The verdict: The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S isn’t a no-compromise vehicle, but it combines attributes of a sports car, electric car and utility vehicle in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Versus the competition: Driving the Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S feels more like a Porsche than an EV, but that comes at a price — to your wallet as well as in range and efficiency.
There are few cars electric or gasoline-powered that can do what the battery-powered Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S can do: combine acceleration, handling, luxury, light off-road abilities, efficiency and added cargo versatility. That checks a lot of boxes on a practical level, but the Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S also tingles the senses in a way few EVs do, combining the tuned-in, direct responses of a Porsche with the instant, stomach-dropping acceleration of up to 750 electron-moving horsepower and 774 pounds-feet of torque.
All of that, however, doesn’t mean it’s a no-compromise vehicle: Its EPA-rated 202-mile range is underwhelming, though I did observe encouraging efficiency and range predictions in moderate weather, suggesting it may boast more real-world range than its rating suggests. Then there’s the cargo area, which is more versatile than the Taycan sedan’s but still smaller than the cargo area of Porsche’s smallest SUV, the Macan. Plus, my test Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S’ as-tested price of $216,000 is legitimate supercar money — think Porsche 911 Turbo S or McLaren GT.
That said, the Taycan Cross Turismo is available at a more affordable price, starting at just under $100,000 (including destination and excluding any EV incentives). There are two versions of the utility-minded Taycan: the Cross Turismo and the Sport Turismo. The Sport Turismo is limited to the GTS trim level, which has a sportier appearance akin to the Taycan sedan, while the Cross Turismo, which has plastic wheel arches and other cladding, is available as the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo and, of course, the top-dog Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo reviewed here.
The car I drove was a 2021 Taycan Cross Turismo, but there are few changes to the 2022 model, limited to the inclusion of Android Auto and updated battery thermal management for faster DC fast charging. For 2023, Porsche says changes include an increased range and shorter charge time — but in an interesting twist, those updates can be added to older-model Taycans via a free dealer-installed software update.
The Turbo S Bits
The highest-performance Cross Turismo Turbo S oddly keeps the Taycan’s off-roadish fender accents and Gravel lift mode, which raises the suspension for more ground clearance. It’s a strange juxtaposition for a car with 750 hp on tap from its electric powertrain — consisting of an 800-volt battery system (versus the more common 400-volt architecture) and powerful electric motors at the front and rear. Note, however, that the full wallop of 750 hp comes only when using the car’s quick-start launch control feature; in normal operation, the Turbo S rolls with 616 hp. That’s unfortunate because it means the car’s top stated specs — 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds and 750 hp — come only when using a feature whose real-world application is extremely limited. We did the work, though, to see what the car’s acceleration looks like both with and without launch control.
Keyword: 2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S Review: The (Almost) Do-It-All EV