Name: Porsche Taycan (2019 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Porsche Taycan
Rating: 74

Summary

The Porsche Taycan was launched in 2019 as the first production full electric vehicle from the upmarket German brand, and to great acclaim – many reviewers dubbed it a true threat to the standard-bearing performance EVs from Tesla and it sold 20,000 in its first year.

The Taycan was initially offered as a four-door saloon, offered in several versions all focused on high performance – the slowest version passes 62mph from rest in just 5.4 seconds, the fastest in under three seconds. Two estate versions, called the Cross Turismo and Sport Turismo, joined the range in early 2022.

Entry-level is a rear-wheel-drive model with 326hp or 380hp depending on whether the standard 79kWh or larger 93kWh battery is fitted. The 4S adds a second electric motor to the front axle and comes in 435hp and 490hp versions, while the Turbo and Turbo S variants get the larger battery and more power – both offer 625hp but the Turbo S enjoys the greatest uprate, to 761hp, from an overboost function available on all models.

The Taycan has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the automotive media. Top Gear dubbed the car “a proper Porsche – massively fast, great to drive and practical enough to use every day,” while Auto Express said it “could well be the finest and most complete electric car we’ve ever driven.”

While most reviewers highlight the Taycan’s performance, it also earns praise for ride quality and interior space. It scores highly on practicality too, larger-battery versions of the entry-level model going close to 300 miles between charges and even the Turbo S achieving over 200 miles. And it’s fitted with 270kW charging capacity which when plugged into a suitable charger can replenish 80% capacity in around 20 minutes.

As of January 2024, the Porsche Taycan holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 74%. It earns top marks for its media reviews and zero tailpipe emissions, although its safety rating is now only average and its running costs are high. Also note that we don’t currently have reliability data on the Taycan, so check back again soon.

Taycan highlights

Plenty of battery range for most owners
Turbo S models are massively fast
Surprisingly good ride quality
Practical for four adults and some luggage

Taycan lowlights

Lots of options that should really be standard
Top spec cars are very pricey
Weight affects overall handling
Shallow windows affect visibility

Key specifications

Body style: Large saloon
Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £79,200 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Spring 2022
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan is arguably the most desirable electric car on the planet.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 4S 2021
Score: 9 / 10
“This 4S is the most affordable version of the Porsche Taycan EV – and it’s the best yet. That’s because it still offers superb performance and genuinely engaging handling, yet it mixes this with a great blend of ride comfort and refinement.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 4WD
Score: 9 / 10
“The rear-drive Taycan’s lower price makes it even more appealing than the more expensive editions, since it never feels anything but plenty quick enough for British roads anyway, and the beautiful cabin quality remains.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 4S
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s rare to drive a car that feels truly revolutionary, but that is exactly what the Porsche Taycan is – a vehicle that shows how much fun a plug-in future can be.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Turbo S
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Porsche Taycan could well be the finest and most complete electric cars we’ve ever driven.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Sport Turismo estate range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Sport Turismo estate is perhaps the best version of the Porsche Taycan yet, with sleek looks, all the performance of the saloon and a tad more practicality.” (Dan Trent)
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Rather than electrify an existing SUV, saloon or coupe the Porsche Taycan is something new in its own right – a four-door, all-electric sports car that radically reinterprets Porsche’s values for the electric age. Stylish, fast, fabulous to drive and hugely desirable, it’s the EV to be seen in.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: GTS Sport Turismo
Score: 9 / 10
“This is a compelling version of the world’s best EV, albeit, as with any Taycan, at a price – and it’s a bit rum to be charged £210 more for a public-charger cable or the same again for power-folding door mirrors. At a push, I would still prefer the 80kg-lighter rear-driven car, too, but the general Porsche Taycan appeal is as strong here as ever.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan remains the defining electric car of its age for interested drivers. It has outstanding dynamic appeal and involvement, which a direct rival has yet to even approach let alone surpass.”
Read review

Model reviewed: RWD 2021
Score: 10 / 10
“Porsche Taycan is the most enjoyable EV on sale.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 4S
Score: 10 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan 4S finds itself in an enviable sweet spot. And if you’re in the market for a fast, practical and talented electric sports car, it remains the smart choice by quite a margin.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Turbo S
Score: 9 / 10
“I think this handsome thing is the world’s best electric car.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Taycan Turbo S
Score: 10 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is an incredible technical achievement. It does the things we all enjoy about driving – accelerating, braking, going around corners – with supreme alacrity, and features a massive well of capability largely untapped by normal driving.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Taycan Sport Turismo
Score: 10 / 10
“We’ve already heaped praise on the Porsche Taycan, and the Sport Turismo delivers everything the four-door does plus a little more. Despite looking as good if not better, the boost in practicality is much more than just a slight bump in boot space.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Much more than merely a great electric car or even a great car, the Taycan 4S is a great Porsche. And the Tesla Model S might claim to drive itself, but even the entry-level Porsche Taycan instead entices you to drive it. There’s always adaptive cruise for the boring roads.” (Ben Miller)
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan is a fully electric four-seater saloon that’s great to drive, has a smart interior and supports ultra-fast charging.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Taycan Sport Turismo
Score: 9 / 10
“With plenty of performance through all the models, the mid-level GTS is the sweet spot of the Sport Turismo line-up.” (Mat Watson)
Read review

Daily Mirror+

Model reviewed: Four-door saloon
Score: 10 / 10
“This least expensive Porsche Taycan is the best one to drive.”
Read review

Discover EV+

Model reviewed: Turbo
Score: 8 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan sets a new benchmark for electric vehicles in terms of the level of driver interaction it offers; it’s also stylish, fast and hugely desirable – the EV to be seen in if you’re a keeping up with the Joneses type.”
Read review

Driving Electric+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“With a long range, savage performance and arguably the best handling of any four-door coupe – electric or otherwise – the Porsche Taycan is a landmark car.” (Richard Ingram)
Read review

Model reviewed: Taycan Sport Turismo
Score: 9 / 10
“The third Taycan bodystyle does away with the off-road pretensions of the Cross Turismo and is available with the full range of the model’s powertrains.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: Taycan Sport Turismo
Score: 9 / 10
“The Taycan GTS is the best EV yet in both saloon and Sport Turismo forms. The numbers are still big, but Porsche has gone some way to cracking electric performance car enigma.”
Read review

Score: 8 / 10
“The Taycan steers better, accelerates harder and is built better than the competition, but its weight ultimately undoes its claim as a sports car.”
Read review

Score: 7 / 10
“The promise of adding rear-drive thrills to the Taycan’s already formidable dynamic repertoire falls rather flat in reality.”
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Honest John+

Score: 8 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan is creating shockwaves in the electric car world. It’s phenomenally good to drive, has a superb interior and is practical enough to use as your main family car.”
Read review

Move Electric+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“If you want an electric car that delivers an exceptional driving experience then the Porsche Taycan is unequivocally the car to go for. Its beguiling performance, tech-laden interior and solid range figures make it one of the finest electric cars you can buy.” (Sam Phillips)
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Taycan Sport Turismo
Score: 9 / 10
“Whichever Taycan you pick, you’ll have a high-quality interior with easy-to-use infotainment and rapid charging capabilities. Its range isn’t as great as some rivals such as the Tesla Model S and Ford Mustang Mach-E, but the optional higher capacity battery will give most versions a range of over 300 miles after a range of updates in early 2022.”
Read review

The Intercooler+

Model reviewed: 4S
“If ever you were going to be swayed by an electric car, at least of those made to date, the Porsche Taycan 4S surely is it. Like the Taycan Turbo, its ride and refinement are sublime, but its steering is sharper still. It is no less easy to live with, but its feel is a little more that of a Porsche.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: RWD
Score: 10 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan RWD has a purity that will appeal to keen drivers.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Taycan Sport Turismo
Score: 8 / 10
“The Taycan Sport Turismo handles as beautifully as it looks, but we’re not convinced it sufficiently outperforms the Cross Turismo.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Stuttgart’s first EV is a proper Porsche – massively fast, great to drive, quick to charge and practical enough to use every day.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 4S
“And the brakes are terrific, even though you’re actually seldom using the discs because this car summons so much force from regeneration alone.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Taycan Sport Turismo
Score: 10 / 10
“Combining the Porsche Taycan Coupe’s driving qualities with the added practicality of the Cross Turismo, the Sport Turismo should be a well-rounded package. The slightly bigger boot, roomier rear seats and greater visibility have barely compromised the performance, and we suspect the 4S will give the best balance of price and pace when it arrives.” (Steve Huntingford)
Read review

Model reviewed: GTS saloon
Score: 10 / 10
“The Porsche Taycan GTS is a very appealing package, thanks to its additional pace over the 4S, along with its slightly more aggressive styling and the fact that it comes with some desirable extra kit. And it’s currently the Taycan that covers the most miles on a charge.”
Read review

Score: 10 / 10
“If you’re looking for all the usual electric car benefits but want real driving pleasure, the Porsche Taycan is the car for you.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 85%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 73%

Notes on safety
The Porsche Taycan gained a top five-star rating when tested by Euro NCAP in 2019. It scored maximum points in the side-barrier impact test and its standard-fit autonomous emergency braking performed well in low-speed situations which cause many whiplash injuries. However, it did not receive points for this as the front seats showed marginal whiplash protection in a rear-end collision.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2024, the Porsche Taycan has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Taycan is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Porsche Taycan to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Taycan, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Electrical efficiency	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	2.7 m/KWh	E	2.3 – 2.9 m/KWh	E – E

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	48	D	50 –	F – A

We don’t have a complete data set of running costs for the Porsche Taycan, but the information we do have suggests that the Porsche Taycan will be one of the more expensive cars to run. This is unlikely to be a surprise to anyone who is in the position to afford to buy or lease a Taycan.

Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for petrol and diesel cars) is poor, while insurance groups are high. Cobined with what will presumably be eye-watering service bills from your local Porsche garage, and it adds up to a pricey car to run – although it’s still likely to be quite a bit cheaper than a petrol-powered Porsche.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Porsche Taycan has received

2023

EcoCar Electrified Top 50 – Best Electric Sports Car
What Car? EV Awards – Best Used Electric Performance Car

2022

EV Fleet World Awards – Best EV Executive Car

2021

The Car Expert Awards – Large Car Class Champion + Performance Car Class Champion, electric
Carbuyer Awards – Best Large Company Car
DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Electric Luxury Car
Electrifying.com Awards – Best Performance Car
Fleet World Awards – Best EV Executive Car
What Car? EV Awards – Best Electric Performance Car