Used 2021 Porsche Taycan

The 2021 Porsche Taycan is the all-electric car for serious driving enthusiasts. As well as being a sumptuous, high-tech luxury sedan. Not that there’s anything wrong with a 6-cylinder combustion engine in the trunk (just ask any 911 lover), but the Taycan — all-new only last year — is out there on the cutting edge of personal transportation.

An obvious rival is the Tesla Model S. Hard to believe it’s been around for almost 10 years now, but the Model S is still amazing and has considerable strengths. One is the number of miles covered by a full battery before requiring a recharge (aka range). This is a bit of a moving target as battery technology improves, along with how vehicles use the energy.

The 2021 Model S Long Range Plus model is claimed to achieve 402 miles. A new, upscale version called Plaid is supposed to reach 520 miles. These figures are way beyond what the Taycan can do. The best a 2021 Taycan can manage is 227 miles. But that’s not the point of a Porsche, even an all-electric one.

Porsche has that whole handling/excitement/engineering thing mastered. The expertise is there in every vehicle the company makes, even this all-electric one. The Taycan makes its case with levels of driver engagement that only Porsche can deliver, along with fresher and more stylish looks, a longer list of options, and the undeniable prestige of the Porsche badge.

This year sees some updates that require a little explanation. Buyers can choose to add various functions after they’ve purchased a new Taycan. Known as Function on Demand, software packages can be uploaded over the air, including Porsche Intelligent Range Manager, Active Lane Keep Assist, and InnoDrive — where the car adapts to the immediate conditions.

Plug & Charge includes a function where the charger and plug communicate automatically to facilitate payment. And a battery preservation feature allows users to dial back the rate of charge (thereby protecting the battery from aging too quickly) if they have the time for a longer stop.

Thanks to its near-perfect steering calibration, excellent brake modulation, and grippy all-wheel-drive system, the 2021 Taycan is an absolute joy to drive. Placing the battery pack in the floor results in a low center of gravity, making the Taycan feel planted and stable. And as with all things Porsche, several options (like carbon-ceramic brakes and rear-wheel steering) mean even greater thrills.

Higher trims bring higher performance, although all 2021 Taycan models are extremely powerful and quick. The 4S has up to 522 horsepower (with launch control engaged) and 472 lb-ft of torque, energizing a standstill-to-60 mph sprint of just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.

At the top of the lineup, the Taycan Turbo S (there isn’t actually a turbocharger on board) packs a staggering 750 horsepower (with launch control engaged) and 774 lb-ft of torque. This translates to 2.6 seconds for the sprint to 60 mph and a top speed of 161 mph.

All that’s missing from the typical Porsche sensations are the engine noises. But just because the Taycan deploys silent electric motors, it still drives and handles like a Porsche. And that may be the biggest difference from the Tesla Model S.

At its best, the Tesla is quicker: 2.3 seconds to 60 mph. The Tesla also has a longer range, and the standard Autopilot system seems to get closer to self-driving every day. But for drivers who still prefer to do that task themselves, the Taycan shines. It corners better and feels more engaging overall.

The Taycan’s cabin is yet another example of Porsche’s innovative approach. The dashboard houses an array of digital screens, including a 16.8-inch curved-glass instrument cluster, a 10.9-inch central display above a lower 8.4-inch console, and an optional 10.9-inch display in front of the passenger. Porsche says that almost all physical buttons have been replaced by touch controls.

The two front seats are well-bolstered, with 8-way powered adjustment as standard and 18-way adaptive sport seats available. A 4-occupant arrangement is standard. A “2+1” setup in the back, adding a small middle seat, is optional. But that makes things quite cramped when in use. Otherwise, rear space is suitable for adults. The battery pack is shaped so that the rear floor has extra space for passengers’ feet.

Everyday capability is supplemented by respectable cargo capacity. Trunk space measures 14.3 cubic feet in 4S models and 12.9 in the two Turbos. In common with the 911 and 718 Boxster/Cayman models, the Taycan also has a small storage space up front that adds 2.8 cubic feet.

The 2021 model year adds five new interior color schemes.

Slightly shorter than a Porsche Panamera, a touch longer than a BMW 5 Series, the 2021 Taycan is still a relatively large sedan. It differs from the Tesla Model S by having a proper trunk, as opposed to a hatchback. But it shares a set of cool retractable door handles that fit flush to the bodywork.

Bodywork that includes distinct styling features, still with an overall Porsche-ness yet different enough to stand on their own merits. One little detail is so brilliant, it’s surprising that other electric vehicles don’t have it — charge ports on both sides. They’re near the front wheels, and drivers can use whichever side is most convenient.

Every 2021 Taycan comes with an aluminum “double bubble” roof, although a moonroof is optional. This year also brings seven new paint colors. And the Carbon Sport Design package (carbon fiber inserts up front and along the side sills, plus carbon-fiber fins on the rear diffuser), which is standard in the range-topping Turbo S, becomes optional for the two lower trims.

AMBITIOUS AND INNOVATIVE
Porsche is still one of the first established carmakers to produce a Tesla Model S rival, despite that car nearing its 10th birthday. But instead of just matching the Model S, the Taycan forges a different path, a different vision of the electric car. Still thrilling, but more sustainable.

PORSCHE EXPERIENCE, ELECTRIFIED
Most electric vehicles are quick and fun in a straight line. That’s the nature of their motors. The Taycan is also enjoyable when the lines aren’t straight. Its powertrain differs from every other Porsche, but the Taycan still corners and performs like one of the company’s finest.

The Porsche Taycan comes in 4S, Turbo, and Turbo S trims. As anyone would hope when buying a $100,000-plus luxury sports sedan, even the Taycan 4S is equipped generously, with an adaptive air suspension (with Smartlift, which remembers often-visited locations — like a home driveway — and raises the ride height automatically), active aerodynamics, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated/8-way power-adjustable front seats, partial leather upholstery, and full LED lighting.

The Taycan is tech-rich. A trio of digital displays includes an instrument panel of curved glass. Navigation is also included, along with Apple CarPlay smartphone integration (but no Android Auto), four USB-C ports, wireless charging, satellite radio, and a 150-watt/10-speaker audio system. The battery has an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Standard safety features include lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and front/rear parking sensors.

The Taycan Turbo and Turbo S add a larger battery pack and more power. This is the Performance Battery Plus pack that’s optional in the 4S. The pricier Turbo models also have more standard features, such as full leather upholstery, larger alloy wheels, better-appointed seats, and, in the Taycan Turbo S, rear-wheel steering.

The options list is long and varied. Extras range from ventilated/massaging front seats to a nearly $6,000 Burmester surround-sound system.

Driver assistance options include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring (Porsche calls it Lane Change Assist), a color head-up display, and night vision. A leather-free interior is also available. Anyone seeking a more ear-pleasing experience can choose the Porsche Electric Sport Sound, which amplifies the electric powertrain’s whoosh.

The Porsche Taycan has an all-electric powertrain consisting of two permanent magnetic synchronous (PSM) electric motors running off a lithium-ion battery pack. There’s one motor per axle, so the Taycan has all-wheel drive as standard.

The Taycan 4S uses a 79.2 kWh battery pack. The Turbo, Turbo S, and 4S models with the Performance Battery Pack have a 93.4 kWh module. Maximum range spans from 192 miles to 227. These figures may seem disappointing compared with the Tesla Model S, although Porsche is extremely conservative with its ratings. Probably not so conservative that a Taycan could run as far as a Model S, but enough to solidify the car’s standing as a convincing alternative.

These EPA figures are from 2020, but we expect them to stay the same in 2021.

Dual electric motors (Taycan 4S)
522 horsepower (w/launch control)
472 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 79/80 MPGe
EPA-rated range on a full charge: 199 miles

Dual electric motors (Taycan 4S w/Performance Battery Plus)
563 horsepower (w/launch control)
479 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 68/71 MPGe
EPA-rated range on a full charge: 203 miles

Dual electric motors (Taycan Turbo)
626 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 75/81 MPGe
EPA-rated range on a full charge: 227 miles

Dual electric motors (Taycan Turbo S)
750 horsepower (w/launch control)
774 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 67/68 MPGe
EPA-rated range on a full charge: 192 miles