Porsche has come up with a few relatively controversial models in the past two decades, including its very first SUV, the Cayenne, and the Panamera, the first front-engined Porsche since the departure of the legendary 928. The 2021 Porsche Taycan joins that list but is way, way more special. As Porsche's first fully electric car, the Taycan will go down in the history books regardless of how good it is, which is amazing, just by the way. With up to 522 horsepower available from its electric motors, a beautiful design, and impressive road holding one year on, Porsche's first EV is now a fully respected member of the family.
In 2020, there was only one entry-level Taycan model available, as we reviewed the Turbo and Turbo S models separately. The 2021 Porsche Taycan EV lineup now consists of two models, with a new rear-wheel-drive base model slipping in below the existing 4S. The 4S now comes as standard with a less powerful 79.2 kWh battery, but the 93.4 kWh battery is still part of the lineup. The base Taycan is also available with the same battery options. While the 4S with the smaller battery has a lower output, the price has been dropped. The first-gen US range now consists of the Taycan, Taycan with Performance Battery, Taycan 4S, and the Taycan 4S with the Performance Battery.
Porsche also made some improvements to the charging system to preserve the battery's lifespan, while Plug & Charge will make processing payments at Electrify America charging points more convenient. A color head-up display is now available, a few color and trim options have been added, and SiriusXM 360L is now offered. Finally, over-the-air software updates now allow owners to purchase features without a dealer visit.
See trim levels and configurations:
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
A car of this historical importance will always experience added scrutiny not only from journalists but from Porsche fans, too. As Porsche's first-ever EV, the Taycan has managed to win the majority of Porsche fans over, and one year later, it is doing better than ever.
The main reason for this is that it's not just a gimmick; this all-electric performance car looks great, drives beautifully, and is seriously luxurious. Yes, it might not be as quick as its Californian rival, the Tesla Model S, but it outshines it in the handling department, as well as in overall refinement. The 2021 Taycan EV is not perfect, however: rear leg space is on the tight side for a 4-door, its range could be more impressive, and its options are expensive. There is also no official safety rating review of the 2021 Porsche Taycan from either the NHTSA or IIHS. But as a first attempt, Porsche has nailed the brief, and we expect the Taycan sedan to only get better with age.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Porsche Taycan: