a 83.7 kWh lithium-ion battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 4.1 seconds, 149 mph top speeds and 420 kW (or 563 hp). This model is an AWD. Expect a combined winter range of 225 miles (190 miles on a motorway and 260 miles in urban conditions) with warmer weather allowing for 300 miles (245 miles on a motorway and 375 miles in urban conditions.)

On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 9 hour 0 – 100% charging times with the 268 kW DC maximum allowing an incredible 17 minute 10 – 80% time (note: that Taycan models use the 800-volt architecture which allows for a considerable fast charge capability. On each Porsche EV you have to upgrade for the 22 kW AC on-board charger or the 150 kW DC charging ability). This sports wagon has a cargo volume of 446L and a vehicle fuel equivalent of 128 mpg;

On specification the key features are almost identical to the standard option. The difference is the battery configuration.

Taycan 4 Turbo (from £120,900)

Battery Capability - the entry model option utilises a 83.7 kWh lithium-ion battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 3.3 seconds, 155 mph top speeds and 500 kW (or 671 hp). This model is an AWD. Expect a combined winter range of 210 miles (180 miles on a motorway and 245 miles in urban conditions) with warmer weather allowing for 280 miles (230 miles on a motorway and 350 miles in urban conditions.)

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 500KW Turbo 93kWh 5dr Auto Electric Car Lease Luxury

On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 9 hour 0 – 100% charging times with the 268 kW DC maximum allowing an incredible 17 minute 10 – 80% time (note: that Taycan models use the 800-volt architecture which allows for a considerable fast charge capability. On each Porsche EV you have to upgrade for the 22 kW AC on-board charger or the 150 kW DC charging ability etc etc). This sports wagon has a cargo volume of 405L and a vehicle fuel equivalent of 121 mpg;

On specification the key features on the Turbo includes 6-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the front, 4-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the back, Porsche Surface Coated Brakes, 20” alloys, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, Sport Chrono Package, comfort front seats (14-way electric), heated rear seats, Turbo logo and BOSE Surround Sound System.

Taycan 4 Turbo S (from £143,400)

Battery Capability - the entry model option utilises a 83.7 kWh lithium-ion battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 2.9 seconds, 155 mph top speeds and 560 kW (or 751 hp). This model is an AWD. Expect a combined winter range of 205 miles (170 miles on a motorway and 235 miles in urban conditions) with warmer weather allowing for 270 miles (220 miles on a motorway and 335 miles in urban conditions.)

On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 9 hour 0 – 100% charging times with the 268 kW DC maximum allowing an incredible 17 minute 10 – 80% time (note: that Taycan models use the 800-volt architecture which allows for a considerable fast charge capability. On each Porsche EV you have to upgrade for the 22 kW AC on-board charger or the 150 kW DC charging ability etc etc). This sports wagon has a cargo volume of 405L and a vehicle fuel equivalent of 116 mpg;

On specification the key features on the Turbo S includes 6-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the front, 4-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the back, adaptive air suspension, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), 20” alloys, Matrix LED lights, Adaptive Sports seats (18-way electric) and the Turbo S logo.

In terms of colours choose between the standard options (white or black), plus a range of metallic paints which include Jet Black, Carrara White, Genetian Blue, Volcano grey, Frozen Blue, Mamba Green and Mahogany. Or enjoy the Special Colours which includes Carmine Red, Neptune Blue, Crayon and Ice grey. On additional factory options, Porsche literally offer more than any other manufacturer, as their online configurator will clearly demonstrate.

From a selection of 19, 20, 21” alloys, a suite of leather / leather-free and Club leather interiors, privacy glass, panoramic roof with variable lights, passenger display, Burmester surround sound, heated steering wheel, seat ventilation and adaptive cruise control. The choice is almost endless.

And what do other media and publications says about the Cross Turismo?

With WhatCar? At 5/5, Auto Express at 4.5/5, Top Gear 9/10 and Car Buyer at 4.4/5, there really isn’t much you can criticise Porsche for. Pros - are the increased space and practicality (compared to the saloon), sublime interior quality, incredible charging speeds and performance.

Cons - the price for a vehicle with additional specification (Porsche do upsell their spec quite heavily), the measured range compared to Mercedes, BMW, Polestar and Tesla products. While the Taycan has enjoyed a degree of a monopoly, there are a plethora of exciting alternatives including the Mercedes EQS, Lotus Eletre, Rolls-Royce Spectre and the Audi e-Tron GT which are now offering some amazing features.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 500KW Turbo 93kWh 5dr Auto [5 Seat] (Pure Electric Vehicle)

In terms of the car shown, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 500KW Turbo 93kWh 5dr Auto [5 Seat] (Pure Electric Vehicle), this is based on the following configuration:

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 500KW Turbo 93kWh 5dr Auto Electric Car Lease