Quick Comparison: Tesla Model S vs 2020 Porsche Taycan

author: Manish Kharinta   

The highly anticipated luxury electric Porsche Taycan offically debuted this week. The fully-electric Taycan will rival the likes of Tesla Model S, which since its introduction has remained unrivaled in the luxury electric market. 

As a pioneering force, Tesla benefited by cornering the niche segment of upscale performance electric cars and other automakers could not easily catch up to Tesla's nearly decade long lead.

With the introduction of 2020 Taycan, we are looking at a new contender taking on Models S for the title of the segment leader. For this quick comparison, we will be pitting the more economically priced Taycan Turbo against the top of the line Tesla Model S Performance. 

The offerings were judged on a "3P" rubric which will includes the three basic categories of "Price", "Performance" and "Panache." The latter covers the overall appeal of the two cars.

Price

Tesla managed to gain popularity by competitively pricing its luxury electric vehicles in their respective segments, as was the case for Model S Performance, which is priced at $99,900. 

Porsche on the other hand seems to be taking a completely different approach to pricing. The Taycan Turbo and Turbo S models that debuted this week are priced at $150,900 and $185,000 respectively. 

It is worth noting that more affordable Taycan variants are expected to join the lineup sometime later this year and with prices starting around $85,000.

Performance

The electric powertrain of the Tesla Model S Performance produces 605 horsepower with 687 lb-ft of peak torque. The power figures of 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo are only modestly superior.

That 2020 Taycan Turbo produces 617 horsepower of power which is only 12 ponies more than the power output of Model S. However, Porsche's Taycan produces 627 lb-ft of torque which is about ten percent less than the Model S Performance.

Understandably, the Model S is also faster than Taycan with a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 2.4 seconds. The Taycan can reach 60 mph is in just under 3 seconds.

Panache

Aesthetics are always subjective, but it is quite evident that Porsche's offering has more style to it than Tesla Model S. 

Tesla Model S Performance with its 367 miles of range can cover more distance than the 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo, which has a 280-mile range. However, based on the public's reaction to the Taycan, one would probably prefer arriving in it over the Model S.

This does not mean one should automatically pick the Taycan Turbo over Model S Performance. The Taycan's attractive bodywork is not enough to compensate for the overwhelming difference between the price and performance figures of the two electric sedans. 

However, we are looking forward to seeing how the tables turn when the entry-level Taycan joins the car's lineup.

Manish Kharinta

Manish Kharinta is a automotive writer based in the Los Angeles area. He has worked for automotive industry websites TheSmokingClutch.com, CarDekho.com and CarBikeindia.com. His experience ranges from covering auto shows, to car reviews and breaking automotive news. Manish aims to bring forth his unique perspective on automotive design and technological innovations in the automotive industry.