Taycan test drive was a snooze-fest, is this the future?
Discussion
Sure the alternatives offer something as well. Perhaps arguably the Taycan is the best but it depends on what you're looking for. If you want comfort over all else the e-tron SUV thing is very pleasant. Serene even. The I Pace is kind of Porsche-esque in its approach with a sporty approach to a cross-over and it's nicely appointed in a typical JLR way. I find the Polestar 2 a bit cramped inside so haven't driven one but I'm sure it's fine and it's certainly a looker. No harm in giving a few a go.
OPOGTS said:
Not that this is in anyway a comparison but I test drove a BMW i3 over the weekend and was also let down by the complete lack of driving enjoyment to be had. Shame really!
It is a different driving experience . The one pedal driving is fun . But it doesn’t claim to be anything special , just a good ev for around town . If you were expecting otherwise I can sort of understand
Your disappointment . My wife would like another one when the ETron goes back , that will be her 3rd
I also now get why Tesla is so strongly favoured by the financial markets (I always thought they would be toast once the big manufacturers got into the EV game). I think I was wrong. I now think they will win.
Because it is hard (impossible?) to make an EV properly engaging as a real world car it doesn't matter if you have decades of motorsport heritage, it doesn't matter how it drives because they will all be much of a muchness.
Cars will become just another white good, like a washing machine or a dishwasher. So you just need to know the stats, like how much range, how quick it charges, see if you like the look of it online. No surprise really that you can't walk into a Tesla or a Polestar dealer in most towns and go for a drive.
Quite depressing really.
Because it is hard (impossible?) to make an EV properly engaging as a real world car it doesn't matter if you have decades of motorsport heritage, it doesn't matter how it drives because they will all be much of a muchness.
Cars will become just another white good, like a washing machine or a dishwasher. So you just need to know the stats, like how much range, how quick it charges, see if you like the look of it online. No surprise really that you can't walk into a Tesla or a Polestar dealer in most towns and go for a drive.
Quite depressing really.
Tesla most definitely wants to make it about just numbers (range, 0-60, charge speed) and simplify the "offering" so it's easy to buy it online. They're very clever really. And of course every EV thread is about endless comparisons of these numbers so well done Tesla for setting the agenda in a way that suits them.
Anyways, I would go and drive as many options as you can and then make a decision. From my experience, there are substantial differences in how different EVs drive but they're not going to turn into screaming V12s all of a sudden or anything.
Anyways, I would go and drive as many options as you can and then make a decision. From my experience, there are substantial differences in how different EVs drive but they're not going to turn into screaming V12s all of a sudden or anything.
SCO said:
I also now get why Tesla is so strongly favoured by the financial markets (I always thought they would be toast once the big manufacturers got into the EV game). I think I was wrong. I now think they will win.
But the big manufacturers are only just starting to unload their EV options. They are at gen 1 and will get to gen 2 in a while.Most people don't need sub 4sec 0-60 times or 500+ mile range. Their current cars don't have it so why should their EV.
Andyoz said:
But the big manufacturers are only just starting to unload their EV options. They are at gen 1 and will get to gen 2 in a while.
Most people don't need sub 4sec 0-60 times or 500+ mile range. Their current cars don't have it so why should their EV.
I'd say the range is the main barrier to most people buying an EV. Even if they only drive 300+ miles once a year when they go on holiday, it's enough to put people off. Hence the popularity of hybrids - you have an EV for most of your journeys below 30 miles, and the ICE for those occasional long trips. Most people don't need sub 4sec 0-60 times or 500+ mile range. Their current cars don't have it so why should their EV.
SCO said:
I also now get why Tesla is so strongly favoured by the financial markets (I always thought they would be toast once the big manufacturers got into the EV game). I think I was wrong. I now think they will win.
Because it is hard (impossible?) to make an EV properly engaging as a real world car it doesn't matter if you have decades of motorsport heritage, it doesn't matter how it drives because they will all be much of a muchness.
Cars will become just another white good, like a washing machine or a dishwasher. So you just need to know the stats, like how much range, how quick it charges, see if you like the look of it online. No surprise really that you can't walk into a Tesla or a Polestar dealer in most towns and go for a drive.
Quite depressing really.
Some of them already are.Because it is hard (impossible?) to make an EV properly engaging as a real world car it doesn't matter if you have decades of motorsport heritage, it doesn't matter how it drives because they will all be much of a muchness.
Cars will become just another white good, like a washing machine or a dishwasher. So you just need to know the stats, like how much range, how quick it charges, see if you like the look of it online. No surprise really that you can't walk into a Tesla or a Polestar dealer in most towns and go for a drive.
Quite depressing really.
Have you seen the Volvo advert that says the XC60 is like your smartphone but bigger?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDok_QWwmRU
And yes it is depressing.
SCO said:
Sierra Mike said:
The only electric car I’ve driven is an i3 which I quite liked. My only expectation is that the Taycan is at least as good. By all accounts, I shouldn’t be disappointed.
I would say that hoping a near 100k car is as good as a city runabout that you “quite liked” is a pretty low bar for it to get over. I doubt you would have the same attitude to an ICE powered vehicle.One of the problems with this car is that the tax situation is distorting the buying decision. If there was no tax help it would be an easy “no way”, but with the tax break it is borderline for me.
The thing I can see happening is that EV’s are so dull to drive that we will all end up accepting self driving cars and then it is game over.
EVs are all about the tax incentives right now and the Taycan probably has the best driver dynamics of all. Since it’s not my only car, it’s an easy decision.
OPOGTS said:
Not that this is in anyway a comparison but I test drove a BMW i3 over the weekend and was also let down by the complete lack of driving enjoyment to be had. Shame really!
I love my i3 - perfect for small rural roads near me and great fun. In fact it's become my go to car for local stuff (I am lucky enough to have a Porsche and RS4 too). Reminds me of the old days in hot hatches and I have never had to use a public charger - I don't even have one at home (just use a 3 pin granny charger overnight twice a week).I will have ICE cars as long as allowed, not least for long journeys, but an EV is a great addition if you are lucky enough to have more than one car.
Edited by Discombobulate on Tuesday 11th May 06:34
It's interesting that the OP likes the Cayenne and not the Taycan. I could be way wide of the mark here, but I wonder how much is down to expectations. I've driven a number of Cayenne and Macan and I can find nothing nice to say about either. They are quick and they grip, but to me they do feel very much like that cliche about trying to break the laws of physics - they feel like clever engineering sort of just about making something that shouldn't work at all, work. Yet these are extremely popular cars and are reviewed in high regard. I often wonder if this is due to them being SUVs - these are what are popular and desirable these days and so I wonder if people are more forgiving to them because that's what they want. The Taycan perhaps has more expected of it?
I am certainly not going to argue that the Taycan is the last word in driver engagement - it absolutely is not. But as a large family car with some sporty character, I think it is rather good. It's heavy, yes, but the weight is in a much better place than the Cayenne and it feels much happier to be thrown around a good B road than a Cayenne.
But it's the OP who needs to live with the car, so if they don't like the Taycan, maybe time to look elsewhere. Unless more time with one might slowly bring them round.
I am certainly not going to argue that the Taycan is the last word in driver engagement - it absolutely is not. But as a large family car with some sporty character, I think it is rather good. It's heavy, yes, but the weight is in a much better place than the Cayenne and it feels much happier to be thrown around a good B road than a Cayenne.
But it's the OP who needs to live with the car, so if they don't like the Taycan, maybe time to look elsewhere. Unless more time with one might slowly bring them round.
Thanks for the replies, all interesting points of view.
On the Cayenne: I am comparing Cayenne to Taycan for a couple of reasons. First of all the Taycan would replace the Cayenne so there is an obvious personal comparison to make there. But more interestingly, the Cayenne exceeded expectations when I drove it. With a young family we needed a load carrier and I just didn't expect it to be so good. The Taycan just didn't exceed expectations for an EV. So I agree expectations are important, based on reviews I read, this was supposed to be the EV that you would want to drive. I think, deep down, Porsche know this isn't, why else would they offer a silly electric woosh sound?
On trying other EV's: We have now tried an I-pace. Equally dull apart from the brakes that were "exciting", but with the added problem of it being a £40K car pretending to be a £65K car. 1 hr test drive lasted 20 mins. Local Audi haven't got an e-tron to demonstrate so can't comment.
We are trying a 2WD Taycan coming on over-night test next.
My original post was only partly about the first world problem of which expensive EV to buy.
The tax position is manipulating us into products that we wouldn't otherwise buy. I would prefer to have an honest conversation and say you are not going to get a car that is as much fun but at least we are trying to save the planet.
A few years ago Clarkson drove an Aston Vantage V12 (I think it was) on old Top Gear, with helicopter shots of nice scenery etc. He told us to enjoy these cars while we could. Then Porsche made an EV and I thought he might be wrong.
Annoyingly he wasn't.
On the Cayenne: I am comparing Cayenne to Taycan for a couple of reasons. First of all the Taycan would replace the Cayenne so there is an obvious personal comparison to make there. But more interestingly, the Cayenne exceeded expectations when I drove it. With a young family we needed a load carrier and I just didn't expect it to be so good. The Taycan just didn't exceed expectations for an EV. So I agree expectations are important, based on reviews I read, this was supposed to be the EV that you would want to drive. I think, deep down, Porsche know this isn't, why else would they offer a silly electric woosh sound?
On trying other EV's: We have now tried an I-pace. Equally dull apart from the brakes that were "exciting", but with the added problem of it being a £40K car pretending to be a £65K car. 1 hr test drive lasted 20 mins. Local Audi haven't got an e-tron to demonstrate so can't comment.
We are trying a 2WD Taycan coming on over-night test next.
My original post was only partly about the first world problem of which expensive EV to buy.
The tax position is manipulating us into products that we wouldn't otherwise buy. I would prefer to have an honest conversation and say you are not going to get a car that is as much fun but at least we are trying to save the planet.
A few years ago Clarkson drove an Aston Vantage V12 (I think it was) on old Top Gear, with helicopter shots of nice scenery etc. He told us to enjoy these cars while we could. Then Porsche made an EV and I thought he might be wrong.
Annoyingly he wasn't.
I’d agree with the above, the Taycan is great as a daily but also shines when pushed. Many owners would agree. I’d say that it’s never going to be a 964 RS lightweight, but not many modern cars are. I suspect most owners have other cars for different tasks.
I’d consider a Cayenne as a general duties vehicle with a bit of comfort and road manners, but not in place of my Taycan.
I’d consider a Cayenne as a general duties vehicle with a bit of comfort and road manners, but not in place of my Taycan.
Interesting discussion. I have a Tesla M3 performance and a 911. We are selling the M3 shortly to make way for an incoming hybrid Cayenne. However, the recent release of the Taycan Cross Turisemo (XT) has made me stop and think about moving the Cayenne order over to a 4S XT order.
Why, well much as I love the Cayenne (great car), the future is electric and I think they are quite good fun as a daily driver. The M3 is a very good car (build quality aside) and while it can't match my 911 for enjoyment, (not much can to be fair), it's still a competent family car, drives well and is extremely reasonable to run.
I wonder just how long cars like the Cayenne have left when you compare them to the Taycan? I think there is a possibility it does everything better? I have driven a Taycan Turbo S and it is very good fun to drive. If that doesn't float your boat then honestly I think you might be doing it wrong, (maybe)?
Why, well much as I love the Cayenne (great car), the future is electric and I think they are quite good fun as a daily driver. The M3 is a very good car (build quality aside) and while it can't match my 911 for enjoyment, (not much can to be fair), it's still a competent family car, drives well and is extremely reasonable to run.
I wonder just how long cars like the Cayenne have left when you compare them to the Taycan? I think there is a possibility it does everything better? I have driven a Taycan Turbo S and it is very good fun to drive. If that doesn't float your boat then honestly I think you might be doing it wrong, (maybe)?
Grantstown said:
One of the gents on a recent Taycan meet said he preferred his Taycan to his DB11 V12. The Taycan may be heavier, but it’s less barge like than the fat Aston. (Clarkson was driving a V12 Vantage, which is a different beast entirely).
But the Taycan is a colossal fat b
d at 2.2 to 2.4 tons? From Evo:"No matter how much finesse and precision Porsche has been able to engineer into the Taycan, it just can’t escape the impact 2.3 tons of mass has in a sports car at your disposal, especially in top-tier Turbo S form. The rate of acceleration is so intense, so unrelenting, that you’re quickly headbutting speeds that would have a Lamborghini Huracán scratching its head – until you need to stop or steer."
SCO said:
I also now get why Tesla is so strongly favoured by the financial markets (I always thought they would be toast once the big manufacturers got into the EV game). I think I was wrong. I now think they will win.
Because it is hard (impossible?) to make an EV properly engaging as a real world car it doesn't matter if you have decades of motorsport heritage, it doesn't matter how it drives because they will all be much of a muchness.
Cars will become just another white good, like a washing machine or a dishwasher. So you just need to know the stats, like how much range, how quick it charges, see if you like the look of it online. No surprise really that you can't walk into a Tesla or a Polestar dealer in most towns and go for a drive.
Quite depressing really.
I think Tesla's success is down mostly to there charging network which is their USP and a very powerful one. They've made all the other manufacturers look daft and probably have a three year lead on them. Because it is hard (impossible?) to make an EV properly engaging as a real world car it doesn't matter if you have decades of motorsport heritage, it doesn't matter how it drives because they will all be much of a muchness.
Cars will become just another white good, like a washing machine or a dishwasher. So you just need to know the stats, like how much range, how quick it charges, see if you like the look of it online. No surprise really that you can't walk into a Tesla or a Polestar dealer in most towns and go for a drive.
Quite depressing really.
The trouble with a Taycan is that it's a £100k car that unless you have a very particular use case doesn't work as an only car.
For most people they need cars to occasionally do longer journey's and having experience of trying to charge a Taycan loan car that I had for three days the only chargers that are really fit for purpose are the Ionty one's and there just aren't enough of them.
How many people have bought a Taycan have it as there only car ? Not many I bet. And how many people have bought one who don't have the ability to claim that lovely tax relief ? Not many I bet.....
I would actually be amazed in anyone on PH owns one who doesn't have another car or hasn't claimed tax relief.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff