Used Porsche Taycan 2020-present review

The Porsche Taycan arrived a few years ago as somewhat of a game changer. We'd all seen electric cars with ludicrous acceleration before, but there was little to truly entertain and reward us in the bends. The conventionally powered performance car had that on lockdown, until the Taycan.

A prominent issue electric cars deal with is weight. Batteries are heavy and can help induce everything from sloppy handling to poor comfort. To mitigate the problem, Porsche placed as much of that weight as possible low down in the car, giving it an incredibly low centre of gravity.

Performance & Range: The 4S version is worth paying attention to. It sits among the most affordable used Taycans, because this mid-range variant was the first one to market. It has four-wheel drive and we saw 0-60mph in 3.6sec. That time was achieved in a 93kWh Performance Battery Plus car, we should add. This version of the 4S has more power and range than the standard 79kWh 4S, yet it remains relatively affordable on the used market.

The range for the 93kWh 4S is officially 282 miles, although expect around 234 miles in the real world. The GTS, Turbo and Turbo S also have this battery, so a similar distance is achievable. The 79kWh 4S (this battery is also available in the entry-level, rear-wheel-drive Taycan, although so is the 93kWh one) has an official range of 230 miles. Charging speeds can be found on the next page.

Ride & Handling: That aforementioned low centre of gravity naturally reduces body roll – the Taycan keeps itself very flat when cornering – and lessens the need for stiff suspension. That said, every Taycan variant comes with adjustable suspension, so you can sharpen or relax the driving experience at will. In the latter setting, the ride is impressively supple.

In any setting, although more so in its sharper ones, the Taycan is remarkably composed and precise in the bends. You feel a great amount of confidence in it, thanks in part to its well-weighted steering. As of writing, used rivals – the Audi E-tron GT and Mercedes EQS to name two – can't match it.

Some can match or exceed the Taycan's talent in a straight line, although the bar is high and you shouldn't be disappointed with the performance on offer here: in our hands, the entry-level Taycan did 0-60mph in 5.1sec and, according to Porsche, the range-topping Turbo S can hit 62mph in as little as 2.8sec. The Tesla Model S is similarly quick as the Taycan and its Plaid variant can outrun the Turbo S.

Interior & Practicality: Not only do few come close to the Taycan on the road, but it's a similar story in regards to interior quality. Every surface you touch feels suitably upmarket and it all feels beautifully screwed together. You can’t say either of those things about the Mercedes EQS. If you’re a fan of the grippy, suede-like material Race-Tex, you'll particularly enjoy the GTS, which has plenty of it on the seats, lower dash, roof lining and steering wheel.

The driving position is superb. You sit closer to the ground than in most electric cars, so you immediately feel as though you’re in something properly sporty. The seats are wonderfully supportive on a long journey and have good side support for cornering. Eight-way electrically adjustable seats are standard from new, but you'll find used examples with more adjustment (if the original owner paid extra for it or got the GTS).

You should be able to justify buying a Taycan to your partner, although don't take our word for it. There's a good amount of space for four adults inside (or five at a squeeze) and the boot is plenty big enough for a buggy or a set of golf clubs.

In terms of outright load space, we managed to fit in six carry-on suitcases with room left over for a soft bag, which is more than the VW Golf boot can swallow. If you need more boot space, have a look at the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

Trims & Equipment: All Taycans have (at least) 19in alloy wheels, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a powered tailgate and a heat pump. Original owners had to pay extra for keyless entry, privacy glass, a heated steering wheel, full leather seats and adaptive cruise control. The GTS, Turbo and Turbo S come with extra standard kit from the factory, but they cost the most to buy.

Interested in buying a used Porsche Taycan? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

As of writing, a new 4S is £95,500 (before optional extras), so to pick one – a 2020 model – up for as little as £39,000 is an astonishing deal. Many you'll see are fitted with thousands of pounds of extras, too, as well as the 93kWh battery.

The entry-level, rear-wheel-drive model (often referred to as RWD) rises to around £42,000, while Turbo and Turbo S cars go for around £50,000 and £58,000 respectively. Due to it joining the Porsche Taycan line-up in 2022, the GTS proves most expensive. You'll need at least £69,000 to buy one.

For a nearly new 2024 Taycan (of any kind), have upwards of that last amount.

Check the value of a used Taycan with What Car? Valuations

Find used Porsche cars for sale

Charging speeds: Going for the 4S and the 93kWh Performance Battery Plus (as we mentioned, a standard feature on GTS and Turbo models) gets you a maximum charging rate of 270kW – the 79kWh battery can charge at up to 225kW. This potentially allows you to charge from 10-80% in around 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, there are very few charging locations capable of delivering 270kW in the UK. You're much more likely to come across a 100kW charger, which can deliver a 10-80% charge in around 40 minutes. A 0-100% charge from a 7kW home wallbox takes around 13.5hrs.

Insurance and servicing: Set aside a somewhat large amount of money for these two things. Insurance groups are high, ranging from 48 to 50 (and you can't go higher than 50).

Service plans are available for the Taycan and you can buy one for £2304 – this is the Core Plan and it has a term of 4 years/40k miles.

Porsche gives every Taycan a three-year warranty from new, while the battery is covered separately for up to eight years, with a guarantee that it won't drop below 70% of its original capacity during that time.

Reliability

In our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers reported that the Porsche Taycan has faced some reliability challenges, mainly with its technology. Owners mentioned software issues, including system crashes and glitches in the infotainment and navigation systems. Problems with the charging system, such as slow charging speeds and connection difficulties, were also noted.

Dealer service feedback was mixed. While some appreciated the prompt response and expertise of Porsche technicians, others were frustrated by long wait times for software updates, high service costs, and unresolved issues after multiple visits.

Discover more about used Porsche Taycan reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

The 4S with the 93kWh battery makes perfect sense as the one to go for. This Porsche Taycan is amongst the most affordable you'll find used, yet it isn't even the entry-level car. Good range meets great performance here.

Our favourite Porsche Taycan: 4S Performance Plus 93kWh

The Audi E-tron GT shares a mechanical basis, the 93kWh battery and more with the Porsche Taycan. It's not quite as amazing to drive, yet it's similarly priced on the used market, so we'd say the Taycan is the way to go here. However, it's a close call – to the point where we would easily forgive someone for choosing the GT solely because they prefer the way it looks.

The Mercedes EQS is around £10,000 more expensive than the Taycan on the used market. To drive, it lacks the polish of the Taycan. Its interior doesn't feel as well screwed together either. It'll go very far on a single charge, though, with the 450+ version's official figure being more than 450 miles.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter

Interested in buying a used Porsche Taycan? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.