Porsche Taycan vs. Tesla Model S: A Head-to-Head Guide
In years past, electric vehicles (EVs) were great at delivering gas-free driving and zero emissions, but they lacked performance and driving range. Today, many EVs have a driving range of 200 miles or more. And with models like the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan offering outstanding performance, the EV is just about ready for the mainstream.
Below we put the Porsche Taycan vs. Tesla Model S so you can make an educated decision between these two performance-focused EVs.
Tesla Model S vs. Porsche Taycan
The Model S is the closest competitor Tesla has to the all-electric Porsche Taycan. Here’s how these models match up to one another.
Exterior Design
The Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S feature sleek exterior designs to help them slice through the air more efficiently. However, the Taycan is a true performance model from a performance and sports car manufacturer. It has a sportier design that includes a 911-inspired sloped nose, vertical front air vents next to the headlights, an air vent just in front of the front doors, and a sleek rear end with a one-piece light bar.
On the other hand, the Tesla Model S has fewer distractions on its body, showing its focus is efficiency and aerodynamics. Simplicity is part of the Tesla Model S‘ charm, and it pulls this off perfectly.
Interior Design
Inside, the Porsche Taycan is a model of the future for automotive interiors — it features the luxury buyers expect from Porsche combined with so much tech. This abundance of technology starts with its generous use of screens in place of physical buttons and gauges.
This Porsche electric car includes a 16.8-inch curved digital instrument cluster with an external screen for lighting and chassis function. It also features a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a passenger-side display, and a display for controlling the heating and air-conditioning system.
The Tesla Model S brings its design simplicity to the interior with its digital gauge cluster and do-it-all 17-inch touchscreen infotainment system that also doubles controls for other systems. However, unlike the Taycan, the Model S has no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility.
The Model S boasts a clean-looking cabin with hidden air vents, a sleek dash, and a yoke-style steering wheel.
In terms of interior utility, these electric sedans are as follows:
Porsche Taycan
Passenger capacity: 4
Standard cargo room: 15.8 cubic feet
Maximum cargo room: 42.8 cubic feet
Tesla Model S
Passenger capacity: 5
Front legroom: 42.4 in.
Rear legroom: 35.5 in.
Front shoulder room: 58.4 in.
Rear shoulder room: 55.1 in.
Standard cargo room: 25 cubic feet
Maximum cargo room: 61.4 cubic feet
Powertrain
The Porsche Taycan comes in four models, each with its own level of performance, starting with the 402-horsepower base Taycan that zips to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.
From there, the lineup goes to the 522-hp Taycan 4S, which features all-wheel drive (AWD) and hits 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Next is the Taycan GTS with 590 hp and AWD combining for a 3.5-second sprint to 60 mph. The Taycan Turbo is the next model up, with 670-hp and a 3-second 0-to-60 time. Finally, the range-topping Porsche Taycan Turbo S delivers 750 hp and a 2.6-second 0-to-60 time.
The Tesla Model S comes in two flavors. In its base setup, the Model S comes with two electric motors, AWD, and a 670-hp powertrain that sprints it to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. The Tesla Model S Plaid has 1,020 hp and tri-motor AWD, which sprints it to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds. This makes it the quickest production car in the world.
Driving Range and Charging
While performance is great in both of these models, many buyers seek an electric vehicle (EV) for its all-electric range (AER).
The Porche Taycan’s base model with the standard Performance battery pack can travel 200 miles on a charge. Upgrade to the Performance Plus battery, and the AER jumps to 225 miles.
Moving into the AWD Taycan 4S drops the base AER with the Performance battery pack to 199 miles, but the Performance Plus battery bumps this back up to 227 miles.
The Taycan Turbo can travel 212 miles on a charge. Upgrading to the range-topping Taycan Turbo S drops the AER to just 201 miles.
The Taycan‘s charging time varies by your power source or charging station and is as follows:
- 120-volt household outlet (0-100%): Over 86 hours
- 240-volt 30-amp outlet (0-100%): 14 hours, 24 minutes
- 240-volt 50-amp outlet (0-100%): 10 hours, 30 minutes
- 50-kW DC Fast Charger (5-80%): 1 hour, 33 minutes
- 150-kW DC Fast Charger (5-80%): 36 minutes
- 350-kW DC Fast Charger (5-80%): 23 minutes
According to the EPA, a new Porsche Taycan will cost you an average of $800 to $950 per year to charge.
Tesla has long been the king of AER, and it continues its dominance in the face of the Taycan with its base model delivering 405 miles of range. Moving into the Plaid model trims this range to 396 miles. If you opt for the 21-inch wheels on the Plain model, the AER drops to just 348 miles.
Tesla lists its charging specs differently, measuring them by miles of range per hour charged. The Tesla Model S‘ charging rates are as follows:
- 120-volt household outlet: 2-3 miles per hour
- 240-volt power outlet: 30 miles per hour
- Tesla Wall Connector: 44 miles per hour
- Tesla’s Supercharger: 200 miles in 15 minutes
The EPA says, on average, a new Tesla Model S will cost $550 to $650 per year to charge.
MSRP
These EVs are far from economy cars, as the Porsche Taycan starts from $82,700 and rises to $185,000 in the Turbo S trim. Fortunately, the Taycan still qualifies for the federal tax credit of up to $7,500 and other state and local EV incentives.
The Model S is equally pricey, ranging from $94,990 to $129,990. Also, the Model S is no longer eligible for the federal tax credit, though it may qualify for state and local incentives.
Which Electric Sedan is Better for Me?
The Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S are great vehicles, but they cater to slightly different audiences. The Taycan is for buyers who want the prestige of driving a Porsche and the sporty look that comes with it, despite falling behind in straight-line performance.
The Taycan is also for those who want a futuristic look and feel, with its forward-looking design, copious screens, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Tesla Model S is best suited for a family that still wants incredible straight-line performance. It boasts a roomy cabin with a large cargo area for hauling luggage and other items.
How to Save Money on a Taycan or Model S
The Porsche Taycan has a few promotional lease offers, starting at $1,049 per month for 36 months after paying $11,549 at signing. There’s also a 36-month lease on the Taycan 4S that runs $1,499 per month with $14,389 due at signing.
The Model S’ 36-month lease runs $1,239 per month with $7,500 due at signing on the base model and $1,749 per month with $7,500 due at signing on the Plaid trim.
You can also search for used versions of each model and save a few thousand dollars. The issue is that buying a used Taycan means you won’t qualify for the federal tax credit, so account that into your potential savings versus new.
As for a used Model S, you’ll find lower prices and trim levels in previous model years, which could save you thousands.
Allow Compare.com to Ease Your Search
Are you searching for the perfect used Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S? Let Compare.com’s used electric car search tool help.
Also, before buying an EV, check out our electric car buyer’s guide for more information on how EVs work, so you approach the decision between the Taycan and Model S with all the information you need.
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