As an early adopter of emerging automotive technology, I‘ve keenly followed the TOGG electric vehicle ever since its launch as Turkey‘s first native EV brand. Clearly possessing promising raw fundamentals, but still an unproven upstart, the TOGG attracted me exactly because of its underdog disruption potential.
But does the TOGG deliver substance to match its aspirations? I decided to dig deeper into the vehicle’s specs, ownership experiences and real-world performance benchmarks to separate hype from reality. This review summarizes my enthusiast’s perspective.
Breaking Down TOGG’s Technology DNA
The TOGG EV Sedan aims to compete in the midsize C-SUV segment, straddling compact crossovers and 4-door sedans. Rakish yet understated exterior styling encases an advanced electric powertrain and comprehensive connected vehicle platform:
Drivetrain
- Dual motor AWD: 200 kW front + 150 kW rear
- 87 – 108 kWh battery capacity
- Peak 640 hp / 740 Nm combined output
- 0-100 km/h: 4.8 seconds
- Top speed: 200 km/h
Range & Charging
- WLTP range: Up to 500 km
- Real-world range: 400+ km (sedate driving)
- Rapid charging: 80% under 30 mins (200+ kW)
- 15 mins charging = 125+ km range regained
Driver Assistance
- Level 2+ autonomous capability
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automated parking, summoning
- Collision warning, prevention
- Driver attention, road sign monitoring
Infotainment & Connectivity
- 5G V2X communication capability
- 12-inch interactive cockpit cluster
- 15-inch central touch display
- Smart device mirroring, control
Performance Benchmarks
||TOGG EV|VW Tiguan|Hyundai Tucson PHEV|
|—|—|—|—|
|0-100 km/h|4.8 s|8.1 s|8.0 s|
|Top speed|200 km/h|208 km/h|191 km/h|
|Battery capacity|87 – 108 kWh|N/A|13.8 kWh|
|Electric range|400+ km|N/A|56 km|
Dimensionally, the TOGG comes in at 4,695 mm length, 1,850 mm width and 1,670 mm height with a 2,850 mm wheelbase.
Clearly its battery capacity, electric motors and charging speed confer solid performance advantages over internal combustion rivals. But does that edge sustain in owners’ hands? Let’s examine real-world experiences.
TOGG Ownership Experiences: The Good and Bad
With 7,000+ vehicles delivered to date, patterns emerge around strengths welcomed by owners, but also consistent pain points.
POSITIVES
Comfort
- Plush interior materials, supportive seats and adjustable ambient lighting make drivers feel ensconced in an inviting space.
- Active noise cancellation and sound insulation swallow road and vibration noise for serene comfort.
- Multi-zone climate control keeps passengers happy with personalized environments.
Performance
- Instant torque makes the TOGG feel urgently quick in sport mode.
- Low center of gravity and rigid chassis allow confident high speed corner carving.
- Brakes offer strong, progressive pedal bite for repeated hard use.
Range & Charging
- 400+ km between charges keeps range anxiety largely in check during daily use.
- Rapid charging regains over 120 km in just 15 minutes – perfect for topping up on road trips.
- Scheduled charging and climate preconditioning adds convenience.
Technology
- Over-the-air software update capability keeps vehicle fresh post-purchase.
- Smartphone control, mirroring and live diagnostics monitoring grant peace of mind.
- Advanced driver aids take the strain out of parking, traffic and long drives.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Reliability & Build Quality
- Multiple owners report glitchy operation of electric features like auto windows, doors, lighting etc. Physical alignment and tolerances need tightening.
- Perplexing electrical faults cause cameras and sensors to sporadically fail. Software needs hardening against edge cases.
- Warning chimes mistakenly sound for non-existent issues, eroding driver confidence. Logic validation requires tuning.
Battery & Charging
- Max range doesn’t fully meet claimed numbers for all owners. Real world conditions introduce variability.
- Rapid charging rates start tapering before max capacity. Further testing may optimize battery charging profiles.
Electronic Components
- Touch sensors and screen response lags occasionally, even after resets. More durable materials could reduce hardware faults.
- Wireless charger alignment very specific, losing sync over minor bumps. Wider charging coil/mat could help.
Ergonomics
- Steering wheel controls take acclimatization due repetitive button pressing for actions. Streamlining most common tasks could help.
- Armrest angle not adjustable. Wedge-shaped support exacerbates elbow ache on long drives. Customizability options welcome.
Customization
- Cabin ambient lighting offers limited color palette and animation options compared with rivals. Additional personalization capabilities expected now.
- App ecosystem nascent compared to established brands. Vibrant developer community engagement could spur cool integrated use cases.
TOGG Ownership Verdict: Temper Expectations But Bet on the Future
The TOGG EV brings disruptively quick, silent performance and surprisingly premium construction quality from a fledgling brand – representing a remarkable technological achievement for the Turkish automotive industry.
For a first vehicle release, teething issues around reliability and calibration are expected. And the company appears responsive with over-the-air updates addressing early glitches.
Prospective owners must temper expectations around fluidity and polish though, prepared to cope with some rough edges today for the promise of rapid evolution tomorrow spurred by real-world learning. Treat ownership as an investment pioneering Turkey‘s automotive reawakening.
If rhetorical ambition is realized through sustained engineering rigor and manufacturing excellence, TOGG could well emerge as a domestic EV icon demonstrating Turkish automotive competency globally.
For now, cautious optimism seems warranted – monitor the v2 release for evolutionary improvements building on the solid v1 foundations. TOGG’s underdog potential makes it definitely one to watch.