Porsche Taycan review

Porsche Taycan verdict

If you consider yourself a 'petrolhead', but are looking to make the switch to an electric car and value sharp handling above anything else, then the Porsche Taycan is the car for you. Yes, it's very expensive, but there are few EVs out there that can even come close to challenging the Taycan for driving fun. 

The cabin is also stunning and, thanks to continuous software updates from Porsche, range has been improving year on year. All things considered, the Porsche Taycan is a huge milestone for electric cars, proving that purist performance cars have a bright future – and present – in the battery powered age. 

Range details, specs and alternatives

If anyone was going to make a true electric driver’s car it was Porsche, and that’s exactly what the brand from Stuttgart did in 2019 when it launched its first-ever EV: the Taycan, a four-door sports saloon to rival the Tesla Model S. Now Porsche has a whole slate of electric cars in development, including zero-emissions replacements for its Boxster and Cayman sports cars, and Macan SUV.

For context, the Taycan is roughly the same size as the Porsche Panamera, but it’s not quite as practical as its more conventional saloon sibling due in part to the coupe-esque looks and no hatchback tailgate. However, if you need a bit more practicality, the Taycan line-up now includes two estates: the Taycan Sport Turismo and the slightly more rugged Cross Tursimo, which we’ve reviewed separately.

The Taycan uses the same EV-dedicated underpinnings as the Audi e-tron GT, with several variants to choose from. The entry-level, rear-wheel drive Taycan and mid-range, four-wheel-drive Taycan 4S both offer a choice of 71kWh or 84kWh (usable) batteries, with claimed maximum ranges of between about 270 and 320 miles depending on the exact specification. 

An 84kWh battery and four-wheel drive are standard in the most expensive GTS, Turbo and Turbo S models, which produce up to 751bhp and all deliver maximum ranges of around 300 miles thanks to some software updates Porsche has made over the years. Opting for any model with the larger batteries also increases the Taycan’s maximum charging speed to 270kW.

The base Taycan starts from a little under £80,000, with standard kit including 18-way power-adjustable sports seats, LED lights, two-zone climate control and the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with online sat nav. However, you can blow five figures on options very easily. The cheapest models don't even include heated seats, power-folding mirrors or adaptive cruise control, and even with the more generously equipped Turbo and Turbo S, it's reasonable to assume that you'll be doing a lot of box-ticking.

Our pick of the lineup is the entry-level Taycan with the larger 84kWh ‘Performance Battery Plus’, as it still offers the full Porsche sports car experience – 400bhp is more than sufficient for use on the road – and costs significantly less than range-topping models. If you’re really desperate for more power or four-wheel-drive grip for the winter months, the mid-spec Taycan 4S is a solid choice, too.

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Make sure to check out our twin test between the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, or for a more detailed look at the Porsche Taycan, read on for the rest of our in-depth review…