Porsche and Tesla represent two of the most respected automotive brands when it comes to high-performance vehicles. In recent years, both companies have invested heavily in electric vehicle (EV) technology, releasing all-electric flagships touted as the pinnacle of luxury and speed.
The Porsche Taycan debuted in 2019 as Porsche‘s first all-electric sports car, while Tesla‘s Model S has defined the premium EV segment since its launch in 2012. These two sedans compete directly in the premium EV category, blending blistering acceleration with cutting-edge tech and refinement.
Read on as we compare every aspect of the Porsche Taycan versus the Tesla Model S – from price and performance to range, styling and overall ownership experience. By the end, you‘ll have all the key facts to decide which of these EV titans is right for you.
Porsche and Tesla: EV Pioneers with Storied Histories
Porsche traces its roots back to 1931 when Ferdinand Porsche left Mercedes-Benz to launch his own engineering firm. In the decades that followed, Porsche cemented itself as a maker of sports cars without peer, introducing all-time greats like the 911 along with race-bred thorougbreds that dominated circuits worldwide.
The company has traditionally resisted electric drivetrains. But with EV technology advancing and tightening emissions regulations, Porsche committed fully to electrification in 2015. The Taycan was the result – a ground-up EV design that met Porsche‘s exacting performance standards.
Tesla‘s origin story is more recent but no less remarkable. The company was founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, who recruited Elon Musk as an early investor. Tesla‘s masterstroke was recognizing EVs not as glorified golf carts, but as vehicles capable of outperforming internal combustion counterparts.
The original 2008 Roadster convertible set the template for EVs that were quick, long-ranging and desirable. After the Model S sedan launched in 2012, Tesla proved EVs could handle practical family transportation duties without compromise.
Now, both brands aim to push EV capabilities even further with the Taycan and Model S. Let‘s see how they compare.
Porsche Taycan Overview
The Porsche Taycan debuted for 2020 as a four-door sports sedan with an all-electric powertrain.
Key Porsche Taycan specs and features:
- 800-volt electrical architecture enables rapid charging
- Multiple battery and motor configurations
- 402 hp to 750 hp depending on model
- 0-60 mph in as little as 2.6 seconds
- Electrifying yet familiar Porsche driving dynamics
- High-end interior with digital displays and luxury materials
- Prices range from $86,700 to $190,000
Porsche offers the Taycan in both low-slung sedan and lifted Cross Turismo wagon variants. Ten different models constitute the Taycan range, covering stepwise performance levels to suit various budgets.
Even entry-level Taycans boast sports car acceleration figures and handling. And being a Porsche, the Taycan wraps its staggering performance in leather-lined opulence and everyday practicality.
Tesla Model S Overview
After redefining electric mobility in the 2010s, Tesla gave the Model S a major refresh for 2021. Updates encompassed revised exterior styling, an overhauled interior and bleeding-edge performance.
Key Tesla Model S specs and features:
- Choice of Dual Motor or Triple Motor "Plaid" powertrains
- Up to 1,020 hp and 0-60 mph in 1.99 seconds (Plaid)
- 405 mile maximum driving range
- 17-inch center touchscreen with advanced software
- Wireless device charging and connectivity
- 25 cubic feet of cargo room behind rear seats
- $94,990 starting MSRP
Tesla continues advancing EV capabilities with the latest Model S. A revised suspension and chassis boost handling precision to properly exploit the prodigious performance. Inside, the minimalist yet tech-rich cabin provides a lounge-like atmosphere.
Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S: Interior and Exterior Styling
The Taycan and Model S take decidedly different approaches to interior and exterior design. Which styling philosophy you prefer likely depends on your brand affinities coming into your buying decision.
Exterior styling – Taycan: Unmistakably Porsche, the Taycan wears gently curved bodywork with a neatly tapered roofline and pronounced haunches above the rear wheels. Squint, and it could pass for the next-generation Panamera sedan.
Signature elements like the front light bar and side intakes tie the Taycan visually to the broader Porsche lineup. Altogether, an elegant yet athletic shape fitting of the Porsche badge.
Exterior styling – Model S: Tesla revamped the Model S for 2021 with a smooth, rounded nose section and tapered rear roof pillar. Compared to its forebear, the new Model S looks less awkward and more cohesive.
Still, with its squat greenhouse and ample proportions, Model S styling prioritizes function over flair. You won‘t mistake it for anything other than a Tesla. Whether that‘s a good thing comes down to taste.
Interior styling – Taycan: Step inside the Taycan, and it‘s clear you‘ve entered a Porsche. An aircraft-inspired dashboard houses reconfigurable digital displays with haptic touch feedback for a slick, high-tech feel.
The rest of the cabin is a showcase for hand-selected materials – miles of leather, brushed metals and open-pore wood inlays. It‘s also spacious, offering plenty of room to get comfortable.
Interior styling – Model S: In signature Tesla fashion, the Model S cabin practices the minimalist ethos. A steering wheel and sizable 17-inch touch display command your attention; everything else fades into the background.
Many surfaces feature synthetic leather or textured fabrics rather than genuine hides. And without elaborate stitching or intricate shapes, the Model S prioritizes function over bespoke luxury.
Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S: Performance and Driving Experience
As high-powered EVs, swift acceleration and corner-carving agility are non-negotiables for both German sedans. But while the numbers might suggest they‘re evenly matched, the Taycan and Model S feel worlds apart out on the road.
Acceleration and power: Exact acceleration times depend on the model, but both the Taycan and Model S serve up sports car-like thrust. The Taycan Turbo S dispatches 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds; the Model S Plaid is two-tenths quicker at 1.99 seconds to 60 mph.
But importantly, Taycan acceleration feels more accessible and effortless versus the Model S. Plant your right foot, and the Taycan unleashes instant surge after instant surge. The Model S requires more patience through an elongated build-up before hitting its strapping top-end.
Handling and cornering: Through corners, the Taycan handles with all the poise and precision expected of a Porsche. Quick steering allows placing the Taycan precisely, while its hunkered-down stance pays dividends when changing direction at speed.
No slouch itself, the Tesla Model S delivers sports sedan levels of grip when hustling down a winding road. But steering and chassis can‘t match the Taycan‘s cohesion and feel, especially at the limit. The Model S prefers straight-line theatrics.
Ride comfort: Given its performance billing, the Taycan smoothes out road impacts remarkably well. Credit its adaptive air suspension and relatively modest 21-inch wheels. Set to Range or Normal mode, the low-slung Porsche makes for a superb grand tourer.
With 21-inch or 22-inch wheels, the Model S tends to fidget over broken tarmac even with adaptive damping onboard. Blame its mass and firm tuning. On glass-smooth highways, however, the Tesla makes long hauls feel effortless.
Daily driving: Around town, the Taycan‘s initial throttle response makes threading gaps in traffic feel intuitive. Smooth power delivery and 360-degree cameras also instill confidence maneuvering in tight spaces despite its proportions. Just watch the curbed wheels.
Thanks to bountiful torque from rest, the Tesla Model S accelerates briskly off the line when the light goes green. One-pedal driving available via regenerative braking eases low-speed operation. Although its dimensions still warrant extra care when parking.
Range and Charging Comparison
For EVs, real-world driving range sits high in priority among prospective owners. In this regard, the Tesla Model S notably outruns the Porsche alternative.
Taycan range: Depending on model, the 93 kWh Performance Battery in most Taycans deliver an EPA-rated range between 208 and 227 miles per charge. Opting for the 83 kWh Performance Battery drops those figures by about 30 miles across variants.
Model S range: Today‘s Model S ships with a 100 kWh battery pack integrated into the chassis for optimum weight distribution. In its most efficient configuration, the dual-motor Model S earns an EPA range of 405 miles from its 100 kWh battery. The performance Model S Plaid sees that figure dip slightly to 396 miles.
Recharging and infrastructure: Both EVs recharge quickly given appropriate hardware. Under optimal conditions at a 270 kW fast charger, the Taycan adds 60 miles of range in under 5 minutes. The Model S can accumulate some 200 miles in 15 minutes at Tesla Superchargers.
Tesla boasts a much larger fast charging network compared to other automakers, with over 40,000 Superchargers worldwide. That translates to easier long-distance travel for Model S owners. Porsche relies on the Electrify America network to enable cross-country Taycan journeys.
Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S: Passenger and Cargo Space
Let‘s move to the practicalities. Being high performance sedans, neither vehicle prioritizes people or payload hauling. But credit Tesla with designing more versatility into the Model S over the Taycan.
Passenger room: Both sedans house four passengers comfortably or five passengers in a pinch. Still, dimensions and layout affect relative spaciousness. The Tesla‘s flat cabin floor and airy greenhouse supply stretch-out space for all. Taycan rear seats sit tighter, making long trips less breezy.
Cargo capacity: Thanks to its dedicated EV platform allowing a full-length hatchback, the Model S handily out-cargoes the Taycan. There‘s over 36 cubic feet of available cargo room behind the Model S‘s rear seats – enough for several large suitcases plus carry-on bags.
The Porsche offers a modest 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space as standard. Folding the rear seats opens up 42.8 cubic feet total, but large items still fit awkwardly. Better leave the bulky gear at home if driving a Taycan.
Cost of Ownership: Prices, Taxes, Insurance
For most shoppers, out-the-door transaction prices and ongoing ownership costs prove more significant than raw performance stats. Here‘s how costs stack up between the Tesla and the Porsche.
Base prices: The Model S carries a starting manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $94,990. Opting for the high-zoot 1,020 hp Model S Plaid bumps the MSRP to $114,990 before extras.
At the other end of the spectrum, the entry-level Taycan kicks off at $86,700 MSRP. But most Taycan models retail above the base Model S, with the loaded Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo claiming an MSRP of $188,960.
Tax credits and incentives: Buyers now get no federal tax credits for Tesla or Porsche EVs under inflation reduction act rules. At the state level, incentives for both still apply in places like California.
Insurance costs: With high-performance EVs costing well into six figures, insurance represents a considerable expense. According to quotes, annual premiums range from $4,000 to $6,000 for mid-to-high coverage limits on both vehicles.
Maintenance: Neither Tesla nor Porsche prescribes regular maintenance for items like oil changes or brake fluid flushes since EVs lack those consumable components. However, Porsche offers pricier extended maintenance packages to supplement the 4-year/50,000-mile basic coverage.
Charging costs: Exact public charging expenses vary by station provider and region. But generally, Supercharging a Model S to its full range costs around $60, while a full Taycan recharge runs about $75 under Electrify America‘s billing structure.
Verdict: Which High-Performance EV Is Right For You?
The Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S both reside at the pinnacle of electric vehicle advancement. Choosing between the two largely boils down to:
What‘s more important – an engrossing driving experience or maximum range and Supercharger access?
If your answer points to driving thrills, the Taycan proves the more satisfying EV to own. Acceleration fixes arrive in sharp, head-snapping doses whenever your right foot asks. Equally as impressive is how the Taycan handles – with the precision and feedback of a proper sports car rather than a 5,000-pound sedan.
Of course, that authentic Porsche experience commands a premium. And models with the performance to rival a Model S Plaid cost serious money. Not to mention the Taycan falls short on EV range benchmarks.
Alternatively, if you rack up yearly miles and road trip often, the Tesla Model S warrants closer consideration. Access to Tesla‘s industry-leading Supercharger network makes long distances disappear, while still serving up supercar acceleration metrics. Tech perks like over-the-air updates and gaming round out the Model S ownership experience.
In either case, drivers who value performance and innovation win by going electric. Whether you pick the Model S or Taycan, blindingly quick, emissions-free transportation wrapped in cutting-edge technology proves the future has already arrived for EV early adopters. The choice comes down to where your priorities lie as a discerning driver.
