Car and Driver prototype drive of Porsche Cayenne EV

[Ron_Burgundy]

Their turbo model only has that 1k+ HP number in launch mode. It otherwise has power in line with the GGT, which means it's about $70k more for similar spec

Typical Porsche pricing. Absurd.

I would never buy a Porsche new. That said, zero interest in this one unless it’s got equal or greater cargo and 3rd row.

It’s a good example of folks who just want that brand’s EV and can afford it and/or want some type of bragging rights versus legitimately shopping around and comparing objectively.

 

[DeaneG]

Agreed on charging front, but what does it have, technically, on the suspension front outside of the assumption that the tuning is probably dialed in a little better because it's a Porsche?

PASM is widely regarded as providing great control with superior ride quality. A couple of reviewers mentioned it in comparison to Gravity, which can slap a little on expansion joints etc with low profile tires.

 

[DeaneG]

It’s a good example of folks who just want that brand’s EV and can afford it and/or want some type of bragging rights versus legitimately shopping around and comparing objectively.

Native Google maps is very important to me. Unavailable in Gravity. The future EX60 and R2 are the only alternatives in the near future.

 

[The_Don]

PASM is widely regarded as providing great control with superior ride quality. A couple of reviewers mentioned it in comparison to Gravity, which can slap a little on expansion joints etc with low profile tires.

Think we're on the same page here. Seems like reviewers thought it was a little better than the Gravity. IMO, that difference on the margins is definitely not enough to justify the price difference, unlike the jump from Model X to GGT.

 

[RajD]

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.

Actually it has a decent sized frunk. Very deep. Out of Spec review shows it nicely.

 

[Bdr100]

Think we're on the same page here. Seems like reviewers thought it was a little better than the Gravity. IMO, that difference on the margins is definitely not enough to justify the price difference, unlike the jump from Model X to GGT.

The price difference is justified because it is a Porsche. It will have great fit and finish. Key fobs, PAAK, CarPlay, software, etc. will all work from the get go. Unlike Lucid that has rushed Gravity to market due to Wall Street, Porsche has had many years to work on this, fine tune it, sort out the software, etc. If it had a third row with a little more storage room and the Turbo was about 50,000 less, I would jump on it. But for now, the Gravity is a better deal for money if you have the patience to put up with its teething pains.

 

[msaunders9430]

Finally watched the OOS Cayenne review.

The Gravity has been knocked by reviewers for not being a good "value".

I configured a Cayenne that would closely match my GGT; $184k before taxes & fees vs. $122k for my GGT. For $62k more I: 1) lose a third row, 2) get a smaller frunk, 3) get an awkward passenger dash space because I don't want a passenger display, 4) get a crowded looking front display that I'd probably have to peek through the steering wheel to see, and 5) get a 1772 charging port on the passenger side that I'd need an adapter to use with my NACS charger. The one positive I'd gain is Android Auto, which I should be getting on my GGT by end of winter.

Kyle sounded in love with the car. When Lucid gets the sw bugs exterminated, hopefully he'll be back in front of Lucid hq doing another review. That might not be until this time next year.

BTW, the Cayenne was one of potential plan B buys along with the Genesis GV90.

I'm good with my GGT.
A distinctive looking ev vs. one that looks basically like its ICE brother, but with a mask over its mouth.

 

[socktucker]

The cost for any version of this that you’d want makes it almost 150% the cost of a GGT though. It will depreciate just as bad, maybe perform a little better but it’s hard to justify the cost.

 

[DeaneG]

Finally watched the OOS Cayenne review.

The Gravity has been knocked by reviewers for not being a good "value".

I configured a Cayenne that would closely match my GGT; $184k before taxes & fees vs. $122k for my GGT. For $62k more I: 1) lose a third row, 2) get a smaller frunk, 3) get an awkward passenger dash space because I don't want a passenger display, 4) get a crowded looking front display that I'd probably have to peek through the steering wheel to see, and 5) get a 1772 charging port on the passenger side that I'd need an adapter to use with my NACS charger. The one positive I'd gain is Android Auto, which I should be getting on my GGT by end of winter....

Agree in general, except for one point: the Cayenne EV uses native Google maps and has access to an app store (Youtube music, etc), so that you'd have no need for Android Auto, or to mess with your phone.

I do hope you get Android Auto on the Gravity this winter. I will not place an order for one unless AA actually materializes, because of the 2+ year wait I had for it on my Air.

 

[msaunders9430]

Forgot to add: the all season tires I'd need only come with 21" wheels.

 

[msaunders9430]

The cost for any version of this that you’d want makes it almost 150% the cost of a GGT though. It will depreciate just as bad, maybe perform a little better but it’s hard to justify the cost.

And that cost sneaks up on you with the selection of every add-on.

People who complain about how some of the Lucid features should be standard, should go configure a Porsche.

 

[Pragmatic]

Buying used next year is the way to buy this (or any electric vehicle).

 

[msaunders9430]

Agree in general, except for one point: the Cayenne EV uses native Google maps and has access to an app store (Youtube music, etc), so that you'd have no need for Android Auto, or to mess with your phone.

I do hope you get Android Auto on the Gravity this winter. I will not place an order for one unless AA actually materializes, because of the 2+ year wait I had for it on my Air.

Good point.
Thanks for the reminder of the distinction.

I think I'll be good with AA.
I'm not a big road tripper (that's gradually changing with my GGT), so even now the native app is meeting my needs.

 

[babylou66]

Final nail in the coffin for me with my Rivian was no Android Auto or Automotive. My wife and I now have two vehicles with Android Auto and native Android Automotive. They are the same except the native has a connection to vehicle state of charge so is better for road trip rout planning.

 

[DeaneG]

Final nail in the coffin for me with my Rivian was no Android Auto or Automotive. My wife and I now have two vehicles with Android Auto and native Android Automotive. They are the same except the native has a connection to vehicle state of charge so is better for road trip rout planning.

This is why I am heavily weighing native Google Maps as a factor in my next car purchase. I've often had trouble with Lucid's HERE navigation, sometimes when I really needed it to work, and it has cost me.

Cars that use native AAOS with GAS (app store and voice assistant) are so much better to use compared to cars that use prebaked user interfaces (especially buggy ones) and European map software vendors.

 

[babylou66]

This is why I am heavily weighing native Google Maps as a factor in my next car purchase. I've often had trouble with Lucid's HERE navigation, sometimes when I really needed it to work, and it has cost me.

Cars that use native AAOS with GAS (app store and voice assistant) are so much better to use compared to cars that use prebaked user interfaces (especially buggy ones) and European map software vendors.

Don't get fooled by Rivian's new integration of Google Maps. It is horrific. It is not AA or AAOS. No hands free control of nav or messaging.

 

[DeaneG]

Don't get fooled by Rivian's new integration of Google Maps. It is horrific. It is not AA or AAOS. No hands free control of nav or messaging.

Thanks for the heads-up. I had the R2 in my short list, will have to reconsider / watch out for that. I'd heard that Rivian uses Google Places (POI database), but not Google Maps or Voice Assistant.

The Cayenne EV appears to use native Google maps, but Porsche's own LLM voice assistant.
I'd rather use Google's LLM voice assistant so that we have the same assistant in our car as in our home.

Volvo's midsized EX60 is currently top of the list for us. Details to be announced Jan 21. It's said to be Volvo's fastest-charging and longest-range EV.

 

[Knucklehead]

Don't get fooled by Rivian's new integration of Google Maps. It is horrific. It is not AA or AAOS. No hands free control of nav or messaging.

Thanks for the heads-up. I had the R2 in my short list, will have to reconsider / watch out for that. I'd heard that Rivian uses Google Places (POI database), but not Google Maps or Voice Assistant.

The Cayenne EV appears to use native Google maps, but Porsche's own LLM voice assistant.
I'd rather use Google's LLM voice assistant so that we have the same assistant in our car as in our home.

Volvo's midsized EX60 is currently top of the list for us. Details to be announced Jan 21. It's said to be Volvo's fastest-charging and longest-range EV.

"Horrific"? We must be driving different trucks.

The Google Map routes on my R1T matches perfectly with what Google Maps does on my phone, except you cannot pin road hazards and speed traps. That is the only feature that keeps me using my phone. Otherwise, routing, traffic, etc, are identical.

If you like the way Google Maps routes on your phone, you will like how it works in a Rivian. It is probably the best navigation solution available. IMO.

Hands free texting has been a something Rivian owners have been asking for and have yet to receive. Voice commands would also be useful, but personally I don't care about it. I will appreciate the voice features when they arrive, but the lack of voice features does not make the navigation solution "horrific". BTW - Rivian allows typing addresses while in motion, which my Mach-e did not allow. Not super safe, I guess, but for me, less nanny is better.

 

[Steveinarizona]

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.

Again, with a Lucid one needs one pedal driving to gain full regen capability because the brake pedal is a friction only brake pedal.

 

[Leftlane]

Porsche has always been absolutely insane with their options pricing - on one hand, you can order it just the way you want it, but on the other, it is not unusual to add 50%+ to the base price once optioned up. One tester I just read optioned his Cayenne EV up to $253k. Configurators are fun to play with but Porsche has taken pricing to the next level. I’ll predict now that the Cayenne EV totally bombs and will probably get cancelled - they can’t give the Macan EV away and they do not get good reviews from owners at all.