2020 Porsche 911 Carrera Review: Still The Sports Car King
How do you improve on perfection? For Porsche, we almost wouldn't mind if the next two generations of the 911 were unchanged, since nobody - literally nobody - else builds luxury sports cars like them. Yet Porsche is so committed to extracting every last tiny incremental improvement possible from its rear-engined sports car that every new model is marginally better than the last one and infinitely better than the competition. Behold, the latest mutation in the Porsche 911 lineage: the 2020 Carrera. Still powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter boxer engine, the new 911 boasts up to 443 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, with regular models sending output to the rear wheels in classic fashion and those with a '4' on the rear fascia splitting thrust among all four corners. With evolution comes an increase in price, but with a starting point nigh on $100,000, is the Porsche still worthy of our praise, or is it getting too expensive to justify?
What's the Price of the 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera?
The 2020 911 Carrera starts at a base price of $97,400, excluding a $1,350 delivery, processing, and handling fee. The all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 starts at $104,700. Next up in the range is the Carrera S, with more power and an asking price of $113,300. The top model in the range is the Carrera 4S, and this retails for $120,600. Fully loaded with options, we used Porsche's online configurator to build a 4S that cost over $220,000.
2020 911 Carrera Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
177.9 in | 96.5 in | 51.1 in | 72.9 in | 62.7 in | 61.2 in | 3,354.0 lbs |
2020 911 Carrera Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
While each 911 gets incrementally better and better, the differences are not so slight so as to be unnoticeable. Larger wheels accompany tires that run at slightly lower pressures and combine with new Bilstein TDX shocks, increasing comfort while stiffer chassis components further improve the already outstanding handling characteristics of the 911. A wider front track and a quicker steering ratio improve turn-in, while rear brake discs that are 0.8 inches larger improve stopping power. Altogether, the end result is Carrera S that laps the Nurburgring's Nordschleife circuit around five seconds quicker than the previous model could.
The improvements to the new 911 have not been limited only to performance, however. A new Wet mode makes use of acoustic sensors in the front wheel wells. These detect water flung up by the tires, and when the level of spray is high enough, a warning is triggered on the dash that recommends Wet mode be activated. In this mode, numerous driving characteristics are changed, including throttle response, braking, and stability control mapping. The idea is not to go faster in wet weather, but rather for the experience to be safer - a useful idea particularly in a rear-engined sports car with a top speed north of 180 mph.
2020 911 Carrera Interior
2020 911 Carrera Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 1 Years / 10,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera A Good car?
Despite an increase in cost, the 911 is still one of, if not the best sports cars on the planet. It remains on the cutting edge of dynamic ability for a four-wheel machine, and with numerous advancements for the 2020 model, the new 911 is faster, feels better on the limit, is safer, and has a phenomenal interior that can rival anything the Italians or other German brands can throw at it. The poise and balance of the car, along with its tremendous throttle response, sweet-shifting transmission, and that brilliant engine all combine beautifully to create the perfect sports car recipe that sometimes there are not enough adjectives to describe. With pricing now as close to the $100k mark as ever, it may be difficult to justify buying this car, but with a stunning interior and numerous improvements over the 2019 model, the money is worth it. Just drive one and you'll see exactly what we're on about.
What Porsche 911 Carrera Model Should I Buy?
While the non-S variants are brilliant sports cars with more than enough acceleration and top-end ability for most, we still love the feel of a manual Porsche. To get this, you need an S. As good as the all-wheel-drive system in the 4S is, unless slippery roads are a common feature of your daily commute, we think the lighter and more nimble Carrera S is a lot more fun. We'd definitely spend a little extra on the Premium Package for its advanced safety features that include adaptive cruise control and ventilated front seats, as well as a 12-speaker Bose sound system. While the possibilities are almost endless, this should be enough for daily use and fun driving, making the 911 a great all-rounder with lots of driver engagement and more than enough luxury.
2020 Porsche 911 Carrera Comparisons
2020 Porsche 911 Carrera vs Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche Cayman, when it was first announced, was viewed by some purists as a marketing gimmick. Although increased sales through a more affordable Porsche product was definitely the end goal, the engineering and attention to detail put into this mid-engined sports car were right up there with the best of them. As it's evolved, the Cayman has become something of a performance bargain and is no longer looked down on quite so much. With a base price of $57,500 versus the 911's $97,400, those who own the original Porsche sports car will still look down on Cayman buyers, especially since it comes with a 2.0-liter four-pot in base form. Nevertheless, the two-seater offers more storage space, with a combined volume between the front and the back storage compartments of 15 cubic feet. As a Porsche model, it handles beautifully and offers accessible performance too. Even so, if we could afford it, we'd rather have the OG.
2020 Porsche 911 Carrera vs Audi R8 Coupe
Although more expensive in base form at $169,900, the Audi R8 is similarly priced when you compare it to a full-specced Carrera 4S. Powered by a 5.2-liter V10 coupled to a quattro all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed S tronic transmission, the R8 develops 562 hp in base form. Along with a similarly hi-tech interior and upmarket premium materials, the R8 is just as impractical as the 911, albeit with two fewer seats. Capable of a top speed of at least 201 mph, the R8 is a genuine supercar. Although it lacks the delicate poise and razor-sharp handling of the 911, it's a much more dramatically-styled vehicle and is sure to turn more heads than the Porsche. However, the Porsche is more engaging and is ultimately the car that purists may prefer. For sheer drama, the R8 is better, but as a scalpel of driving ability, the 911 is untouchable.