Car and Driver prototype drive of Porsche Cayenne EV

[Elfin]

This is the real Gravity competition.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a65810736/2026-porsche-cayenne-electric-prototype-drive/

Only a 106kWh battery but has 400kW charging with 10-80% in 16 minutes.
The shots of it off-roading are hilarious, zero articulation.

 

[DeaneG]

...The shots of it off-roading are hilarious, zero articulation.

I heard that Porsche was still working on off-road mode software. I'm presuming this could loosen up the hydraulic suspension. But Porsche isn't known for rapid software development.
The range figure estimated by the author was a little disappointing and also rather expected.
If you don't need three rows or a ton of cargo room, the Cayenne EV's shorter length is a plus over Gravity.
Cayenne EV has native Google maps, a mature entry key system, and should have excellent build quality.

 

[prgarg]

Thanks for sharing the article. This is one I've been waiting for and I agree it's the most comparable to the Gravity, even though it'll likely be priced much higher. I liked the looks of the Macan, but it's too small inside, range is low and I didn't like the absence of one pedal driving.

 

[Elfin]

I heard that Porsche was still working on off-road mode software. I'm presuming this could loosen up the hydraulic suspension. But Porsche isn't known for rapid software development.
The range figure estimated by the author was a little disappointing and also rather expected.
If you don't need three rows or a ton of cargo room, the Cayenne EV's shorter length is a plus over Gravity.
Cayenne EV has native Google maps, a mature entry key system, and should have excellent build quality.

It's actually only 2 inches shorter. I'm sure the Gravity has way more interior volume though.
The range will definitely be shorter but the charge speed will make it competitive (like how the Taycan is a faster road tripper than the Air.)

 

[DeaneG]

It's actually only 2 inches shorter. I'm sure the Gravity has way more interior volume though.
The range will definitely be shorter but the charge speed will make it competitive (like how the Taycan is a faster road tripper than the Air.)

Ah, you're right, the Cayenne EV is expected to be a couple inches longer than the gas version.

Interesting how Porsche threw a glove in Lucid's general direction by etching their wind tunnel's GPS coordinates into some of the car's aero engineering, calling out their capability as a company and design approach.

 

[Elfin]

Ah, you're right, the Cayenne EV is expected to be a couple inches longer than the gas version.

Interesting how Porsche threw a glove in Lucid's general direction by etching their wind tunnel's GPS coordinates into some of the car's aero engineering, calling out their capability as a company and design approach.

"Porsche claims that with the blades extended, the Cayenne EV improves its coefficient of drag by 0.06, which translates to about six or seven miles of range."
Wouldn't .06 improvement be way more than 6-7 miles of range?
I remember a video where Rawlinson mentioned that extending the rear spoiler another foot (or some other absurd amount) would have improved the Gravity Cd by .01.

 

[TahoeMichael]

Ah, you're right, the Cayenne EV is expected to be a couple inches longer than the gas version.

Interesting how Porsche threw a glove in Lucid's general direction by etching their wind tunnel's GPS coordinates into some of the car's aero engineering, calling out their capability as a company and design approach.

I guarantee Porsche and Lucid's teams are keeping a close eye on each other.

 

[TahoeMichael]

It's actually only 2 inches shorter. I'm sure the Gravity has way more interior volume though.
The range will definitely be shorter but the charge speed will make it competitive (like how the Taycan is a faster road tripper than the Air.)

Yeah, you can see in the photos that the Porsche maintains the traditional long hood, so it's clear they wont be able to match Gravity's interior volume.

 

[msaunders9430]

Based on the limited viewing angles of the front end, it looks basically like the ICE version. Nothing distinctive. Love the distinction of my GGT.

The Gravity definitely has a distinctive look. Love that.

No mention of a frunk.

It will sell at a higher cost than the Gravity which might hush the critics of the Gravity's price and send some customers Lucid's way for another peek.

 

[Miami_Lucid_Man]

I have no doubt it will be an amazing car and most importantly an amazing driving car.

 

[illopp00]

I heard that Porsche was still working on off-road mode software. I'm presuming this could loosen up the hydraulic suspension. But Porsche isn't known for rapid software development.
The range figure estimated by the author was a little disappointing and also rather expected.
If you don't need three rows or a ton of cargo room, the Cayenne EV's shorter length is a plus over Gravity.
Cayenne EV has native Google maps, a mature entry key system, and should have excellent build quality.

I bet it starts at $160K base plus its tariffed.

 

[TahoeMichael]

...

It will sell at a higher cost than the Gravity which might hush the critics of the Gravity's price and send some customers Lucid's way for another peek.

I've seen people complain about the price of an Air or Gravity. There's no doubt they're expensive vehicles, and thus not for everyone. But what you get for the price? Thats a different story. Nothing else seems to meet my needs as well, and the vehicles that even come close are often more expensive.

 

[Steveinarizona]

Thanks for sharing the article. This is one I've been waiting for and I agree it's the most comparable to the Gravity, even though it'll likely be priced much higher. I liked the looks of the Macan, but it's too small inside, range is low and I didn't like the absence of one pedal driving.

Porsche doesn't need one pedal driving. Porsches and many other EVs (e.g., BMW and Genesis) use a blended braking system. Under a blended braking system the initial depression of the brake pedal invokes regeneration. Only a hard pressure or a very fast pressure invokes the friction brake. Teslas and others (e.g., Lucids and Rivians) don't have blended braking systems. Stepping on the brake pedal immediately invokes the friction brake so Tesla initiated the one pedal system to gain the benefits of regeneration.

Drivers coming from a Tesla tend to want to be able to do one pedal driving. If they migrate to a vehicle with blended braking, they will have to see if they can get acclimated to it or just limit their purchases/leases to the models without blended braking.

 

[msaunders9430]

Porsche doesn't need one pedal driving. Porsches and many other EVs (e.g., BMW and Genesis) use a blended braking system. Under a blended braking system the initial depression of the brake pedal invokes regeneration. Only a hard pressure or a very fast pressure invokes the friction brake. Teslas and others (e.g., Lucids and Rivians) don't have blended braking systems. Stepping on the brake pedal immediately invokes the friction brake so Tesla initiated the one pedal system to gain the benefits of regeneration.

Drivers coming from a Tesla tend to want to be able to do one pedal driving. If they migrate to a vehicle with blended braking, they will have to see if they can get acclimated to it or just limit their purchases/leases to the models without blended braking.

Not to get off topic (famous last words), but as an EV newbie (2.5 weeks in) I absolutely love one pedal driving. Tried standard regen on my Gravity along with creep mode and roll. Nope. I've used the brake pedal twice. I love the challenge of making the drive as smooth as two pedal driving; minimal brake light activation until necessary.

The only challenge is when I drive one of my ICE cars. A quick mental adjustment and I'm good.

 

[prgarg]

Porsche doesn't need one pedal driving. Porsches and many other EVs (e.g., BMW and Genesis) use a blended braking system. Under a blended braking system the initial depression of the brake pedal invokes regeneration. Only a hard pressure or a very fast pressure invokes the friction brake. Teslas and others (e.g., Lucids and Rivians) don't have blended braking systems. Stepping on the brake pedal immediately invokes the friction brake so Tesla initiated the one pedal system to gain the benefits of regeneration.

Drivers coming from a Tesla tend to want to be able to do one pedal driving. If they migrate to a vehicle with blended braking, they will have to see if they can get acclimated to it or just limit their purchases/leases to the models without blended braking.

Didn't know that, thanks for explaining it! Yes, I had a hard time adjusting coming from many years of Tesla driving

 

[Elfin]

I love one pedal driving. I feel like it makes it possible to drive with maximum smoothness. I've never driven a Porsche but usually the brake pedal on a blended system doesn't feel as good as pure hydraulics.
I still use creep though because I think it's safer to have my foot on the brake when maneuvering in tight quarters.

 

[iThinkEV]

Blended braking have it's benefits, especially once you get used to your car's stopping power. it allows better modulation, and very consistent braking, especially if you're doing some enthusiastic driving. I find myself taking corners, release accelerator (but don't want it to regen) and cruise a bit around a bend, then punch it coming out of the turn. Also (to me) seems more efficient when cruising downhill (coming down the Sierras, or the Grapevine), creates a lot more efficiency. I really hated it when going from Tesla to the Taycan in the beginning. Then I got use to it, and see its benefits. Def not for everybody. I do enjoy one-pedal driving when just doing daily commute.

-iThinkEV-