Cayenne EV preview (photos & impressions) from the Franciacorta Experience Center Italia racetrack

[benjaminbutton]

Mystic Green Cayenne Turbo EV and Vanadium Grey Metallic Base Cayenne EV

 

[CHP]

Thanks for sharing. Seems like the same 2 cars from recent reviews.

 

[benjaminbutton]

Yes, definitely. They come from Germany and I haven't been able to test them, and it seems like even the PMs haven't been able to test them. They're definitely final demo versions to be shown. The official presentation will be in March 2026. However, I assure you that in person it's a completely different thing than the photos, which don't even convey the dimensions. I have a Macan Turbo EV, and the 20-centimeter difference is much, much more visible in person. The interior is much larger (it seems), with top-notch materials and finishes. It looks like my former Taycan Cross Turbo on a larger scale. The front is especially impressive.

 

[CHP]

Yes, definitely. They come from Germany and I haven't been able to test them, and it seems like even the PMs haven't been able to test them. They're definitely final demo versions to be shown. The official presentation will be in March 2026. However, I assure you that in person it's a completely different thing than the photos, which don't even convey the dimensions. I have a Macan Turbo EV, and the 20-centimeter difference is much, much more visible in person. The interior is much larger (it seems), with top-notch materials and finishes. It looks like my former Taycan Cross Turbo on a larger scale. The front is especially impressive.

Thanks for sharing, my father was invited to see them in Germany yesterday. Cars travel around Europe and will eventually end up here in UK I was told. I had bad experience with my two Macan's and thus the pleasure to drive multiple loaners across the range for an extended period of time. I have the same impression, interior of Taycan and Panamera feels more premium. I had to click a lot of interior specs beyond full leather for 2nd Macan ;-).

I was afraid of dimensions. I come from a larger SUV so downsizing to Macan felt just about right here in UK. Length is not to different from Taycan and should be lower than current Cayenne. Are you happy how it looks? On the road, my main concern is width. Don't do lots of parallel parking. Turning circle with RWS is 11.6 vs. 11.1 though.

How is the seating position? Macan for me is the best compromise in terms of getting in and out and driver position. Taycan was a little cumbersome to get in and out whereas Panamera was fine. Are seats the same as for Macan? Not sure if I should order comfort or sport.

 

[CHP]

 

[benjaminbutton]

Thanks for sharing, my father was invited to see them in Germany yesterday. Cars travel around Europe and will eventually end up here in UK I was told. I had bad experience with my two Macan's and thus the pleasure to drive multiple loaners across the range for an extended period of time. I have the same impression, interior of Taycan and Panamera feels more premium. I had to click a lot of interior specs beyond full leather for 2nd Macan ;-).

I was afraid of dimensions. I come from a larger SUV so downsizing to Macan felt just about right here in UK. Length is not to different from Taycan and should be lower than current Cayenne. Are you happy how it looks? On the road, my main concern is width. Don't do lots of parallel parking. Turning circle with RWS is 11.6 vs. 11.1 though.

How is the seating position? Macan for me is the best compromise in terms of getting in and out and driver position. Taycan was a little cumbersome to get in and out whereas Panamera was fine. Are seats the same as for Macan? Not sure if I should order comfort or sport.

The new CY EV is 4–5 cm longer than the combustion version and 20 cm shorter than the Macan EV. When you get in and adjust the seat, it feels like being back in the Taycan Cross—meaning a car that’s long both in the back and in the front. You get the impression (and it may actually be true) that the end of the hood is much farther forward than on the Macan EV. When seated, you really perceive the car as longer (even beyond its actual +20 cm compared to the Macan EV). In other words… the extra 20 cm is the physical length, but the feeling you get from the driver’s seat is greater, perhaps because the seat mounting point has been placed farther back.


Let’s say it’s a “taller Super Taycan.” They finally fixed the armrest, which on the Macan is really uncomfortable—you can’t rest your elbows properly (I’m 1.74 m tall). The Taycan (Cross Turismo) was a fantastic car, but the Macan EV is actually more appropriately sized for everyday use. Of course… the Cayenne EV is an imposing SUV. Despite the photos, when you see it in person it looks much bigger. Height-wise: it’s not excessively tall, and if you avoid putting roof bars on it, it has a sleek profile… again, a Super Taycan Cross.


The interior is like the Taycan, but also similar to the Macan—there doesn’t seem to be that much difference in quality. The only negative point: Porsche still hasn’t found the right solution for the digital interface. They’re still using Android Automotive (I mean the OS part, not Android Auto from the smartphone), with the limitations of a system that’s still immature and not very flexible. I’d say that the VW/Porsche group is still light-years behind BMW, even if they’ve made a small step forward. There’s a lot of work to be done on user experience and user interface.


The soft-close doors are nice (now standard even on many Chinese cars), and the electrically reclining rear seats are great. The wheel options, however, are very lacking—not particularly aggressive. An interesting detail is the difference in the lower front “blade” between the Base and Turbo versions: on the Turbo it’s really beautiful, split into two parts, very nice to look at.

 

[benjaminbutton]

The overlays are not accurate with respect to the cars’ dimensional proportions. It’s basically a bit of a homemade job

 

[CHP]

The overlays are not accurate with respect to the cars’ dimensional proportions. It’s basically a bit of a homemade job

I tried my best I used images from Porsche website and calibrate to dimensions provided. It's not that far off. Front is higher but not actually longer. Steering wheel same position. Distance A to B column slightly larger, distance B to C column significantly larger.

 

[CHP]

More professional from website

 

[CHP]

The new CY EV is 4–5 cm longer than the combustion version and 20 cm shorter than the Macan EV. When you get in and adjust the seat, it feels like being back in the Taycan Cross—meaning a car that’s long both in the back and in the front. You get the impression (and it may actually be true) that the end of the hood is much farther forward than on the Macan EV. When seated, you really perceive the car as longer (even beyond its actual +20 cm compared to the Macan EV). In other words… the extra 20 cm is the physical length, but the feeling you get from the driver’s seat is greater, perhaps because the seat mounting point has been placed farther back.


Let’s say it’s a “taller Super Taycan.” They finally fixed the armrest, which on the Macan is really uncomfortable—you can’t rest your elbows properly (I’m 1.74 m tall). The Taycan (Cross Turismo) was a fantastic car, but the Macan EV is actually more appropriately sized for everyday use. Of course… the Cayenne EV is an imposing SUV. Despite the photos, when you see it in person it looks much bigger. Height-wise: it’s not excessively tall, and if you avoid putting roof bars on it, it has a sleek profile… again, a Super Taycan Cross.


The interior is like the Taycan, but also similar to the Macan—there doesn’t seem to be that much difference in quality. The only negative point: Porsche still hasn’t found the right solution for the digital interface. They’re still using Android Automotive (I mean the OS part, not Android Auto from the smartphone), with the limitations of a system that’s still immature and not very flexible. I’d say that the VW/Porsche group is still light-years behind BMW, even if they’ve made a small step forward. There’s a lot of work to be done on user experience and user interface.


The soft-close doors are nice (now standard even on many Chinese cars), and the electrically reclining rear seats are great. The wheel options, however, are very lacking—not particularly aggressive. An interesting detail is the difference in the lower front “blade” between the Base and Turbo versions: on the Turbo it’s really beautiful, split into two parts, very nice to look at.

Thank you. Agree, physical dimensions are not everything. Guess I will find out when my car arrives. Needed to make quick decision as my GTS is a December build. Macan for sure is more fun to drive in the city but Cayenne will be more versatile with kids on longer road trips.

Macan interior is very functional but never grew fond of centre console. Although I opted for centre console leather, still looks a little cheap. As for software, it does offer what I need. CarPlay integration is brilliant. Mercedes is certainly the benchmark if it comes to software and autonomous driving, Level 3 in China imminent and all new cars with package meet level 3 requirements already but EU to slow with legislation. Agree, Porsche one car cycle behind. As for BMW, not sure if new interior makes ergonomically sense. Why would I want to press centre touch screen to operate lower front window projection screens. I am not a chameleon.

I know you have your eye on the Turbo, but did you test normal seats in base model?

thanks

 

[kwrudy123]

Yes, definitely. They come from Germany and I haven't been able to test them, and it seems like even the PMs haven't been able to test them. They're definitely final demo versions to be shown. The official presentation will be in March 2026. However, I assure you that in person it's a completely different thing than the photos, which don't even convey the dimensions. I have a Macan Turbo EV, and the 20-centimeter difference is much, much more visible in person. The interior is much larger (it seems), with top-notch materials and finishes. It looks like my former Taycan Cross Turbo on a larger scale. The front is especially impressive.

 

[kwrudy123]

When entering and exiting the new Cayenne, did you find the position of the front seats relative to the B pillar acceptable? Meaning, was it much easier to climb in/out of the front seats compared to the Taycan, which was always a challenge given how far forward the B pillar is in that car, thereby blocking clear access to the front seat, which is set further back in the vehicle?

 

[Moheisen(FirstEV)]

I am also really interested of hearing when testing 14-way vs 18-way seats. Is there any big difference or just the same as all other Porsches?

 

[benjaminbutton]

I am also really interested of hearing when testing 14-way vs 18-way seats. Is there any big difference or just the same as all other Porsches?

18 way are same of Macan EV.

 

[benjaminbutton]

When entering and exiting the new Cayenne, did you find the position of the front seats relative to the B pillar acceptable? Meaning, was it much easier to climb in/out of the front seats compared to the Taycan, which was always a challenge given how far forward the B pillar is in that car, thereby blocking clear access to the front seat, which is set further back in the vehicle?

The Cayenne is definitely better, but that's only natural. In the Taycan, you climb by sliding into the Cayenne (like in the Macan), climbing in the truest sense of the word. I remember that the first few kilometers with the Macan EV felt like I was driving on eggshells compared to the Taycan, but then I got used to it. You can't have everything. The Taycan is a HyperCar, the Macan EV Turbo is a SuperSUV, but the Cayenne Turbo will be a HyperSUV.