2019 Porsche Mission E

Porsche turns up the heat on not just Mission E, or now known as Taycans, but also for all previous models, with an update to the vehicle's battery and charging algorithm that helps increase range and charging speeds. Porsche says the Taycan will now precondition its battery to a higher temperature and, as a result, the car will reach a higher charging rate sooner. The infotainment display has also been redesigned with a more colorful and quicker user interface as well as wireless Android Auto—and the ability to search for charging stations using charging-station output as a filter. Previously only an option for the Taycan GTS, Porsche's Variable Light Control is now available with any Taycan equipped with a panoramic glass roof. This allows the driver to toggle the roof from clear to opaque electronically, the better to control scalp overheating. The painted 19-inch Aero wheels have been discontinued.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance: Most Taycan models feature dual electric motors, with one powering the front wheels and the other powering the rears. They produce separate outputs that vary by trim level. The 4S generates 522 horsepower with the smaller battery and 562 horses with the bigger one. The big juicer comes standard on the top models, the 670-hp Turbo and the 750-hp Turbo S. The base model makes between 402 and 469 horsepower, depending on the battery size, but it's rear-wheel-drive only. The sweet spot is the 590-hp Taycan GTS with 626 pound-feet of torque. All Taycan models also have an innovative two-speed transmission that provides a thrilling shift during hard acceleration.

We've driven the Taycan 4S and were impressed by its prompt acceleration (hitting 60 mph in 3.4 seconds) as well as its point-and-shoot handling. However, we wish it had a more responsive brake pedal, especially since Porsche chose to forgo one-pedal driving. Those with a serious need for speed will be blown away by the Turbo S's rocket-ship takeoffs. The version we tested hit 60 mph in just 2.4 ticks and cleared the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds at 130 mph. A Model S Performance with Cheetah mode matched that blast to 60 mph; a Model S Plaid destroyed the Porsche in acceleration. The Taycan's ferocious acceleration, along with the car's low-slung driving position and precise steering, is what makes it special among electric vehicles. And it's comfortable too. Even rolling on 21-inch wheels with low-profile tires, another Taycan Turbo S we drove never felt stiff or harsh.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe: The most efficient Taycan is rated at up to 83 MPGe combined. By comparison, the Tesla Model S Long Range is rated at 120 MPGe. When driven on the highway, the Porsche is rated at up to 88 MPGe and the Tesla is rated at up to 115 MPGe. We tested the Taycan 4S with the large battery on our 75-mph highway route and observed 65 MPGe. We conducted the same test with a 2018 Model S 100D and observed 91 MPGe. We also saw a 2020 Taycan 4S achieve 180 miles of real-world range on our aforementioned highway test. For more information about the Taycan's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life: The Taycan's driving range is unremarkable compared with that of the Tesla Model S, which can crest 400 miles on a charge. The Porsche's ratings range between 206 and 246 miles, depending on the battery size and electric motors. Every model features an 800-volt architecture that allows a peak charging rate of 270 kilowatts. Models with the larger battery—Porsche labels this pack 93.4 kWh, but only 83.7 kWh are useable—can be charged from 5 to 80 percent in a claimed 23 minutes. However, 800-volt DC fast chargers are rare, and peak charging rates aren't very informative, as we examined in a comparison test. Charging at a 50-kW DC fast charger takes 93 minutes, according to Porsche. While 270-kW and 50-kW fast-charging capability is standard, 150-kW charging is an option. We experienced the real-world variables in charging during our 11-car, thousand-mile EV1000 rally.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo: Inside the sleek-looking Taycan is a tech-laden environment. The design is ostensibly simple and recalls what we've seen in other Porsche models. As expected, the interior can be covered in a range of rich materials and different color schemes. There's a long list of luxury options, including four-zone climate control, massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Taycan comes standard with 2+2 seating, but there's an option to add a third spot in the back if desired. We found the electrified Porsche's rear accommodations and storage space to be a bit lacking, and we didn't enjoy having to maneuver into the low front seat. From behind the wheel, though, the view out is excellent.

Infotainment and Connectivity: There's no shortage of screens inside the Taycan, but there is a shortage of physical buttons and knobs. Along with a curved 16.8-inch display for the gauges, there are two centrally located touchscreens that control the infotainment system. The top one is integrated into the dash and measures 10.9 inches. It provides access to important functions. The 8.4-inch touchscreen below it enables users to adjust the climate settings, check the battery status, input navigation details, interact with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features, and open and close the trunks and charge ports. Another 10.9-inch touchscreen is available for the front-seat passenger, and there's an optional 5.9-inch touchscreen in the back seat that controls the rear HVAC and seat heating.