2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo

What’s new?

The Turbo is one of the three trims of the Taycan family. It currently sits between the 4S and Turbo, impressively balancing performance and luxury. This trim debuts a unique two-speed transmission on the rear axle, a rarity in electric vehicles, providing improved acceleration and efficiency.

Its dual-motor powertrain delivers up to 670 horsepower with Launch Control activated, propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.0 seconds. The 83.7-kWh battery supports up to 270-kW DC fast charging and serves up to 201 miles when fully charged, which is not the best in the segment.

It boasts a new interior design with a curved 16.8-inch digital instrument cluster and up to three touchscreens. The exterior showcases a fresh interpretation of Porsche’s design DNA, blending classic sports car proportions with modern, aerodynamic elements for a drag coefficient of just 0.22.

Blistering acceleration from two motors, but the range could be better

The Porsche Taycan Turbo’s electric powertrain consists of dual high-performance e-motors, one fitted on each axle. The motors are mated to a two-speed automatic transmission, equipped on the rear axle, distributing outputs on four wheels. With Launch Control activated those two motors combine to generate 670 horsepower and 626 pound-feet of torque. The result is 0-60 mph in just 3.0 seconds and a quarter-mile in 11.1 seconds. The top speed is rated at 161 mph.

Since German luxury brands often understate performance numbers, we expect this trim to shave the 0-60 and quarter-mile time by around 0.2 seconds, which is faster in reality. However, these numbers are nothing in front of the 778-horsepower Tesla Model S Performance, which gets to sixty in 2.4 seconds, just as fast as the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.

Battery capacity and range are other major weaknesses of the Taycan, as seen from a Grand Tourer perspective. It uses an 83.7-kWh battery to present a maximum range of 201 miles. In comparison, the Tesla Model S employs a larger battery that promises 348 miles on a full charge.

While its range is significantly less than that of the Model S, Porsche equips the battery with an 800-volt architecture, which gives the battery up to 270-kW DC fast charging capabilities. Such charging speeds recharge the cells from five to 80 percent in 22.5 minutes and add around 62 miles of range in five minutes.

Certainly the most modern-looking Porsche to date

The all-new Taycan electric sedan is an all-new breed from the Stuttgart-based luxury marque, showcasing a distinctive design that marks Porsche’s futuristic design philosophy. Its exterior design is very different from the heritage-inspired designs of Porsche, yet the low, wide stance and sculpted body panels leave no doubt about it being a Porsche. The Taycan Turbo carries more aggressive design cues to justify its performance potential.

The front fascia features distinctive four-point LED headlights and large air intakes, emphasizing the car’s electric nature while maintaining a sporty appearance. Buyers can also upgrade the standard LED headlights with PDLS+ Matrix LED headlamps, which not only optimizes illumination but adds a unique look to the fascia. The rear exterior remains equally aggressive, with sharp LED taillamps flowing seamlessly from one side to the other to exhibit elegance.

One of the Taycan Turbo’s notable exterior features is its active aerodynamics system. The adaptive rear spoiler and cooling air intakes work in tandem to optimize efficiency and performance, contributing to an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.22. This aerodynamic efficiency not only enhances range but also helps maintain stability at high speeds. While it contributes to the clean, streamlined appearance, many enthusiasts may consider the overall design too contemporary for a brand like Porsche.

This trim rides on standard 20-inch Turbo Aero wheels, which look cool and focus on improving aerodynamics for better efficiency. Optional 21-inch Mission E, RS Spyder, Exclusive Design, and Carbon Fiber Aeroblade wheels are available for those seeking a meaner look. It’s also worth noting that these wheels improve the handling, but the larger diameter reduces the range and translates to a stiffer ride quality.

As for dimensions, it rides on a 114.2-inch wheelbase, shorter than the Model S Performance’s 116.5-inch wheelbase. The shorter wheelbase translates to sharp handling but stiffer ride quality. The Porsche is also smaller, which makes it easier to live with.

Impeccable material quality meets sporty design, modern tech, and creature comforts

Porsche is known for producing cars that cling to heritage rather than modern design, but the Taycan, being its first all-electric offering, chose to go contrary to exhibit a modern demeanor. Inside, the Taycan Turbo features a contemporary cabin that looks and feels like a thoroughbred German luxury car. Its dashboard is flooded with screens, and the horizontal free-flowing design adds a sense of spaciousness. Buyers can choose among aluminum, carbon fiber, or Paldao inlays based on their tastes.

Unlike the Tesla Model S Performance, which seats five passengers as standard, the Taycan Turbo seats four with a 2+2 layout. While this setup focuses on space, Porsche demands $480 for a three-seater rear row, which should have been a no-cost option considering it already costs 150 grand. A leather interior is standard, but you can opt for Race-Tex leather seats for no extra cost. Club leather seats start at $2,450 to provide a richer touch.

The cockpit is planted with two 14-way power-adjustable seats with memory and heating. Rear occupants get a fair share of comfort via standard heated seats. If you need a comfort upgrade, there are optional ventilated front seats with massage. Rear seat space is adequate for adults, though taller passengers may find headroom limited due to the sloping roofline.

The cockpit is ruled by an array of screens. A curved 16.8-inch digital instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel to display all necessary information. A 10.9-inch touchscreen at the center caters to infotainment, while an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the center console houses AC, drive mode, and other essential controls. An optional 10.9-inch touchscreen promises infotainment for the front passenger.

Although the abundance of touchscreens adds a modern touch to the cabin, the absence of physical controls makes essential functions hard to access. While that’s a common thing among EVs, most buyers will complain about the complicated climate control system unless they are techies.

The touchscreens are installed with a PCM interface, offering amenities like Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, voice assist, and Wi-Fi. Like other models, you don’t get Android Auto here, which could have been a good upgrade. Buyers will love the standard Bose 14-speaker surround audio system for their crisp quality and bass. However, if you need an upgrade, there is a Burmester 21-speaker 3D audio system for $5,810.

Interior feature highlights

• 14-way power front seats with heating and memory

• Heated rear seats

• 18-way adaptive sports seats with memory (no cost)

• Race-Tex leather seats (no cost)

• 16.8-inch curved digital cluster

• Bose 14-speaker surround audio system

• Club leather seats - $2,450

• Ventilated front seats - $850

• Front seats with ventilation and massage - $2,000

• 10.9-inch touchscreen and 8.4-inch climate display

• 10.9-inch front passenger touchscreen - $1,310

• Burmester 21-speaker 3D audio system - $5,810

Weighs as much as a full-size pickup truck but impresses with sharp handling

Surely, the Taycan Turbo can’t match the numbers of the Tesla Model S Performance, but Tesla simply can’t match the handling and driving prowess of the Porsche. The Taycan Turbo’s advanced chassis technology ensures that it handles like a true Porsche, delivering a thrilling driving experience to satisfy enthusiasts.

Its adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) continuously adjusts damping force based on driving conditions and selected modes, balancing comfort and agility. Ride quality stays firm because of the sport-tuned adaptive dampers, but it’s not harsh. The Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) adds active roll stabilization to keep the sedan flat and composed through corners. An optional rear-axle steering system improves low-speed maneuverability and stability at high speeds, making it feel nimble while taking sharp maneuvers or corners.

In fact, this sedan weighs 5,123 pounds, being as heavy as a full-size pickup truck. But the 49/51 front-rear weight distribution, performance adaptive dampers, PDCC, and rear-axle steering combine to deliver a unique driving experience.

For reliable stopping power, this e-performance sedan comes standard with Porsche’s Surface Coated Brakes. Its wheels are paired with 16.1-inch front and 14.3-inch rear tungsten carbide-coated ventilated discs, supported by six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. The standard brakes are very responsive and come with brakeforce regeneration to convert kinetic energy to electric and charge the battery. However, it’s more sensitive than most EVs.

Buyers seeking more stopping power can opt for the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes at $5,580 to $6,480, depending on the caliper colors. These brakes use larger discs and 10-piston front calipers to deliver a stronger bite to stop the car faster. 20-inch Taycan Turbo Aero wheels are standard, but buyers can opt for 21-inch wheels to improve handling, but it will cause the range to drop and stiffer ride quality, which we hardly recommend.

What safety features are there?

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS have tested Porsche’s first all-electric car due to its high pricing. Tesla didn’t test its Model S sedan either, which is a common norm in the luxury car arena.

Porsche packs the Taycan’s Turbo trim with some essential driver assist features. Its standard features include Lane-Keeping Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition, cruise control with adaptive speed limiter, and warning and brake assist. For safer parking, it comes with front and rear park assist. However, premium functions like adaptive cruise control and surround-view camera are optional.

Tesla, on the other hand, offers these features as part of its standard list and equips its car with its cutting-edge Auto Pilot autonomous driving technology, staying ahead when it comes to safety.

Options

• Night Vision Assist - $2,420

• Lane Change Assist - $950

• Surround View Camera - $1,200

• Adaptive Cruise Control - $2,050

• Porsche InnoDrive with Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Keep - $3,610

Reliability and warranty

Reliability

Porsche is one of the most reliable luxury car companies, sitting at the fourth spot among 32 carmakers in J.D. Power’s 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study. However, its Taycan electric sedan is anything but reliable, especially for the 2020 model year.

The 2020 Taycan had nine recalls from NHTSA, most of which were related to braking system problems and wiring issues. The Turbo model specifically had four problems which include short circuit chances, power outlet issues and seatbelt warning failures.

Upon searching the internet, we also found that the 2020 model year is the most problematic to date. This sedan mainly suffers from electrical system malfunctions and powertrain problems. Issues related to steering, driver assistance features, and wiring are other concerns.

If you have come across a brilliant deal in the used car market and are perplexed about your buying decisions, we have a separate article to guide you through the pros and cons of a used Taycan.

Warranty

This electric luxury performance sedan packs a four-year or 50,000-mile basic warranty. The electric powertrain includes an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty. But there is no complimentary maintenance included.

Warranty highlights

• Four years or 50,000 miles basic warranty

• Eight years or 100,000 miles powertrain warranty

• Four years or 50,000 miles of roadside assistance

• 12 years or unlimited miles perforation and corrosion warranty

Competition

2020 Tesla Model S Performance

The 2020 Tesla Model S Performance is presently the only competitor to the new Porsche Taycan Turbo. The Model S costs $91,990, making it $58,910 cheaper than its rival. It stays ahead with a 778-horsepower dual-motor system to deliver 0-60 mph in 2.4 seconds and a quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds. It also offers a top speed of 168 mph, staying ahead of the Porsche in overall performance.

Tesla truly shines in its range, boasting an EPA-estimated 348 miles on a single charge, significantly outpacing the Taycan Turbo’s 201-mile range. However, Porsche’s 800-volt architecture allows for faster charging times, potentially offsetting the range difference for some buyers.

Exterior styling is a matter of personal preference, but the Taycan’s design is sportier and more aligned with traditional automotive aesthetics. The Model S, while sleek, retains a more understated appearance that we find less exciting. The Taycan offers a more driver-focused cockpit with multiple screens and a more traditional luxury car feel. On the other hand, the Model S features a minimalist interior dominated by a large central touchscreen, which some find futuristic while others may find too polarizing.

Tesla’s Autopilot system is one of the most capable on the market, though Porsche’s InnoDrive system offers decent functionality. Tesla packs its car with more standard driver assistance technology, some of which are optional in the former. The Model S also provides up to 26.3 cubic feet of standard and 58.1 cubic feet maximum cargo space, betting the Porsche’s 19.2 cubic feet of rear cargo space.

Conclusion: The Taycan Turbo Is A better buy than the Turbo S and the Tesla Model S?

The 2020 Taycan Turbo marks a significant milestone in Porsche’s history, offering an impressive blend of performance and cutting-edge electric technology. It’s roughly $36,000 cheaper than the flagship Turbo S variant but offers decent performance for occasional track sessions and high-spirited driving. However, its limited range and lesser practicality can deter buyers from looking for a cheaper and more practical alternative.

While cheaper, the Tesla Model S Performance offers a better range and faster performance, making it a compelling alternative. However, the Taycan Turbo’s superior build quality, more engaging driving dynamics, and Porsche’s heritage may sway enthusiasts.

For those seeking a daily driver that doubles as a weekend track toy, the Porsche fits the bill admirably. If you are fixated on the Taycan Turbo but question its practicality, it’s worth checking out the 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo e-wagon.

FAQs

How much does the 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo cost?

The 2020 Porsche Taycan starts at $150,900, without freight charges, options, packages, or dealer markups. It sits between the 4S and Turbo S trim and is the best alternative to the Tesla Model S Performance, albeit with some compromises.

How does the 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo differ from the 4S and Turbo S trim?

The Taycan 4S is the entry-level model, costing $103,800, while the Turbo S is the flagship, priced at $185,000. The 4S features a smaller battery pack and less powerful dual-motor setup. The Turbo S sits above the Turbo, offering even more performance with up to 750 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque, allowing for a 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds. The Turbo includes more creature comforts and technology and looks sportier inside and out.

What powers the 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo?

The Taycan Turbo features dual permanent magnet synchronous motors, one on each axle, providing all-wheel drive. Combined, they produce up to 670 horsepower and 626 pound-feet of torque with Launch Control. It takes 3.0 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph and offers a top speed of 161 mph. The 93.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivers an EPA-estimated range of 201 miles on a single charge.

How does the 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo compare against the Tesla Model S Performance?

The Tesla Model S Performance costs $91,990, $58,910 cheaper than the Porsche. Despite being more affordable, it packs a 778-horsepower electric powertrain, pushing the sedan to 60 mph in just 2.4 seconds, and its top speed maxes at 168 mph. The Model S provides many advantages over the Taycan Turbo. It packs a larger battery to present 348 miles of range, includes more standard safety technologies, and lends more cargo space. On the other hand, the Taycan Turbo includes faster charging speeds, better material quality, massage seats, larger touchscreens, and more modern audio systems.

What are the interior features of the 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo?

The Taycan Turbo’s futuristic interior features up to four touchscreens, including a curved 16.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a central 10.9-inch infotainment display. Other highlights include 18-way power-adjustable front sports seats, heated and ventilated front seats with massage, heated rear seats, Club leather upholstery, and a Burmester 3D audio set.