MY2026 loaner impressions

[TomekGnomek]

Hi, I had a chance (wish I hadn’t) to drive an MY2026 loaner.

For comparison, my car is an MY2024, one of the first off the production line (delivered 09/2024). It’s plagued by most of the issues people report here - it’s like it combines this whole forum Surprisingly, it’s solid as a rock, with no rattles even after half the car was reassembled.

My impression is that the MY2026 is a much more refined platform - this is what the car should have been from the start.

Compared to my MY2024:

1) The suspension works better. Not sure how to describe it, but it felt more Taycan-like (better composed, more precise, reacts quicker and is less wobbly - I think this is what Kyle from Out of Spec mentioned about the GTS, I guess it may be all MY2026)
2) Assistance systems work better. In particular, LKA no longer overreacts but gently corrects the steering. BSM doesn’t produce any false positives, and when backing up in my driveway there are no false positives from any systems which in my car often cause the brakes to engage
3) I didn’t encounter any warnings or errors, especially related to assistance systems (which in my case happen quite often in difficult conditions, like mornings in bad weather)
4) The front doors close more easily - no need to slam them 2–3 times. It seems related to the window dropping slightly more to let air escape
5) I think the car is quieter inside, with better insulation from the road. I had the same 21" wheels and winter tires, and road noise on the highway was noticeably lower
6) There were some interior rattles, and I wonder if it has something to do with the trim level. Mine has extended Club Leather and is dead silent; this one was mostly plastic and you could hear it

Overall, compared to my MY2024, I was very impressed. My advice: if you’re shopping for this car but are a bit worried after all the stories - especially if you’re considering an MY2024/2025 CPO - go for the MY2026. Based on my experience with this particular car, you should be very happy.

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[MKSZ51]

All good manufacturers will continue to refine a vehicle based on what has been learned from prior models. It can seem a bit disappointing when you see improvements after only a few years but it's just how the system works - when developing a new vehicle a relatively limited number of test models are manufactured and tested to develop the final production model. When the vehicle goes into production the numbers available for testing (by us, the consumer) increases greatly so more opportunities are available to identify new refinements. Be glad they continue to refine the model.

 

[TomekGnomek]

Be glad they continue to refine the model.

Did you get the impression I wasn't?

It's a great improvement and honestly I was even surprised a lot is clearly being done sooner than with the next facelift (in case of Taycan clients had to wait for J1.2 to resolve many issues).

 

[SergeyIndy]

Same thing happen with the Taycan. I test drove 2020, 2021, 2022 and then placed the order for the 2023 that has been flaweless. We have to trust that they follow continuous improvement principles as they get feedack from the field. I cannot image they do not if owners bring them to dealers to address issues that require corporate to pay for dealer time.

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