Great breakdown. Porsche sets a high bar. I still dream of my 958.2 Cayenne.

 

Interesting comparison, though I cannot fathom why they market the top EV model as “Turbo”, since it doesn’t have one, rather than maybe GT4.

My wife runs a 2021 Macan S (2.9 V6 349hp). I must say, whilst the Macan is a great car, given the choice, I pick up the keys to the I-Pace. That said, whilst my I-Pace has virtually every option (apart from heated steering wheel), her Macan is missing air suspension and many of the driving aids that make the I-Pace effortless yet fun to drive.

 

Windows 10? I thought the 2019’s used QNX as the OS?

 

I never saw any evidences of this Windows thing, apart from the rotating color rectangles. What we know for sure is that the processor is a 2012 1.9 Ghz quad core Intel Atom chip. The User Agent in the browser, however, says "Linux, Android".

 

Thanks for the write-up! There are two issues on your list that are show-stoppers for me. I keep the rear seats folded 99% of the time and have a tall friend that pushes the seat way back... I've lived with removing the headrest before and it quickly becomes a PITA.

 

The forced lack of one-pedal driving and the low regen power is a deal breaker for me. I have no idea what Porsche was thinking. (Almost) everything else sounds fantastic.

 

I drove an Audi Q8 and the lack of true one-pedal driving was annoying. Going downhill is interesting, you let off the "gas" and the car speeds up. I never thought one-pedal would appeal to me, but after having it, it's a must have.

 

How's the ground clearance when lifted? How does it handle at max height?

 

I haven't tried driving around at max height. Max ground clearance in normal mode is 7.2", which is my setting for driving around town. Max ground clearance in raised position is 8.8"

 

I recall reading an article some time ago about VW's ID lineup of cars and that the lack of one pedal is intentional. Ultimately, their engineers determined that it's more efficient to allow the car to coast, than it is to harvest energy in certain settings. So it's a design choice to maximize range.

 

I test drove a Macan Electric 4 and the sales guy said that while there is no one-pedal regen, the brake pedal actuates regen long before it actuates the binders, which only grab on under the heaviest braking. If true, that means you're still getting the efficiency benefits of regen, you're just moving your foot to do it. If true.

Yes, it's a blended braking system, just like the I-Pace's but the regen is biased way towards input by the brake pedal (press) rather than the 'gas' pedal (release).

I recall reading an article some time ago about VW's ID lineup of cars and that the lack of one pedal is intentional. Ultimately, their engineers determined that it's more efficient to allow the car to coast, than it is to harvest energy in certain settings. So it's a design choice to maximize range.

Ah the old discussion of coasting and regen. I recall spirited debates on this forum about coasting. I'm an anti-coaster, but what do I know. Here's what I suspect though: the partnership between VW and Rivian will show VW the light of extremely aggressive regen. Rivian would not have made that choice if it were inefficient. I'm sure VW made that choice because they had focus groups with a bunch of ICE people who can't get their heads around regen, and the result was "we have to minimize regen so that people will feel comfortable in their old ways." The exact opposite of Rivian and Tesla.

 

Yes, it's a blended braking system, just like the I-Pace's but the regen is biased way towards input by the brake pedal (press) rather than the 'gas' pedal (release).



Ah the old discussion of coasting and regen. I recall spirited debates on this forum about coasting. I'm an anti-coaster, but what do I know. Here's what I suspect though: the partnership between VW and Rivian will show VW the light of extremely aggressive regen. Rivian would not have made that choice if it were inefficient. I'm sure VW made that choice because they had focus groups with a bunch of ICE people who can't get their heads around regen, and the result was "we have to minimize regen so that people will feel comfortable in their old ways." The exact opposite of Rivian and Tesla.

Technically, you can do exactly the same amount of coasting/regen with either scenario. In single pedal, you can pull back just enough to coast. Pull back further and you start to regen, push forward, apply power again. Maybe that sweet spot is hard to find, but I think I am mostly driving like that. It means moving from accelerate to the brake in the Macan instead, which is more foot movement, but on the other hand, it takes a bit of work to keep your foot continuously in a certain position in single pedal while coating on a Macan would allow a moment of rest for the foot.

 

If my foot needs rest, I use cruise control.

 

Indeed, the I-Pace cruise control is great. Not so useful in city traffic though. I generally prefer single pedal. I recall driving my Ford Escale hybrid in L often instead of drive because it had the effect of more aggressive regen.