The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo isn't the world's first electric estate, but it's certainly the most exciting. It combines all of the saloon's qualities and sprinkles some extra practicality you'd expect from a car with a longer roof. It sits 20 millimetres (0.8 inches) higher than the regular Taycan or a further 10 millimetres (0.4 inches) provided the Off Road Design Package is included.

The optional kit comes with even more plastic body cladding to mimic the SUV-like look also made possible by using beefier wings/fenders and model-specific rocker panels. The front and rear fascias have been updated, with the most obvious changes being at the back to swap out the boot lid for a more practical hatch and the essential rear wiper.

Porsche is adding a dedicated Gravel mode to the Taycan Cross Turismo, raising the suspension to its tallest settings and making changes to the stability control and torque management system for better grip on difficult roads. The folks from Zuffenhausen admit the estate has not been conceived as a "rock-crawling off-roader," but the new Gravel mode makes it more capable on rougher surfaces compared to the saloon.

Gallery: 2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

As expected, the electric estate comes exclusively with air suspension and an all-wheel-drive layout thanks to a pair of electric motors. Interestingly, the base trim level is the Taycan Cross Turismo 4, which can't be currently had with the saloon where the lineup jumps from the base rear-wheel-drive model to the 4S. Speaking of wheels, there are bespoke 20- and 21-inch alloys available to further separate it from the saloon.

In its entry-level configuration, Porsche's second estate after the Panamera Sport Turismo offers 375 bhp (280 kilowatts) or 469 bhp (350 kW) with launch control. The electric muscle is good for a 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in 4.8 seconds en route to a top speed of 136 mph (219 km/h), which isn't too shabby for a base trim level.

The hotter 4S comes as standard with the Performance Battery Plus (optional on the 4S saloon) and is followed by the Turbo and Turbo S, with all three offering the same level of power as the equivalent Taycan saloons. In its range-topping trim, the electric estate hits 60 mph in 2.7 seconds, making it only 0.1s slower than its saloon counterpart. Top speed drops by 6 mph to 155 mph (250 km/h). This level of performance is remarkable when you consider the Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S weighs a whopping 5,199 pounds (2,358 kilograms). 

Offered as standard with an expansive glass roof, the Taycan Cross Turismo benefits from an extra 0.35 inches of front headroom thanks to its flatter roofline. At the back, passengers have an additional 3.62 inches of headroom after turning the saloon into an estate. The body style transformation is also paying dividends in terms of cargo capacity, now at 445 litres (15.7 cubic feet) or 1,212 litres (42.8 cu ft) with the rear seats folded for the 4 and 4S models.  

Step up to either of the Turbo versions and practicality will take a hit, with the luggage volume dropping to 405 litres (14.3 cu ft), equalling the non-Turbo Taycan saloons. Regardless of body style and trim level, all of them share a front boot with a capacity of 82 litres (2.9 cu ft). Should you need to carry bulky items, an optional roof transport system is compatible with the roof rails that come as standard on the Cross Turismo. A rear-mounted bike rack can be ordered at an additional cost.

The 2021 Taycan Cross Turismo 4 is available from £70,690 RRP and you can add extra goodies like adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep, 14-way massaging seats, a head-up display, and Bose or Burmester sound systems.

The 2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo will arrive at dealers across the United Kingdom this summer.

  • 4 Cross Turismo £79,340.00 RRP
  • 4S Cross Turismo £87,820.00 RRP
  • Turbo Cross Turismo £116,950.00 RRP
  • Turbo S Cross Turismo £139,910.00 RRP