• Latest version of Porsche’s interior
• Seriously reduced button count
• Screens aplenty, including dials

How is the quality and layout?

The first thing you’ll notice on getting into the Porsche Taycan is the big on/off button to the right of the steering wheel that you use to start the car. Then there’s the stubby gear selector rocker switch and parking brake button to the left of the wheel. Siting them there frees up space for a couple of cup holders on the centre console.

The rest of the interior is a riff on the clean, uncluttered cockpit of the original 1963 Porsche 911, says the manufacturer. There’s a freestanding digital instrument cluster in front of the driver, a large infotainment system touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard and another touchscreen lower down for the climate control and charging information.

As a result, the button count is very low and that means certain basic functions such as adjusting the air vents require menu diving. Still, both touchscreens are responsive and bright, and the menus are easy to get your head around.

We found material and build quality are absolutely first-rate, but then we expect nothing less of a Porsche. Or, for that matter, a car that costs as much as the Taycan. It’s certainly way beyond a Tesla Model S, and better than the Mercedes EQS and BMW i5.

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To increase the car’s environmental credentials, the leather is tanned with olives instead of chemicals, and there’s the option of a leather-free interior complete with flooring made from recycled fishing nets.

Infotainment and tech

The Porsche Taycan’s interior is dominated by screens and the biggest is the 16.8-inch curved digital instrument cluster. It’s a good-looking set-up that can show a vast range of information – some of which we found to be largely irrelevant, but it’s nice to have such comprehensive data available if you want it. Touch pad controls for the lights and air suspension are sited on the left-hand edge of the screen.

In the middle of the dashboard, there’s the 10.9-inch infotainment system touchscreen. Again, it’s a good-looking, user-friendly system and it’s easy enough to get your head around the many, many menus. Apple CarPlay connectivity comes as standard, though curiously not Android Auto, which irked some of our testers. But you can make/take calls and stream audio via Bluetooth.

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Speaking of audio, even the most basic stereo available in the Taycan sounds fantastic. More powerful Bose and Burmester stereos are on the options list. Other options include a separate screen for the front seat passenger that can show video without it being visible to the driver, and additional screens for the back seat passengers.

Below the infotainment screen is another touchscreen that controls the aircon and charging. It’s easier to use than many similar set-ups we’ve encountered, and the screen shows useful information about state and speed of charging.

Comfort

• Comfortable and supportive front seats
• Rear seat also very comfy
• Quiet and refined at speed

As is typical of Porsche, Taycan buyers can specify several different types of front seat. The standard-issue seats as fitted to the base-model Taycan and Taycan 4S are electrically adjustable eight ways and heated. The top-grade seats have 18-way adjustment plus cooling and massaging functions. We’ve spent many hours in the standard seats and found them to be perfectly comfortable. Ultra-sporty bucket seats are available on certain models and are surprisingly comfortable and supportive.

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The back seats are very nearly as comfortable as those in the front, albeit with the caveat that taller passengers might find headroom a bit too tight. The optional middle back seat is really only suitable for children, and they won’t want to be there for long.

The Taycan is a very quiet car on the move, with little wind or tyre noise. Though the tyres do grumble on particularly poor, broken roads – which some of testers suffer every time they leave the house. Overall, though, it’s a very relaxing, comfortable car to spend a long journey in. We certainly can’t think of any rival that’s noticeably better in this regard. In the absence of engine noise, rather amusing spaceship-like sounds play through the stereo, but they can be turned off if desired.