The Porsche Taycan is one of the most exciting electric vehicles on the market today. As Porsche‘s first fully-electric vehicle, it had big expectations to live up to – and by all accounts, it has delivered. The Taycan offers blistering performance, exceptional handling, cutting-edge tech, and trademark Porsche luxury and refinement. But in the increasingly competitive EV market, why should you choose the Taycan over rivals like the Tesla Model S, Lucid Air, Mercedes EQS, or Audi e-tron GT? Here are the top reasons the Porsche Taycan should be at the very top of your EV shopping list.
Unrivaled Performance and Driving Dynamics
Porsche has built its brand on world-class performance and the Taycan very much delivers on that promise. Even the "base" Taycan can rocket from 0-60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. Opt for the Turbo S model and that drops to an organ-rearranging 2.6 seconds – faster than a Tesla Model S Long Range (3.1s) and nearly on par with the $139,000 Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance (2.5s).
But straight line speed is only part of the equation. Where the Taycan really shines is in the curves, with precise steering, excellent body control, and an athleticism that belies its nearly 5,000 pound weight. Porsche has leveraged its decades of chassis tuning expertise to make the Taycan one of the best-handling EVs you can buy. It exhibits a poise and eagerness to change direction that the Model S and EQS can‘t quite match. The e-tron GT comes closest, which isn‘t surprising given its Taycan-derived underpinnings. But the Porsche still has the edge, especially the GTS, Turbo and Turbo S models with their standard all-wheel steering, torque vectoring, and adaptive air suspension.
The Taycan‘s two-speed transmission on the rear axle also gives it an advantage, with a low first gear for explosive launches and a taller second for efficiency and top speed. Lucid uses a similar setup in the Air, but Tesla, Mercedes and Audi make do with single-speed units. In addition, the Taycan‘s 800-volt electrical architecture allows it to take full advantage of the latest 350 kW DC fast chargers, replenishing the battery from 5 to 80% in just 22.5 minutes – quicker than any of its rivals.
Porsche Luxury and Refinement
While brands like Tesla focus more on technology and minimalism, Porsche understands that luxury is about more than just big screens and self-driving gimmicks. Step into the Taycan and you‘re greeted by the kind of premium materials, impeccable build quality, and attention to detail that Porsche is renowned for. Everything from the stitching on the leather seats to the feel of the switches has an aspirational, finely-crafted quality.
The Taycan‘s interior can be customized to your exact taste, with multiple leather options, contrasting stitching, carbon or wood trim, and even matching floor mats and seat belts. Prefer something more eco-friendly? The leather-free Race-Tex microfiber upholstery looks and feels great. Other nice touches include the optional passenger display, 4-zone automatic climate control, and massaging seats with 18-way power adjustment. Even the "frunk" under the hood is lined with carpet.
In contrast, the Tesla Model S‘ cabin, while spacious and airy, can feel a bit plain and sterile in comparison. The yoke-style steering wheel and lack of physical controls aren‘t to everyone‘s taste either. The Lucid Air‘s interior comes closest to matching the Taycan‘s sense of occasion, with rich materials, an elegant design, and plenty of wow-factor features like the 34-inch curved glass cockpit and reclining rear seats. But Lucid is a new company and only time will tell if it can deliver Porsche levels of quality and reliability at scale.
The EQS, being a Mercedes flagship, certainly isn‘t lacking for luxury. Its "hyperscreen" dashboard is a marvel of technology and the back seats feel like a first-class airline suite. However, the overall design, while thoroughly modern, feels a bit more staid and understated compared to the Taycan. Some may find the EQS almost too isolating.
Versatility and Everyday Usability
While its low-slung proportions and sleek silhouette suggest otherwise, the Taycan is a surprisingly practical car. The rear luggage compartment can swallow up to 14.3 cubic feet of cargo and there‘s an additional 2.8 cubic feet in the frunk. Fold down the back seats and total cargo volume expands to nearly 43 cubic feet – enough for a couple of suitcases or even larger items like bicycles or golf clubs.
The back seat itself is reasonably spacious for a car in this class. There‘s plenty of headroom despite the sloping roofline and legroom is decent, though taller adults may find it a bit tight on long journeys. The middle seat is really only suitable for kids. Still, as a daily driver, grand tourer, or even a family car, the Taycan is more than up to the job.
The Model S is the packager champ here, with a massive hatchback opening and spacious, airy cabin that can seat up to 5 adults in relative comfort. Even with the seats up, there‘s 26 cubic feet of cargo space. The Lucid Air is also very spacious, with over 32 cubic feet combined between the frunk and trunk. The Mercedes EQS has a huge back seat but a relatively small trunk, while the e-tron GT‘s cargo hold is slightly larger than the Taycan‘s.
In terms of range, the Taycan‘s 225 to 246 miles (depending on configuration) is respectable but lags behind the competition, all of which can exceed 300 miles on a charge. The Model S is the range king with up to 405 miles, followed by the Lucid Air at 406-520 miles. The EQS can travel up to 350 miles while the e-tron GT is good for 238. For most people, 200+ miles is plenty for daily driving duties. But if maximum range is a priority, the Taycan falls a bit short.
Technology and Safety
As Porsche‘s flagship EV, the Taycan is loaded with cutting-edge tech. The centerpiece is the gorgeous 16.8-inch curved digital instrument cluster, which can display everything from a full-width map to night vision assist. There‘s also a 10.9-inch central touchscreen for infotainment and an 8.4-inch panel for climate controls. A head-up display and 14-speaker Bose audio system are optional. Over-the-air software updates keep things current.
On the safety front, the Taycan comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, parking sensors, and more. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, surround view cameras, and even remote parking are optional.
The Model S was a pioneer in bringing smartphone-like interfaces and over-the-air updates to the automotive space. Its 17-inch central touchscreen still impresses and there are strong driver assists like Autopilot and Full-Self Driving. However, build quality and reliability don‘t seem up to Porsche standards.
The Lucid Air‘s 34-inch "Glass Cockpit" looks amazing in photos and its driver assists seem capable, but its DreamDrive Pro system is still very much in beta and the user interface occasionally lags. The Mercedes EQS arguably sets the bar for in-car tech, with a dazzling 56-inch Hyperscreen, sharp graphics, and one of the best voice assistants in the business. Its driver assists are also polished and confidence-inspiring.
The Prestige of the Porsche Brand
Finally, it has to be said – there‘s just something special about owning a Porsche. The brand has cultivated an enviable reputation for engineering excellence, racing heritage, and premium design that its rivals can‘t quite match. Driving a Porsche makes a statement and the Taycan is no exception. It has serious curbside appeal and feels special each time you walk up to it or get behind the wheel.
That brand cachet translates to the ownership experience as well. Porsche dealerships consistently rank among the top for customer service and its salespeople are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. You also get access to exclusive Porsche events and driving experiences. While Tesla has built a strong community around its brand, it doesn‘t have the same decades-long heritage and its direct sales model means the retail experience is more variable.
Mercedes and Audi certainly aren‘t lacking for prestige either, but their EV efforts feel a bit more tentative so far – more like compliance cars than brand halos. The EQS and e-tron GT are impressive in their own right but don‘t have the same "must have" buzz as the Taycan. Lucid is the wild card – it‘s a clean-sheet EV startup with solid financing and real technological chops. The Air looks and feels special but only time will tell if Lucid can establish the kind of reputation and brand loyalty that Porsche enjoys.
Conclusion
The electric vehicle market is heating up and there are some fantastic options out there for luxury/performance EV buyers. The Tesla Model S, Lucid Air, Mercedes EQS, and Audi e-tron GT all excel in various areas and are worth cross-shopping. But for the discerning buyer who wants it all – blistering acceleration, world-class handling, premium luxury, cutting-edge tech, and an unrivaled ownership experience – the Porsche Taycan is tough to beat. It perfectly translates Porsche‘s DNA into the electric age and sets a new standard for what an EV can be. If you can look past the steep price tag (and relatively modest range), the Taycan is one of the most desirable EVs on sale today. Get one while you can – there are already waitlists forming at many Porsche dealers. The future of performance is electric and it‘s already here in the form of the Porsche Taycan.
