Is the Porsche Taycan Worth Its High Price Tag? An In-Depth Look at Porsche‘s All-Electric Super Sedan

For performance car enthusiasts, the all-new, all-electric Porsche Taycan represents the future. As Porsche‘s first ever EV, it promises blistering acceleration, Porsche‘s legendary handling, and high-tech interior luxury – all with zero emissions. But does this cutting-edge technology come at too high a price tag? Let‘s take an in-depth look at whether the Taycan is worth its Porsche-level pricing.

Overview: An Instantly Iconic Electric Sports Sedan

The Porsche Taycan turned heads instantly upon its 2019 launch, representing one of the most ambitious and important debuts for the German automaker. As Porsche‘s first shot at a fully electric vehicle, the Taycan needed to live up to the brand‘s impeccable reputation for world-beating sports cars. Priced from $82,700 to $185,000, it‘s far from affordable. But with up to 750 horsepower, 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds, and a refined interior packed with tech, the Taycan has cemented itself as one of the most desirable and capable EVs ever made.

☑ Porsche Electric Sport Sound: While EVs are quiet, Porsche tailored a unique Electric Sport Sound for the Taycan that enhances the driving experience and changes with drive modes. It activates automatically in Sport Plus. This shows that even without a gas engine soundtrack, Porsche still wants to stoke the emotions of driving enthusiasts through carefully crafted auditory feedback.

Blistering Performance: Next-Level Speed & Handling

Make no mistake, the Porsche Taycan offers face-melting acceleration matching the fastest supercars out there. The range-topping Taycan Turbo S rips from 0-60mph in a head-snapping 2.6 seconds thanks to 750 horsepower and launch control. The instant thrust of its permanent magnet synchronous electric motors is simply effortless. According to Car & Driver testing, they actually measured a 0-60mph time of just 2.4 seconds for the Turbo S!

But it‘s not just straight-line speed that impresses. The Taycan handles like a true track-capable Porsche thanks to its innovative chassis and suspension. Features like rear-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, Porsche‘s Dynamic Chassis Control, huge 21-inch wheels, wide rear track width, and a super low center of gravity from the floor-mounted battery all allow the 4,700+ lb Taycan to corner with poise and grip that matches pure-bred sports cars. The Taycan stays astoundingly flat and planted when pushed hard, with immaculate steering feedback giving the driver immense confidence. Make no mistake – this is a proper driver‘s car that excels in all performance disciplines.

Quotes on Taycan‘s Driving Dynamics:

"The Taycan Turbo has supercar acceleration, sports-car handling, and a luxurious interior." – Car & Driver

"It drives like a Porsche, looks like a Porsche, and feels like a Porsche. This is not some compliance car made to appease regulators." – Top Gear

"The Taycan Cross Turismo is shockingly agile for its size. It delivers sports-car-like handling coupled with a ride that remains comfortable." – CNET

Interior & Passenger Experience: Modern Luxury

The Taycan‘s interior is both minimalist and ultra high-tech, representing a major step into the digital age for Porsche. Front and center is a curved 16.8-inch digital instrument cluster with crisp graphics and reconfigurable layouts. The 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen is slick and loaded with features while a second touchscreen handles climate controls. The cabin is spacious thanks to the EV platform, and clever foot garages in the back help rear seat passenger room. Materials like leather, real aluminum, and wood trims exude luxury.

Ride comfort is quite forgiving for a high-performance Porsche, with the standard adaptive air suspension smoothing out rough roads. Cabin noise is very well contained, with minimal wind and tire noise apparent at highway speeds. Reviewers have praised the Taycan‘s sublime interior space as the most refined and beautifully constructed of any EV. The interior is arguably worth the price tag alone.

Reviewer Comments on Porsche Taycan Interior:

"The Taycan‘s clean, minimalist, yet information-rich interior sets a new benchmark for premium EVs." – Wired

"The rear seats haveproper legroom and headroom, although the swooping roofline means it‘s a little trickier to getin and out." – WhatCar

"Few cabins exude such technical sophistication. The Taycan deserves credit for advancingEV technology, interior design, and the driver experience." – Car & Driver

Range and Charging: Blazing Fast Recharge Times

The Taycan offers between 201 to 227 miles of EPA estimated driving range, depending on model. While not groundbreaking, real-world testers have achieved 180 to 230 miles of range in mixed driving. The Turbo S in particular seems to frequently outperform its 201 mile EPA rating in road tests.

But what sets the Taycan apart is its industry-leading 800-volt electrical architecture developed by Porsche engineers. This allows for charging at up to 270kW from compatible DC fast chargers. As InsideEVs discovered, the Taycan can add up to 60 miles of range in just 5 minutes at optimal conditions. Porsche themselves use the "Typical Range" metric to show average charge times on road trips that factor in charger power. The takeaway is that despite lower total range than a Tesla, the Taycan can recharge insanely rapidly for minimal downtime between backroad blasts.

Cost and Depreciation: The Price of High-Tech Luxury

There‘s no getting around the fact that the Porsche Taycan commands premium pricing on par with Lamborghinis. The "entry-level" Taycan 4S opens at $103,800, while the 670hp Turbo starts at $150,900. Flirting with supercar territory, the range-topping 750hp Turbo S comes in at a lofty $185,000. Cost of ownership is also steep due to high insurance, projected depreciation, and charging costs compared to a Tesla. Make no mistake, this is a cutting-edge electric luxury vehicle playing in the same field as six-figure combustion-engined Porsches. The Taycan makes a Tesla Model S feel affordable in comparison.

Depreciation: The Taycan is projected to depreciate 48% over 5 years according to Motor1, versus just 25% for a Tesla Model S. This is a big hit, making leasing attractive for those wanting the latest tech without long-term financial impact.

Overall, the Taycan is a halo product aiming more for the highly profitable end of Porsche‘s lineup, rather than chasing pure sales volume. While no affordable family sedan, its six-figure pricing is justified by its hand-crafted German luxury, leading-edge 800V tech, and stratospheric performance benchmarked against exotic supercars. This is as much a status symbol as it is daily transportation.

Sales Performance: A Successful Flagship Despite High Cost

The Taycan got off to a flying sales start despite its daunting price tag, showing that enough buyers exist for high-end electric Porsches. The company sold 20,000 Taycans in 2020, its first year of production. Porsche then doubled sales to 41,296 in 2021, with Taycan outselling the iconic 911 sports car. Porsche‘s EVs now account for 14% of total sales, spearheaded by the Taycan‘s early success.

However, the Taycan has certainly not matched segment-leading Tesla in sales volume. With nearly 500,000 vehicles delivered globally in 2020, Tesla outsold Porsche‘s entire lineup almost 15 times over. The Model S also remains the top selling luxury electric sedan. But for Porsche‘s purposes, the Taycan was never about chasing sheer volume. It‘s a flagship halo car aimed at elite buyers and to shape Porsche‘s electrified brand image. In that light, its brisk sales yet sustained exclusivity are mission accomplished.

Taycan Sales Milestones:

• Over 80,000 sold globally since launch at end of 2021 according to Porsche

• Sold 20,000 units in 2020, its first year of production

• Doubled Taycan sales to 41,296 vehicles in 2021. Now accounts for 14% of Porsche‘s total volume

• Outsold the 911 in Europe in early 2020 according to Business Insider

The Verdict: A Reward For True Porsche Enthusiasts

The Porsche Taycan is phenomenally quick, handles like a sports car, and offers high-tech interior luxury fit for a futuristic spaceship. As Porsche‘s first all-electric vehicle, it represents a watershed moment for the legendary brand. Make no mistake that this is a serious driver‘s car, not just a fancy eco-electric.

For loyal Porsche buyers seeking electric performance with no compromises, the Taycan delivers. Its stratospheric cost and limited range prevent it from competing with Tesla for overall EV sales dominance. But in the rarified market for six-figure luxury EVs, it‘s a true triumph. Few cars at any price offer this caliber of engineering and exhilarating driving experience. If your budget allows, the Taycan is arguably the most desirable and rewarding electric vehicle on the planet.