2020 Porsche Taycan Vs Tesla Model S & Model 3: How Do They Compare?

The specs show precisely which Tesla is the Taycan’s target.

Tesla’s most anticipated contender is finally here. The 2020 Porsche Taycan was not considered as the ultimate “Tesla Killer” because other competitors didn’t try their best to overcome the American EV-maker before. It’s simply because Porsche knows how to build desirable cars. The Taycan is a good example of that, even “despite being electric” as Porsche purists are likely to say. The problem for Porsche is that Tesla models already are desirable… very desirable, in fact. So how does the Taycan compare to Tesla’s sedans, such as the Model S and the Model 3? Let’s see if their technical specifications spill the beans.

A recent study from Cox Automotive shows Tesla has played a major role in helping EVs succeed. The EV brand alone represents half the intention to buy any electric car in the US. But, in terms of pricing, Porsche decided the Taycan will be in a totally different league. Way above the Model S, at least with its first two derivatives: the Turbo and the Turbo S. We’ll get there in a bit.

Let’s check the dimensions first:

It’s impressive to see how the Taycan is close to both Tesla models in size. It’s almost as big as the Model S but has a wheelbase that is only slightly larger than that of the Model 3. Their width is also very similar.

The sporty intentions of the Taycan, on the other hand, are made evident on its wider tracks, larger brake disk sizes, and lower roofline.

The Model S is the one that presents more room for luggage (30 ft³) and a very interesting characteristic: a wider rear track than the front track. The standard is to have it larger at the front of the car, to better cope with mass transferences in braking, for example.

The Taycan also presents an impressive turning circle diameter, even without the assistance of RAS, or Rear Active Steering. Standard on the Taycan Turbo S, RAS provides an even smaller turning radius.

For our performance table, we have put the two versions of the Taycan against all the ones offered by the Tesla Model S and Model 3. Have a look:

Did you see the prices? They are official. And the Taycan is more expensive than we had imagined: $153,310 for the Turbo and $187,610 for the Turbo S. The regular price alone for this last version is 85 percent higher than that of a Tesla Model S Performance.

Let’s put this in other terms: for the price of a Taycan Turbo S, you could buy a Model S Performance, a Model S Long Range and still keep $5,020 in “change”, so to speak. In the face of this Porsche pricing strategy, let’s forget about the “Tesla Killer” stuff. At least for now until rumored entry-level versions of the Taycan appear with pricing expected to start at $86,000 or so.