Hi there! You‘re likely cross-shopping two of the top all-electric sedans on the market today – the veteran Tesla Model S versus the new kid Porsche Taycan. Both vehicles have claimed their share of headlines for pushing the boundaries of EV capabilities.
But specs on paper can only reveal so much about living with these high-tech machines daily. As an EV analyst who has studied them inside and out, I‘m going to comprehensively compare these flagship sedans across all the metrics you care about most as a prospective owner. Things like real-world performance, charging logistics, interior space, technology features, and even long term value considerations.
By the end, the data should indicate which premium 4-door EV better fits your lifestyle and budget. Let‘s dive in!
At a Glance Profiles
First, here’s a snapshot overview of each contender:
Porsche Taycan – As Porsche’s first ever fully electric vehicle, the Taycan debuted in 2019 to universal praise from critics who applauded its impeccable driving dynamics. The low-slung sports sedan positions itself as the world’s premier EV performance model thanks to expert weight distribution and handling. With up to 750 horsepower on tap, the $90K+ Taycan Turbo S satisfies drivers craving visceral acceleration too.
Tesla Model S – The original luxury EV flagship, Tesla’s beloved Model S first wowed back in 2012 with up to 300 miles of range and a 17” touchscreen. Continuous updates keep it feeling fresh, including the latest Plaid model, which boasts 1,100+ hp allowing a 2.3 second 0-60 mph sprint. With seating for 5 or 7 and prices spanning $105K to $140K, theModel S practically invented the concept of an electric family sport sedan.
Performance and Driving: Precision Porsche or Raw Tesla Power?
Performance-minded drivers usually prioritize excitement, agility, and speed above all else. By those measuring sticks, both the Taycan and Model S deliver legitimate thrills behind the wheel. Let‘s analyze the critical performance differences:
Acceleration and Power
| Spec | Porsche Taycan Turbo S | Tesla Model S Plaid |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 750 | 1,020 |
| 0-60 mph time | 2.6 sec | 1.99 sec |
The updated tri-motor Model S Plaid clearly boasts very impressive straight-line power and acceleration figures. 1,020 horsepower and a sub-2 second 0-60 mph sprint establish potent electric performance credentials to rival exotic supercars. However, the Taycan still packs a powerful punch with 750 eager ponies enabling it to hit 60 just 0.61 seconds behind the Tesla. Either way, both deliver legitimate supercar quickness right off the line!
Handling and Steering
- Taycan handling wins acclaim for incredible balance and responsiveness
- Rear-wheel drive architecture key for agility advantage
- Model S exhibits more body roll and understeer
- Precision Porsche steering always adjusts to driver intent
While Tesla‘s Ludicrous mode acceleration wows in a straight line, most reviewers agree the Porsche steals the show when apex hugging on twisty roads. The Taycan‘s lower center of gravity, rear-bias weight distribution, and adaptive air suspension unite to deliver stellar high performance handling dynamics reminiscent of Porsche‘s legendary 911 sports car. Lightning quick reflexes translating every steering wheel input into immediate vehicle reactions ultimately provide Taycan drivers with a much more engaging experience overall according to testing.
Ride Comfort
- Air suspension smooths out bumps
- Model S offers the plusher ride
- Both handle long distances with ease
Make no mistake – neither sedan rides like traditional cushy luxury flagships. You’ll feel bumps and road imperfections more sharply as a tradeoff for nimble reflexes. However, adaptive air suspension does take the harsher sting out of broken pavement and potholes in both EVs. Among the two, the Tesla slightly edges the Porsche for ride quality comfort according to reviewers. Yet moderate ride firmness comes with the territory given their performance intentions, and both make agreeable long distance cruisers.
Range and Charging: Tesla Still Leads the Pack
Sweaty palms and range anxiety used to go hand in hand with EV ownership. But continually improving batteries keep extending practical single charge driving distances with each new model year. When it comes to maxing out miles between plugging in, the Tesla Model S still benchmarks the luxury EV segment:
Max Driving Range
| Model | Range | Miles More Than Taycan |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Tesla Model S | 405 miles | +173 miles |
| 2023 Porsche Taycan 4S | 232 miles | — |
Note the nearly 200 mile advantage the upgraded Model S enjoys over even the longest range Taycan variant in EPA testing. That‘s a monumental difference resulting in far less time spent searching out charging stations for Tesla owners. Porsche definitely made range a lower priority here given typical owner driving patterns. But there’s no denying the Model S grants much more freedom before recharging becomes necessary.
Fast Charging Speed
- Both add ~200 miles in 15 minutes at max rate
- Taycan edges Tesla slightly on max charging kW
- Tesla Supercharger network far larger and more reliable
When it comes time to replenish electrons, the Porsche and Tesla once again end up very closely matched on charging speeds. Thanks to cutting-edge 800-volt electrical architecture, the Taycan can swallow energy from ultra-fast 270kW EV chargers just a bit quicker than the Model S in optimized conditions. Both require very specific charger types and ambient temperatures to achieve their headline times too.
Ultimately, real world charging times end up nearly identical at around 15 minutes for each ~200 miles of added range. However, Tesla’s vast proprietary global Supercharger network makes locating fast, open chargers considerably easier for Model S drivers. Porsche must rely on inconsistent third-party networks like Electrify America offering spotty reliability by comparison. The peace of mind Tesla’s charging infrastructure provides shouldn’t be overlooked.
Design and Interiors: Luxury Fittings vs. Minimalism
For six-figure luxury flagships, style and interior accommodations also weigh heavily into purchase considerations. Do you prioritize opulent fittings and material quality like fine leathers? Or perhaps a radical high-tech minimalist lounge suited for the iPhone generation piques your interest? The Taycan and Model S inhabit opposite ends of the luxury spectrum inside.
External Styling
- Taycan – Dramatic, sculpted, unmistakably Porsche
- Model S – More conservative shape but very aerodynamic
You won‘t confuse the two on the road thanks to Porsche‘s trademark rounded headlights, bulging fenders, and teardrop roofline. The Taycan definitely makes a much louder styling statement evocative of the brand‘s past sports cars. Tesla‘s gradual styling evolution results in a more generic, traditional sedan silhouette likely to age well over time. But the smooth flowing lines still cheat the wind effectively.
Interiors Fit and Finish
- Taycan – Bespoke luxury like a handcrafted designer home
- Model S – Sci-fi spaceship minimalism
The moment you settle into the comprehensively upholstered Porsche cabin, touches like hand-stitched leather and solid metal trims impress immediately. Every surface sports custom detailing and premium textures befitting a fine luxury house. Tesla pivots instead for an almost clinical, stark vibe highlighting its enormous 17-inch touchscreen as the centerpiece. Materials consist more of durable plastics than natural woods and metals. It‘s a radical departure either way sure to polarize buyers.
For chauffeured passengers, the Taycan‘s wonderfully executed rear seats mimic the quality of high-end SUVs rather than sedans. Rear legroom does fall behind the Model S slightly given its battery placement, but build quality differences are hard to overlook for Porsche faithful.
Technology and Safety: Tesla’s Showcase
When it comes to gadgets, software and electronic wizardry, Tesla has made waves for steadily adding functionality via over-the-air updates. Porsche took a more cautious approach implementing tech features for the Taycan. How do the two stack up?
Central Touchscreens
- Taycan – Intuitive 16.8" touch panel with Apple CarPlay
- Model S – Enormous 17" display controls nearly all functions
While essentially the same size, the presentations differ dramatically. Porsche surrounds its curved screen with physical buttons for oft-used controls like volume while including a standard gauge cluster to display speed. Tesla‘s iPad-sized panel consolidates almost everything from opening the glovebox to adjusting suspension height into one highly customizable interface. There‘s no question the spartan Model S interior provides more screen real estate to swipe through.
Advanced Driver Assistance
- Both offer basic safety features like automated emergency braking
- Tesla Autopilot enables more hands-free highway driving
When it comes to self-driving capabilities, Tesla‘s huge fleet allows it to continuously improve its Autopilot and Full Self Driving packages aimed at automated driving. However, truly autonomous vehicle technology remains years away despite bold claims. For now, Super Cruise and BlueCruise rival advanced driver assistance systems offer comparable functionality to Autopilot focused on light steering assist and speed control versus full automation.
Over-the-Air Updates
- Tesla leads industry in remote updates capability
- Bi-weekly software improvements become seamless
- Porsche less aggressive adopting upgrade model
Perhaps Tesla‘s greatest long term advantage lies in its industry-leading over-the-air software update network. Every two weeks, Model S owners wake up to fresh features and functionality enhancements downloaded remotely. The Porsche lacks this continuous upgrade pipeline for now. Seamless software refreshes cement Tesla‘s reputation as the iPhone on wheels.
Cost of Ownership: Porsche Premium Pricing
Sticker prices invariably sway buying decisions, especially for big ticket luxury products. In this arena, Tesla‘s cost structure holds major pricing advantages stemming from its direct sales model and proprietary technology. Have a look:
Base Prices
| Model | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2023 Porsche Taycan | $90,000 |
| 2023 Tesla Model S Plaid | $135,990 |
Porsche positions the Taycan as a six-figure super luxury proposition before any additional options enter the equation. Of course with Porsche, buyers tend to tack on $10K-$20K in extras ranging from larger wheels to carbon fiber trim bits. In contrast, the fully loaded Tesla Model S Plaid still rings up $50K cheaper in base form. Big price gaps for similar performance always influence purchase decisions.
Resale Value Retention
- Model S holds value very well so far
- Taycan too new to predict reliably
- Porsche brand historically very resilient
Forecasting longer term used EV pricing still proves tricky for analysts like me given the technology‘s relative infancy. Based on early data, the Model S looks on track to hold its value better than most other EVs. Whether that continues as battery replacement costs loom down the road is unclear. This is where Porsche‘s unmatched brand cachet should preserve resale pricing somewhat regardless of age. People pay incredible premiums for old 911 coupes and that loyalty seems likely to benefit the Taycan as well.
The Verdict: Choose Porsche Performance or Tesla Tech
Let‘s recap the main differences between the Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S uncovered by our comparisons:
- Model S offers superior highway range and fast charging infrastructure
- Taycan sharpens steering, handling and cornering for Porsche DNA
- Tesla leads technology integration with over-the-air updates
- Porsche perfects premium interior details and construction
- Model S pricing significantly undercuts the high-end Porsche
For EV early adopters and self-driving futureshock types enamored by gamechanging innovation, the Tesla Model S delivers intriguing next-generation advantages. Its emphasis on maximizing miles between plugging in and bringing high-tech advancements to market first should resonate given your priorities.
But buyers focused strictly on driver engagement, chassis balance and visceral performance will discover the Porsche Taycan as the more satisfying EV flagship. That signature precision handing dialed in over decades of sports car development manifests itself the moment twisting roads appear. And the exquisite interior trim rivaling Bentley and bespoke couture leave no question you‘ve acquired a rare luxury artifact rather than mere transportation. Yes, the Taycan‘s lofty pricing reflects unhealthy Porsche premiums, however its cachet holds future collectability upside.
If I had to park only one in my fantasy garage, the Porsche‘s intoxicating driving experience ultimately wins out. But having studied both extensively, you really can‘t make a poor choice here. Please reach out with any other questions still lingering!
