2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo First Look: An Ultra-Hot EV Sports Wagon
Despite the new Taycan Cross Turismo’s extra ride height, tough body cladding, mud guards, and generally off-road-ready looks, this isn’t some Dakar-ready Porsche EV. As cool as that would be, Porsche insists that the 2022 Taycan Cross Turismo is merely a more well-rounded version of the slinky Taycan sedan. The electric wagon also is better suited—even if only on paper, or in appearance—for those who live in temperamental climates or fancy themselves adventurous types. After all, the normal Taycan is available with all-wheel drive, meaning it could probably handle a snowy road just as well.
To that point, even though it may look different from (and some might say better than) the standard Taycan, Porsche says almost everything from the wagon’s beltline down (inside and out) is shared with the sedan. The only meaningful mechanical change comes in the form of newly standard air springs (which are optional on other Taycans). The calibration of the suspension and the rest of its physical components, however, is unchanged.
The aforementioned air springs are specific to the Cross Turismo and allow for more variation in ride height compared to the units available in the sedan. In its normal mode, the Taycan Cross Turismo rides an inch higher off the deck than its sedan counterpart, but can be raised to as much as three inches higher (to its maximum ride height) for clearing larger obstacles. That mode, however, isn’t to be used at speed.
All Cross Turismo models get a panoramic glass roof, roof rails, and Porsche’s larger-capacity “Performance Battery Plus” as standard. The basic appearance matches that of the Mission E Cross Turismo concept (in the video above). Other Cross Turismo-exclusive goodies such as a custom bike rack and a roof mounted cargo box will be optional extras. Sadly, there won’t be a power inverter on offer, so don’t expect to power any electric camping accessories with this off-road … erm, sorry, “all-rounder” Taycan.
How Off-Road Could You Go in a Taycan Cross Turismo?
If you wanted to tear down a dirt road in the Cross Turismo, there is a Gravel driving mode, where the Taycan’s stability control systems are backed off a bit and the computers try to equalize the speed of all four wheels, acting as a sort of virtual differential lock. Gravel mode also raises the suspension 0.39 inch higher than the normal modes do. Opt for the “off-road design pack,” however, and the Cross Turismo’s standard right height becomes that 0.39-inch-taller figure.
As if that weren’t enough adjustability, you can also slam the Cross Turismo into the pavement and bring it in line with the ride height of the standard Taycan. Interestingly, lowering the car is used for both the most restrained and the most aggressive modes. Both Range mode and Sport Plus will lower the Taycan for the sake of both better aerodynamics (and better handling if you’re looking to dice up a twisty bit of mountain road).
Instead of leading with the top-dog Turbo S trim (as it did with the Taycan sedan), Porsche is offering four different Taycan Cross Turismo variants right out of the gate. That means, yes, there is a Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S atop the lineup, along with a non-S Turbo, a 4S, and the basic 4. Unlike in the Taycan sedan, there is no strictly rear-wheel-drive option.
