Porsche Taycan 2024 Review – International

The new 2024 Porsche Taycan range will span eight models when it arrives in Australia mid-year, starting at $175,100 plus on-road costs for the entry-level rear-drive ‘Taycan’ sedan and rising to an eye-watering $416,600 plus ORCs for the all-wheel drive Taycan Turbo GT, a new bahn-storming hero car that will be the subject of a separate review coming soon.

There are five Taycan sedans and three Taycan Cross Turismo models in the updated range, the latter continuing the chunky wagon-like shooting brake body style.

The sedans span the Taycan (from $175,100), Taycan 4S ($216,300), Taycan Turbo ($307,500), Taycan Turbo S ($374,200) and Taycan Turbo GT ($416,600).

The wagons comprise the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (from $198,000), Taycan 4S Cross Turismo ($224,000) and Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo ($310,400) grades.

The listed prices represent increases of between $8000 and $15,000 compared to the original Taycan.

Porsche offers a three-year vehicle warranty, one of the shortest on the market, while the eight-year/160,000km battery warranty is closer to most other EVs.

Service intervals occur every two years or 30,000km, and will set you back $5495 over five years/75,000km when serviced at an official Porsche centre.

Mayk Wienkötter, Porsche’s spokesperson at the international launch of the 2024 Porsche Taycan, noted that after four years on the market and 150,000 global sales: “We need to give the vehicle a touch-up.”

That “touch-up” brings higher pricing but more equipment, improved efficiency, more convenience and higher cruising ranges.

Headline upgrades include the fitment of denser, more efficient 97kWh lithium-ion battery pack (105kWh gross), improved infotainment systems now with TV streaming and new-generation Apple CarPlay that allows simultaneous/extended app use.

Standard features are fairly generous but at these prices you’d certainly hope so. Welcome additions include tinted windows, adaptive cruise control and a head-up display, along with multiple digital screens including a large 16.8-inch curved digital instrument panel that still looks great after four years of service.

‘Comfort access’ is part of the package, which makes for seamless vehicle unlocking, entry and vehicle start, while ambient lighting, a parking assistant with surround-view cameras and (Gods be merciful!) a smartphone charger for the first time in a Taycan.

The 15W charger also has a cooling function, which is handy, especially when using wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay while charging, which heats up phones like billy-o.

All models now come with adaptive air suspension as standard, an automatically dimming interior mirror, auto-folding exterior mirrors (with mirror surround lighting) and a new heat pump that powers the climate control system to improve energy efficiency.

There’s also an optional suspension system for AWD models dubbed Porsche Active Ride that made its debut on the recently launched third-generation Porsche Panamera and is a hugely impressive (and expensive!). More on that in the drive section below.

Entry-level Taycan, Taycan 4S and Taycan 4 Cross Turismo get 14-way power-adjustable and heated front seats with memory settings, a heated steering wheel and a Bose surround-sound audio system.

Taycan 4S models and above get soft-close doors and front seat ventilation, while a panoramic glass roof is a no-cost option.

A total of 15 exterior paint colours are offered, starting with black and white that are free on entry-level models. Four ‘shades’ (black, silver, greys) add $2420, ‘dream’ colours (purples, blue, pink, red) add $3870 but are no-cost options on higher-spec models.

However, a trio of ‘legends’ paint jobs cost $7370 each (Oak Green Metallic Neo, Shade Green Metallic, Crayon), whether there’s a Turbo badge on your Taycan or not.

The pre-facelift Porsche Taycan was awarded a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2019, which is expected to carry over to the facelifted model until the six-year expiration date is triggered in 2025.

The standard safety equipment list is reasonably good, comprising eight airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane change and lane keep assist, blind spot warning, attention assist and speed assist.

New HD Matrix headlight technology is optionally available, the slimmer headlight clusters now boasting 32,000 individually controlled pixels, up from 84 pixels. The Porsche Taycan project’s head of energy systems, Sarah Razavi, called them “an incredible leap in [lighting] technology”, with a 400-fold increase in pixels.

Razavi said the HD Matrix lighting system is also three times more efficient than previous iterations, which reduces drain on the battery.

In addition to the fancy-pants high-definition headlight system, there’s a number of other technology highlights on the 2024 Porsche Taycan, including more digital screens than MI5’s security nexus in London.

There are six screens in total, starting with that striking 16.8-inch curved digital instrument panel complete with a handful of capacitive touch buttons (to toggle lights, suspension etc) on its flanks.

The digital epicentre and second display is a central touch-screen, while an optional touch-screen exclusively for the front passenger ($2860) now allows live streaming from Amazon Prime, Disney+ and the likes, which can be viewed when driving because the screen has peripheral blocking to prevent the driver getting a glimpse and becoming distracted.

That said, the lateral masking of the screen is so effective than even sitting directly in front seems to blur the edges. However, once the car is stationary the central display can be used for TV and movie streaming as well.

A fourth digital screen is located under the central display and acts as digital climate control and ancillary control box, while the fifth digital screen is an impressively detailed head-up display.

The sixth screen is another climate-controller for rear seat passengers, which elevates the back seat experience with a nice luxo-tech touch-point. It would be good if it streamed TV and movies like in the latest Tesla products, although you can add another two screens as part of the rear seat entertainment… for $4000.

Other noteworthy tech updates include the ‘Porsche Electric Sport Sound’, which links to the Taycan’s Bose or Burmester sound systems to generate. But don’t get too excited – the audio track is distinctly spaceship-like. Porsche’s audio expert (and yes, it’s just one guy) needs to drive a Hyundai IONIQ 5 N with its gravelly synthesised acoustics, complete with pops and crackles.

The 2024 Porsche Taycan has been pumping ion in the gym and smashing the steroids, both of which have understandably resulted in bigger muscles.

Indeed, a more powerful rear-mounted electric motor elevates power and straight-line performance for all models, which now draw energy from denser battery packs… both of which have fuelled the Taycan’s big price increases.

The headline news is that all models get power increases of between 60kW (base Taycan) and a whopping 140kW (Taycan Turbo S), making them accelerate significantly faster.

The entry-level Taycan sedan is the only model without dual e-motors but the new rear powerplant bangs out an extra 60kW (300kW/410Nm now) and propels the $175K electric sports sedan from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds, down from 5.4sec.

Next up is the Taycan 4S (340kW/695Nm), which dispatches 0-100km/h in 3.7sec, and then come the big bruisers, the oxymoronically named Taycan Turbo (650kW/940Nm) and Turbo S (700kW/1110Nm) that rip from 0-100km in 2.7sec and 2.4sec respectively… with no turbochargers in sight.

Porsche Australia will not import the Sport Turismo wagon Down Under, instead bringing three versions of the Cross Turismo, whose slightly raised ride height is more suited to dirt roads.

The Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (320kW/610Nm) accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.7sec, while 4S Cross Turismo (440kW/710Nm) and Turbo Cross Turismo (650kW/940Nm) models are even quicker at 3.8sec and 2.8sec apiece.

According to Porsche’s technical dossiers, all facelifted Taycan models get a new rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that drives through a two-speed automatic transmission (the front motor is largely unchanged), adding more power while reducing mass by 10kg compared to the previous electromagnetic spinner.

Newly segmented magnets connect using electrically insulating adhesives in the rotor (spinning at unfathomable rpm) that “reduces losses in the magnetic field”, says Porsche.

In tandem with an upgraded pulse inverter and accompanying software, energy efficiency is claimed to be considerably improved.

The base-grade 2024 Porsche Taycan equipped with the performance battery plus (105kWh gross, 97kWh useable) is an eye-watering $12,020 option but can travel up to 678km based on the laboratory-based WLTP measuring scale.

However, Porsche has been crowing about its real-world range record of 587km in the same vehicle, driven in everyday conditions, including long 120km/h freeway sections and some stop-start urban driving in the US.

With the exception of the entry-level model, which comes with an 82kWh (89kWh gross) lithium-ion battery pack as standard, all Taycan models sold in Australia get the bigger performance battery plus with 97kWh.

The lowest range recorded using the WLTP standard is 554km in the Taycan Turbo GT, followed by 597km in the Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo.

Whichever way you care to slice and dice the numbers, it’s clear that Porsche has significantly improved the efficiency and cruising range of the facelifted Taycan.

Recharging the battery takes half as long, according to Porsche, from 37 minutes in the previous model to 18 minutes (from 10 to 80 per cent) using an ultra-fast DC charger. That’s because the vehicles’ 800-volt electrical architecture allows for up to 320kW charging rates, up from 270kW, and for longer periods too.

Hop inside the new 2024 Porsche Taycan and it doesn’t look or feel any different from the previous model. But as soon as you tickle, nudge or fully compress the accelerator pedal it becomes clear that Porsche wasn’t fudging the performance numbers.

We drove two model grades on Spanish roads during the international launch, the Taycan 4S sedan and Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo – and also the top-spec Bugatti-besting Turbo GT on the racetrack (stay tuned for THAT review) – and all of them were exceedingly rapid both from standstill and rolling on at speed.

Indeed, the Taycan 4S sedan with its 340kW and 695Nm accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.7sec and feels every bit a sub-4.0sec vehicle when using launch control. Despite a colossal 2325kg unladen weight, the EV’s new rear motor certainly makes its presence felt, spearing toward the horizon with arresting eagerness.

The Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo is in another ballpark altogether, its colossal 650kW and 940Nm generating enough thrust to match the previous Turbo S models from 0-100km/h, taking just 2.8sec. Engaging launch control pins you into the plush sports seat with casual aggression; it’s utterly smooth yet exceedingly forceful and is a party trick that won’t likely get old.

Big gains have also been made in terms of ride and handling, as all models now come with adaptive air suspension. However, both our test vehicles had Porsche Active Ride (PAR) fitted, which is an expensive ($16,980) but impressive suspension solution.

Combining adaptive air suspension with two-valve active dampers that are controlled by individual motor pump units for each suspended wheel, the system creates “situational force generation” based on a given scenario. In other words, it delivers ultra-rapid suspension stiffness adjustments on the fly to keep the car smooth and comfortable over ratty roads.

It works incredibly well, mitigating rough and uneven surfaces with seamless ease. Even on big 21-inch alloy wheels both Taycan models we tested on the road delivered excellent ride comfort across a range of different surfaces.

In comfort modes, PAR will even adjust vehicle pitch (nose up/down) and roll (flanks up/down) to offset acceleration, braking and cornering g-forces, keeping the vehicle remarkably level most of the time and even ‘leaning’ through corners to ensure occupant contentment.

Another cool trick of the PAR system is the way it lifts the car up 55mm when you open the door from the inside or unlock it from the outside, improving occupant entry and exit. The speed at which it elevates and lowers the car is astonishing – roughly one second.

When you flick a PAR-equipped Taycan to Sport+ mode the clever suspension system employs a different strategy and simply lowers the car and firms it up to deliver conventional feedback to the driver when hacking through corners… and hack they do.

The Taycan is incredibly rapid point to point, sitting unnervingly flat through turns and generating huge amounts of grip as a result. Granted, these EVs are very heavy but the colossal thrust on offer, strong brakes and adaptive suspension make them feel a whole lot lighter than they should.

Factor in rear axle steering and torque vectoring and the way the big German bruisers rotate into corners is quite extraordinary.

Despite being incandescently fast and surprisingly agile, driver engagement is off the pace – compared to a combustion-engined Porsche. In the EV world, the Taycan delivers a largely involving experience, but let’s be honest – the bar is pretty low.

The steering is light and devoid of meaningful feedback and the wishy-washy synthesised electric motor noise adds nothing to the experience. In fact, the Jetsons-like spaceship whine is very videogamey.

The 2024 Porsche Taycan sedan would probably get beat up on anything more challenging than a gravel road given its 127mm of ground clearance.

But the Cross Turismo has a slightly elevated ride height of 148mm – which rises to 178mm in off-road mode thanks to the air suspension – and can cope with dirt roads and even sand dunes.

Check out how carsales conquered one of the largest deserts in Australia in the pre-facelifted Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

The 2024 Porsche Taycan doesn’t feel significantly different to its precursor in terms of interior design, decor and overall layout. That’s not so much a criticism as statement, because the Porsche Taycan has never been a dull place to spend time.

A little sterile, sure. Overly complex? Probably. But the removal of most physical controls from the central console and the button-less design also adds a high-tech, futuristic feel.

Large 14-way power-adjustable ‘comfort’ front seats are standard and suitably comfy, while 18-way power-adjustable ‘sports’ seats add $650 – one of the best-value upgrade options on the list.

Overall passenger room is good, even in the back seat, with ample legroom and reasonable headroom. Amenity isn’t too bad either, with twin USB-C ports in the back, a touch-screen, air vents and so on.

The boot of the big Porsche sedan is good but not great, with 407 litres, while an 84-litre frunk takes total compartmentalised cargo space to 491 litres.

The Cross Turismo models offer around 10 per cent more cargo space – up to 446 litres in the boot plus the same 84-litre frunk, for a 530L total.

There’s another major upside to the wagon body style and that’s the inclusion of folding rear seats, which creates a longer, larger cargo hold of up to 1212L.

The facelifted 2024 Porsche Taycan is a significant improvement on its predecessor, with more equipment, more range and considerably more pace and dexterity.

It’s also more expensive and the Taycan’s somewhat one-dimensional personality – entertaining as opposed to engaging – could be kryptonite to sports cars purists, who may find the snarling Hyundai IONIQ 5 N more exciting than this.

However, given the electric Porsche’s improved everyday driveability doesn’t come at the cost of performance – quite the opposite, in fact – we reckon Porsche afficionados won’t be disappointed with the latest Taycan.

It marks a significant step up from its predecessor in most respects, and while traditionalists are unlikely to be swayed to jump on the EV bandwagon just yet, this is an impressive evolution for Taycan and hints at more innovations to come from Porsche.

2024 Porsche Taycan 4S at a glance:
Price: $216,300 (plus on-road costs)
Available: June 2024
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 340kW/695Nm
Transmission: Two-speed automatic transmission on rear axle motor
Battery: 97kWh lithium-ion
Range: 642km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 17.8kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP 2019)

2024 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo at a glance:
Price: $310,400 (plus on-road costs)
Available: June 2024
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 650kW/940Nm
Transmission: Two-speed automatic transmission on rear axle motor
Battery: 97kWh lithium-ion
Range: 597km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 18.6kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP 2019)