How the 2020 Taycan Stacks Up to the Tesla Model S

Pound for Pound

If it feels like we've been waiting forever for the Taycan to arrive, well, that's because we have. But finally, Porsche has pulled the covers off its first-ever all-electric vehicle. And needless to say, it was well worth the wait. Regardless, the first question on everyone's mind is "how does the Taycan stack up to the incumbent EV champ, the Tesla Model S?" And we've got the answers for you right here.

Photos: Porsche  

Price

Right off the bat, we must note that the Taycan is going to set you back way more than the Model S. There will eventually be a base Taycan, but when the car goes on sale later this year, buyers must choose between a Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S (neither of which actually have a turbocharger).

Photos: Porsche 

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

Pay the Cost

Right now, the Model S Long Range starts out at $79,990, and the Performance model will set you back at least $99,990. The Taycan Turbo, however, will go on sale for $150,900 (plus $1,350 for tax and destination), and the Turbo S will set you back at least a cool $185,000 (plus $2,610 tax and delivery).

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

Justify the Price

So that poses a new question - is the Taycan worth the extra cost over a Model S? First, let's take a look at power and performance. The Turbo model produces 616 hp and 626 lb-ft of torque, with up to 670 hp available with overboost when in launch control. In that guise, it does 0-60 in 3.0-seconds and hits the quarter-mile in 11.1-seconds.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

Big Boost

Step up to the Turbo S, and you get the same base horsepower and torque ratings. But in overboost, the S makes a whopping 750 hp and 774 lb-ft of torque. Despite a hefty curb weight of 5,121 pounds, it blazes to 60 mph in 2.6-seconds and does the quarter-mile in 10.8-seconds.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

Cheaper and Faster

That's impressive, but not quite on the Tesla Model S Performance's level. That model will do 0-60 in a claimed 2.4-seconds in Ludicrous+ mode. At nearly half the price. The Model S Long Range model is slower than all of them to 60, however, taking 3.2-seconds to reach that speed.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

Ranger Topper

So the next question, of course, is range. Porsche claimed earlier this year that the Taycan Turbo had a max range of 450 km on the European WLTP testing cycle. That equates to roughly 279 miles of range here in the U.S. Porsche hasn't yet released any final numbers, however, and once claimed that the Taycan's range would be over 300 miles.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

Falling Short

On the other side, the Tesla Model S Performance has an EPA rating of 345 miles, while the Long Range model will go 370 miles. The Model S has a slightly larger battery than the Taycan as well - 100 kWh versus 93.4 for the Porsche.

Photos: Porsche 

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

Quick Charge

So the Taycan is more expensive, slower, and packs less range than the Model S. Which sounds bad, of course. However, the Taycan features an industry-first 800-volt electrical system that'll charge much, much faster than the Tesla's 400-watt setup, going from 5% to 80% in just 22.5 minutes when charged at 270 kilowatts.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

Quality Matters

Then there's the issue of build quality, which Tesla has experienced issues in recent years with. Not to mention content, features, and luxury options, all of which Porsche does quite well. So stay tuned, because this EV battle of the titans is just getting started!

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about the New Taycan vs the Model S right here in the RennList Forum!

For help with the service of your car, check out the how-to section of RennList.com.