The German automaker’s new all-electric sports sedan has some of the most sophisticated engineering in EV vehicles.

The Tesla Model S is no longer the only electric performance sedan in town. Here’s a look at how it stacks up against the 2020 Porsche Taycan. The Porsche Taycan is here, and it’s so hot the price is increasing higher than the SRP. Tesla has owned the performance side of the electric car segment for a long time now but some new players have stepped into the field to give Tesla a run for their money. Much of that can be attributed to there not being any competition, but with the Taycan’s reveal, things are changing quickly. Tesla will always be the first to really enter the market with real success in EV vehicles. Up until this point, nobody had an electric car that could go head-to-head with the Model S. We had to compare it with gasoline-powered cars or electric crossovers. Now we meet performance with electric and elegance.

How Does Performance Compare Between Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S

From a numbers standpoint, the Tesla Model S vs Porsche Taycan Turbo S Performance is close. Tesla has not disclosed its exact figures, but Tesla S does slightly outmatch the Taycan in performance and definitely price. Porsche says that the figures we’re looking at here are the power it makes in “over-boost” function on the Turbo S. The Taycan Turbo and Turbo S both make 616 horsepower when you’re not using the over-boost function. We imagine Tesla’s figures are also from some sort of “over-boost” function, as the spec sheet says it’s the “maximum net power” and “maximum torque.”

I guess if you are purchasing for performance does 0.2 seconds really matter. The 0-60 mph time on the Tesla is 0.2 seconds quicker than the time quoted for the Turbo S. The Taycan and the Tesla Model S both use dual motors for maximum performance. The dual motors are in the front and back for all-wheel drive. This “longevity” claim is something we’ll examine upon getting in the Taycan’s driver’s seat. Porsche also has a bunch of great performance add-ons like rear-wheel steering, PCCB (ceramic composite brakes), an electronic limited-slip differential and a trick two-speed transmission for the rear axle.

The powertrain called for a similar compromise between efficiency and ferocity, resulting in Porsche’s development of an industry-first two-speed gearbox. Manufactured in-house, it’s attached to the rear motor only and provides for both brisk low-end acceleration and a higher top-end, at 161 mph, while still being efficient when it needs to be, for highway cruising and the like. The powertrain is also optimized for high regenerative braking. Porsche managed to achieve 265 watts of recuperative power generation under braking, even counting for the losses from the wheel to the battery. As a result, Porsche claims that on average, 90 percent of everyday braking can be performed by the electric motors alone, absent the hydraulic brake system is activated that comes in under more aggressive stopping.

PERFORMANCE – Taycan vs Tesla Model S

How Does Size Compare Between Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S

The Tesla S and Taycan are almost identical in size and actually look very similar. I would say the Taycan has a little more look of the Porsche Panamera. With the Taycan coming in at 195 inches in length and the Model S at 196 inches, these two are natural competitors. It appears that the Taycan is slightly longer by its sleek design but it is actually shorter 3″ shorter than its competitor the Tesla S.

I do not have any interior specifications at this time because they just unveiled the Taycan. Porsche hasn’t released the all-important legroom, headroom and shoulder room numbers, so that will have to wait. We do know cargo capacity, though. It’s here that Tesla handily wins again, as the Model S has a hatch. It’s far more cavernous than the Taycan, more than doubling the total cargo capacity with the rear seats up at 26.3 cubic-feet. Porsche takes a small victory when it comes to the frunk, though. At 2.9 cubic feet, it’s slightly larger than the 2.1-cubic-foot frunk in the Model S.

The Tesla is a full 2.6 inches taller, and its hatchback gives it some serious storage capacity: 26.3 cubic feet of rear cargo space, compared to the Taycan’s 12.9. The Porsche wins the trunk battle, though, with 2.9 cubic feet of space compared to the Model S’ 2.1.

DIMENSIONS – Taycan vs Tesla Model S

How Does The Technology Compare Between Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S

Tesla is a master of the big-screen game, being the first to debut a positively monstrous 17-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen in its vehicles, in addition to a 12-ish-inch screen replacing the gauge cluster. Tesla’s own infotainment system lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it does allow for Bluetooth music streaming, in addition to built-in Slacker Radio capability and over-the-air updates.

The Taycan, on the other hand, splits its screens up a bit more. The gauge cluster is a 16.8-inch screen capable of displaying multiple features at once. There’s a centrally located 10.9-inch infotainment screen, with a second 8.4-inches for climate controls and handwriting recognition. Apple CarPlay is standard, as is a new digital assistant that answers to “Hey, Porsche.” An in the Porsche Taycan, there’s also an optionally available infotainment screen just for the front passenger.

And then there’s Autopilot. Tesla’s lane-holding highway assist has been kicking around in various iterations for years, with more features being tacked on along the way. Porsche lacks a system with such capability, but then again, who really wants to let their Porsche do the driving?

Now For The Important Part, Range and Charging

This is really what most consumers are asking about when it comes to buying an EV vehicle. The range, how far on one charge and where can I charge it?

Tesla continues to outperform and wins with the Model S, netting a 345-mile range with the Model S Performance. The Taycan Turbo S will only take you 256 miles on a full charge. Nothing gets better for the Porsche when you drop down to both cars’ cheaper and slightly slower variants. The Model S Long Range will take you 370 miles on a full charge, according to EPA estimates, whereas the Taycan Turbo will go approximately 280 miles.

Both vehicle battery packs use sizable lithium-ion packs mounted under the floor. The Tesla Model S has a 100 kWh battery pack, and the Taycan uses a 93 kWh pack. Charging times of that battery pack are where Porsche begins to make its heady claims. It’s able to go from 5 percent to 80 percent charge in 22.5 minutes in ideal charging conditions. If Tesla is able to get the Model S to charge at the rates it’s claiming for the Model 3 on new V3 Supercharger stations, the time to 80 percent will likely be around 20 minutes, give or take a few depending on conditions. If the promised Model S software update to V3 charging capability isn’t as potent as the Model 3, then expect it to be a fair bit longer than 20 minutes.

Now For The Price

Porsche has always been a higher-priced luxury vehicle, and Porsche obviously is higher priced than the Tesla. Porsche Taycan is not cheap when it comes to EV vehicles, it starts at $187,610 for the Taycan Turbo S. And that’s before options. The Model S Performance is relatively cheap at $99,990 before adding the only couple of options that are available. You’ll be able to get the Taycan Turbo for $153,510 at launch, but that’s still way more expensive than the Tesla.

We think the proof will be in the drive. I have never seen Porsche disappoints with the way its vehicles drive, and we don’t expect the Taycan to be an exception. Do note that you’ll get the full $7,500 tax credit on a Taycan in America. It’s hard to get too excited about that amount of money when a Taycan equipped because when you start adding a few features the price will quickly exceed over $200,000.

Now The Conclusion

On paper, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and the Tesla Model S Performance are pretty similar in many ways except for the price. Yet, it appears a fair bit more performance-oriented than the Model S, thanks to inclusions like standard carbon-ceramic brakes. The Model S, on the other hand, keeps things a little more livable, with more cargo capacity, interior space, and range. It all comes down to how you like your steak prepared, really. Will your die-hard Porsche fans choose the Taycan over Tesla, I would say “Yes.” They are used to paying more for a name no different those the Apple lovers.

I am most excited to see what comes into the EV market this year and especially next year. In Nashville, we have many new automakers coming into the market to compete against Tesla. Will Tesla continues to be challenged and will they be able to hold their ground?