In 2016, Porsche unveiled a concept vehicle named “Mission E.” Taycan is Mission E’s closest production version, 4 door all-electric performance sports sedan. This is Porsches’ first all-electric car. In this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about Porsche Taycan.
At the end of this article, we also have compared the specs of Taycan Turbo vs. Model S, Model X and Model 3 in an easy to understand table.
Models:
Porsche Taycan has 3 models.
- Taycan 4S
- Taycan Turbo
- Taycan Turbo S
Porsche Taycan Price:
- Taycan 4S MSRP: base model starts at $103,800
- Taycan Turbo MSRP: starts at $150,900
- Taycan Turbo S MSRP: base model starts at $185,000
However, dealers would determine the actual selling prices of these Porsche Taycan.
Battery Size:
Taycan comes in 2 battery sizes. However, both Porsche Taycan Turbo and Turbo S have a 93.4 kWh battery.
- Performance Battery (79.2kWh)
- Performance Battery Plus (93.4kWh)
Taycan Range:
- Taycan Turbo: 201 miles (EPA estimate)
- Taycan Turbo S: 220 miles (Real-world observation)
Cargo Storage Capacity:
- Front Storage: 2.8 cubic ft.
- Rear Storage: 12.9 cubic ft.
- Total: 15.7 cubic ft.
Porsche Taycan 0-60 acceleration with launch control:
- Taycan 4S: 3.8 seconds.
- Taycan Turbo: 3.0 seconds.
- Taycan Turbo S: 2.6 seconds.
Porsche Taycan dimensions:
Every Porsche Taycan has following body dimensions.
- Length: 195.4 inches.
- Width: 84.5 inches. (without mirror)
- Height: 54.4 inches.
Taycan Max Speed:
- Taycan 4S: 155 mph.
- Taycan Turbo: 161 mph.
- Taycan Turbo S: 161 mph.
Seating Capacity:
By default, every Porsche Taycan has a seating capacity of 4 people. However, there is an option to add “Rear 2+1 Seats,” which costs $480.
Curb Weight:
- Taycan 4S: 4,953 lbs.
- Turbo: 5,132 lbs.
- Turbo S: 5,121 lbs.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
- Taycan 4S: 6,349 lbs.
- Turbo: 6,349 lbs.
- Turbo S: 6,327 lbs.
Drag coefficient (Cd):
- 4S: 0.22 Cd.
- Turbo: 0.22 Cd.
- Turbo S: 0.25 Cd.
Motor Horsepower (HP):
- Taycan 4S: 482 hp (562 hp with launch control)
- Taycan Turbo: 616 hp (670 hp with launch control)
- Taycan Turbo S: 616 hp (750 hp with launch control)
Approach Angle:
Approach angle when the air suspension is on the highest level.
- Turbo: 11.2 degrees.
- Turbo S: 11.0 degrees.
Departure Angle:
Departure angle when the air suspension is on the highest level.
- Turbo: 14.8 degrees.
- Turbo S: 14.1 degrees.
The following video describes what approach and departure angle is.
Records:
Porsche Taycan has a Nurburgring lap time record of 7 min 42 seconds. In November 2018, It also did a record run of 3,425 km (2128 miles) in 24 hours for a 4 doors vehicle category. According to Porsche, this vehicle can also do repeated quick launch without losing any vehicle performance. Taycan has a 28 repeated launch record.
Porsche Taycan Colors:
Taycan comes in 10 different colors. These are –
- White
- Black
- Carrara White Metallic
- Jet Black Metallic
- Volcano Grey Metallic
- Dolomite Silver Metallic
- Gentian Blue
- Frozen Blue
- Mamba Green
- Carmine Red
Porsche Taycan Image Gallery in Different Colors:
Interior Design:
There’s no doubt that the interior of Taycan is very luxurious. Tesla does not come close to the build, look, feel, and finish of this vehicle.
Porsche Taycan Charging Stations:
Though Porsche does not have any proprietary charging network similar to Tesla Supercharger, there are numerous 3rd party charging stations available both in the USA and Europe, such as Electrify America and Ionity.
Charging Time:
- Charging time for alternating current (AC) with 9.6kW (0 to up to 100%): 10.5 hrs
- Charging time for direct current (DC) with 50kW (5 to up to 80%): 93.0 min
- Charging time for direct current (DC) with maximum charging power (5 to up to 80%): 22.5 min
Porsche Taycan Safety:
This is a 5 star rated safety vehicle. The following video shows the Euro NCAP safety test of Taycan.
Wireless mobile charging:
There is a wireless charging pad in the central control storage area.
Head and Leg Room:
It has enough head, leg, and knee room for a 6’1” person both front and back seat.
Rear Window Pitfall:
Due to the car’s design, the rear window does not go all the way down.
Porsche Taycan has 3 individual displays.
- Center Display.
- Upper Display.
- Gauge Cluster Screen.
Center Display:
This display has all the controls for Taycan’s seat heater, A/C, fan speed, front and rear defroster, interior temperature, front trunk, rear trunk opening and closing, charge port, media volume, and camera. Using this center display, you can also control the upper screen. However, this screen is not a Capacitive display. It’s a Resistive display. So you have to press harder on the screen to register your touch.
Upper screen also known as “Porsche Communication Management (PCM)” screen:
This display controls navigation, media, car settings, climate vent airflow direction, and airflow speed. This screen also works as the display for all the vehicle cameras.
Guage cluster screen:
This display is a slightly curved and partial touch screen. This screen shows vehicle speed, navigation, range status. All the vehicle’s light controls are on this display.
Porsche Taycan Interesting Feature – Fake Sound:
Electric vehicles are quite. However, Taycan has an option to add “Electric Sport Sound” for $500. In the following video, Doug Demuro demonstrates it. The demonstration starts at 31:49 and ends at 32:12.
Porsche Taycan Vs. Tesla Comparison:
Before we begin, these feature comparisons will help us to make a better decision.
Note: In our comparison, we have not considered any maintenance costs.
Taycan Turbo Vs. Tesla Full Self Driving:
Autopilot:
All Tesla cars come standard with driver assistance features such as emergency braking, collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. This also enables your car to steer, accelerate, and brake automatically for other vehicles and pedestrians within its lane.
Taycan does not have any of these standard features. However, there are options to add the following features –
- ParkAssist (Fron and Rear) including Surround View: $1,200
- Porsche InnoDrive including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): $3,610
- Lane Change Assist (LCA): $950
- Total Cost: $5,760
However, Tesla sells Full Self Driving features for $7,000. These features include –
Full Self-Driving Capability:
- Navigate on Autopilot: automatic driving from highway on-ramp to off-ramp, including interchanges and overtaking slower cars.
- Auto Lane Change: automatic lane changes while driving on the highway.
- Autopark: both parallel and perpendicular spaces.
- Summon: your parked car will come to find you anywhere in a parking lot.
- Recognize and respond to traffic lights and stop signs.
- Automatic driving on city streets.
Porsche Taycan Vs. Tesla Charging Infrastructure:
Porsche does not have its charging network. However, you can use Electrify America, Ionity, and other 3rd party charging stations.
As a Tesla owner, you can also use the above-mentioned charging network. But on top of this, Tesla has its charging infrastructure called Supercharger.
Taycan Turbo Vs. Tesla Infotainment System:
Every Tesla vehicle comes with a very advanced infotainment system. This includes Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Web-browser, Disney+, YouTube, Arcade games, Caraoke (Karaoke for Cars), Google Maps with live traffic, and many other features and software.
Compared to this, Porsche Taycan has a very mundane infotainment system. The displays are also not as responsive as Teslas’.
Taycan Turbo Vs. Tesla Model S Interior:
Compared to a Tesla, Taycan Turbo has a magnificent luxurious interior.
Taycan Vs. Tesla Side Mirrors Comparison:
Porsche Taycan has an option to add “Power Folding Exterior Mirrors” for a price of $330. However, in Tesla Model S and X, Auto-dimming, power-folding, heated side mirrors are standard.
Cold Weather Features:
Every Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3 comes with cold-weather features for free such as heated seats for every passenger, heated steering wheel, wiper blade defrosters, and washer nozzle heaters.
However, you have to pay to get these features for Porsche Taycan. The pricing is as follows:
- Seat Heating (Front and Rear): $530
- Steering Wheel Heating: $280
Taycan Vs. Tesla Panoramic Roof Glass:
Every Tesla Model 3, Model S, and Model X comes with a standard panoramic tinted glass roof with ultraviolet and infrared protection. Whereas Porsche charges you $1,490 for this feature. Unfortunately, the deselection of this option is not possible as this is a standard option for Porsche Taycan.
Taycan Vs. Tesla Dynamic Lights.
The low beam light system which rotates according to the steering wheel rotation (or angle) is known as “Dynamic Cornering Light” for Porsche and “Adaptive Front Lighting System” for Tesla.
The high beam light system, which turns off the high beam automatically when it detects an oncoming vehicle and turns it on when there is no oncoming vehicle, is known as “High Beam Assist” for Porsche, and “Auto High Beam” for Tesla.
This dynamic lighting system is free on every Tesla Model S and Model X. Whereas, you have to pay a minimum of $1,970 to get this in a Porsche Taycan.
Taycan Vs. Tesla Mobile Home Charger Cable:
Porsche Taycan comes with an optional mobile home charger cable and necessary sockets priced at $1,120. However, the deselection of this option is not possible, as this is a mandatory option. For Tesla, all the required cables and sockets come free.
Porsche Taycan Charging Cost:
Before we begin our comparison with Tesla Model S, X, and 3, let us first calculate the cost of charge for Taycan.
Taycan Turbo has a 94 kWh battery. Its total range is 201 miles. So, this model goes (201 miles / 94 kWh) = 2.14 miles / kWh.
Total Driven Miles: 100,000
Total consumed electricity: 100,000 miles x 2.14 miles / kWh = 46,728.97 kWh.
Total Cost: 46.728.97 kWh x $0.28 / kWh ≈ $13,084
Porsche Taycan can’t recharge at Tesla Supercharger. You have to use Electrify America or other charging infrastructure.
Every Model S and X comes with unlimited free Tesla Supercharging. So the cost for these 2 models is $0.
Taycan Turbo Vs. Tesla Model S P100D Specs Comparison Table:
| Porsche Taycan Turbo | Tesla Model X Performance | |
| Price | $157,190* | $99,990 |
| Range (EPA estimate) | 201 miles | 348 miles |
| Miles per gallon equivalent | 69 MPGe | 104 MPGe |
| Top Speed | 161 mph | 163 miles |
| 0 to 60 | 3.0 s (with launch control) | 2.4 s (with ludicrous mode) |
| Cargo Capacities | 15.7 cubic ft. | 28 cubic ft. |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | 0.22 Cd. | 0.23 Cd. |
| Curb Weight | 5,132 lbs. | 4,941 lbs. |
| Display | 16.8” Curved Display. | 17” Main Display. 1 Instrument Cluster Display. |
| Seating Capacity | 4 person | 5 person |
| Max Charging Speed | 270 kW | 200 kW |
| Charging Cost | $13,084 | $0 (Free) |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $170,274 | $99,990 |
*Adaptive Cruise Control added to Porsche Taycan because Autopilot is standard in Tesla Model S.
Taycan Turbo Vs. Tesla Model X specs comparison Table:
Note: Model X is an SUV.
| Porsche Taycan Turbo | Tesla Model X Performance | |
| Price | $157,190* | $108,490 (7 seats) |
| Range (EPA estimate) | 201 miles | 305 miles |
| Miles per gallon equivalent | 69 MPGe | 90 MPGe |
| Top Speed | 161 mph | 163 miles |
| 0 to 60 | 3.0 s (with launch control) | 2.7 s (with ludicrous mode) |
| Cargo Capacities | 15.7 cubic ft. | 88 cubic ft. |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | 0.22 Cd. | 0.25 Cd. |
| Curb Weight | 5,132 lbs. | 5,531 lbs. |
| Display | 16.8” Curved Display. | 17” Main Display. 1 Instrument Cluster Display or Driver Display. |
| Seating Capacity | 4 person | 7 person |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | 5,000 lbs. |
| Max Charging Speed | 270 kW | 200 kW |
| Charging Cost | $13,084 | $0 (Free) |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $170,274 | $99,990 |
*Adaptive Cruise Control added to Porsche Taycan because Autopilot is standard in Tesla Model X.
Taycan Turbo Vs. Tesla Model 3 Specs Comparison Table:
| Porsche Taycan Turbo | Tesla Model X Performance | |
| Price | $157,190* | $56,990 |
| Range (EPA estimate) | 201 miles | 310 miles |
| Miles per gallon equivalent | 69 MPGe | 113 MPGe |
| Top Speed | 161 mph | 162 miles |
| 0 to 60 | 3.0 s (with launch control) | 3.2 s (with ludicrous mode) |
| Cargo Capacities | 15.7 cubic ft. | 15 cubic ft. |
| Drag coefficient (Cd) | 0.22 Cd. | Unknown |
| Curb Weight | 5,132 lbs. | 4,036 lbs. |
| Display | 16.8” Curved Display. | 15” Main Display. |
| Seating Capacity | 4 person | 5 person |
| Max Charging Speed | 270 kW | 250 kW |
*Adaptive Cruise Control added to Porsche Taycan because Autopilot is standard in Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3.
Conclusion:
Porsche Taycan is an excellent high-performance vehicle. However, performance, range, and value-wise it seems – Taycan is an overpriced vehicle compared to a Tesla.
References:
- Porsche Taycan: https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/taycan/taycan-models/
- Tesla Model S: https://www.tesla.com/models
- Tesla Model X: https://www.tesla.com/modelx
- EPA website: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/