Porsche Taycan 2021 Review

As the electric supercar market becomes increasingly segmented, models that can meet both daily practicality and performance experience are gaining attention. The 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, as the brand's first electric station wagon model, focuses on its core selling points such as the practicality of a 5-seat layout, the stability of all-wheel drive, and an official range of nearly 500 kilometers. It perfectly fills the gap between pure electric supercars and family vehicles. In this test drive, we primarily evaluated its performance in city commuting, highway cruising, and light off-road situations to see if it can balance Porsche's sporty genes with the convenience of family use.

From the exterior, the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo continues the family-style design of the Taycan series, but the station wagon silhouette adds a touch of practicality. The quad-point LED daytime running lights at the front are highly recognizable, paired with an active air intake grille to reduce wind resistance while maintaining the brand's iconic sporty feel. The side profile features sleek lines, and the sloping design from the B-pillar to the rear avoids the bulkiness typical of traditional station wagons. The 1409mm height is 14mm taller than the standard Taycan, combined with 19-inch alloy wheels and black wheel arch cladding, giving it a subtle hint of off-road capability. The rear of the car features continuous LED tail lights that correspond with the liftable spoiler, which automatically deploys at speeds above 90km/h, enhancing aerodynamics and accentuating the sporty vibe. As for the lighting system, both front and rear light clusters utilize LED sources, offering excellent brightness and cohesion when illuminated at night, which matches the luxury brand's positioning.

Inside the car, the interior layout of the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo is minimalist yet emphasizes a strong sense of technology. The center console is equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen and an 8.4-inch climate control screen below. The screen resolution is high, the operation logic is clear, and it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Regarding materials, the seats are a combination of leather and Alcantara, and the center console is covered with soft-touch plastic materials, while metal trims in the details enhance the sense of luxury. In terms of core configuration, it comes standard with 14-way electrically adjustable seats, tri-zone automatic air conditioning, front seat heating, and the Porsche Communication Management system, making daily use highly convenient. It is worth noting that, compared to the standard Taycan's 4-seat design, the wagon's 5-seat layout is more practical. The middle seat in the second row is equipped with a headrest and seatbelt, ensuring short trips are not cramped.

In terms of spatial performance, the dimensions of the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo are 4974mm×1967mm×1409mm, with a wheelbase of 2904mm — 11mm longer and 1mm wider than the standard Taycan. When the front seats are adjusted to a suitable position, a 175cm tall passenger in the front row will have a headroom space of one fist and two fingers, with ample legroom. Rear passengers will have headroom of one fist and legroom of two fists, ensuring a comfortable ride even with five occupants. For storage, the trunk offers a standard capacity of 405L, which can expand to 1296L with the second row of seats folded down, enough to accommodate a stroller or camping gear. The front central armrest box and door panel storage compartments provide sufficient space for carrying items like phones and water bottles. In terms of comfort features, the rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and Type-C power outlets to meet passengers' charging needs.

In terms of power, the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo is equipped with dual motors on both the front and rear axles, producing a total maximum output of 380 PS and a peak torque of 500 N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 5.1 seconds. During actual driving, when switching to Sport mode, it delivers a quick response at startup, without the turbo lag of traditional fuel cars. Mid-range acceleration from 30-80km/h is powerful, and pressing the accelerator deeply when overtaking provides a noticeable push-back effect. In Economy mode, the power output is more gradual, making it suitable for urban commuting. The all-wheel drive system performs stably on slippery roads, and the torque distribution adjusts in real time according to road conditions, enhancing driving safety.

The handling and chassis performance align with Porsche's tuning style. The front suspension adopts a double-wishbone independent design, while the rear suspension features a multi-link structure. The suspension offers sufficient support, maintaining body roll within a reasonable range during cornering. The steering is precise with minimal play, giving drivers a high level of confidence. On bumpy urban roads, the suspension filters out most of the minor vibrations, and the impacts from speed bumps or potholes are not overly harsh, balancing sportiness with comfort. During high-speed cruising, the vehicle exhibits excellent stability, with no noticeable sway at speeds of 120km/h.

In terms of range and charging, it is equipped with a 93.4kWh battery pack, offering an official pure electric driving range of 513km. In real-world tests, during urban commutes at speeds of 30-60km/h, energy consumption is about 22kWh/100km, achieving around 85% of the range. On highways at speeds of 110-120km/h, energy consumption increases to 28kWh/100km, with a range achievement rate of about 70%. Overall, the performance meets expectations. In fast charging mode, it can charge from 10% to 80% in 5 hours, meeting the energy replenishment needs for long-distance travel.

Regarding driving comfort, the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo offers excellent noise control. Within speeds of 80km/h, motor noise is almost inaudible, and wind and tire noise are kept at relatively low levels even at high speeds. The energy recovery system provides three adjustable levels. At the highest level, releasing the accelerator gives a drag effect similar to engine braking in fuel cars, while at the lowest level, it feels more like coasting, catering to different driving habits. The seats are well-balanced in terms of both cushioning and support, ensuring fatigue-free long-distance driving.

Overall, the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo’s core advantage lies in its balance between practicality and performance. Compared to the standard Taycan, its 5-seater layout and larger trunk space make it more suitable for family use. Compared to other electric wagons in the same class, Porsche's handling tuning and brand premium add more attraction. In terms of pricing, the guide price of RM 645,209 is positioned between the Taycan RWD (RM 584,561) and Taycan 4S (RM 699,986). The enhanced practicality of its configuration makes it more cost-effective.

This car caters to two types of buyers: firstly, consumers who pursue the quality of a luxury brand while needing to balance family travel. Its 5-seater layout and ample storage space meet the needs for daily commutes and weekend getaways. Secondly, users who enjoy an electric driving experience but do not want to compromise on driving pleasure will appreciate the all-wheel drive and Porsche’s chassis tuning, which retain the sporty DNA.

Overall, the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo is not a purely performance-focused supercar but rather an "all-around" electric touring car—it combines Porsche's driving pleasure with practical needs for family use. It is a great choice in the electric era that balances passion and everyday life.