[Smitty11]

I know when Porsche first introduced the Taycan, the immediate comparisons were going to be with the Tesla Model S, and rightfully so since they're both the top performance EVs for both companies.

But I've been curious as to how the Taycan holds its own compared to the Model 3.

There are some similarities between the two cars, even though there's going to be a big price difference. Since the official specs still haven't come out for the Taycan, most of this is based on what I've found from Porsche's website.

- As far as 0-60 times go, Porsche claims the Taycan has a 0-60 time of under 3.5 seconds. The Model 3 performance has a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds
- Porsche claims the Taycan will have a range of over 300 miles. The Model 3 Performance has a range of 310 miles.
- Porsche claims the Taycan will have over 600 horsepower. The Model 3 Performance has 450 horsepower.
- Porsche claims the height of the Mission E is 1300mm (51 inches), if that's similar to the Taycan's height it'll be much shorter than the Model 3 (1443mm / 57 inches).
- Also, based on ThomasGeigerCar's review of the Taycan, it looks like the interior space could be closer to the Model 3's than the Model S.

While I think the Taycan's final specs and numbers will lean towards the Model S, I believe it's important to compare it to the Model 3 as well to see if Porsche has truly nailed it.

 

[MPawelek]

I have always been amused at the testosterone slinging over 0-60 times that are one tenth to two tenths of a second difference. For me the pleasure of a great car is winding back country roads where balance and performance is the fun of driving, not flooring a car from 0-60 like a 16 year old does with his first car.
Case in point.....Years ago I was a member of the BMW Z3 Club and there were always those with the 6 cylinder Z3’s talking s**t about how much better they were than the original 4 cylinder models. On a club drive through the Texas Hill Country we drove the Twisted Sisters, one segment about 30 miles long with 40-45 hair pin turns posted at 10 mph. The 4 cylinder Z3’s were much better balanced cars, BMW had added 40 pounds of weight at the rear bumpers, and at the end of multiple runs the 4 cylinder Z3’s were 1.5-2 miles ahead of the 6 cylinder Z3’s that were fish tailing trying to keep up with their smaller brothers on the curves. For me a difference of 2 tenths of a second 0-60 times may be a talking point but are irrelevant. I prefer a unit that sticks like glue to a road on sharp curves. Your mileage may vary......

 

[erleichda]

I agree, seeing reviews of the Taycan and pics it is smaller than what the MissionE renders appeared. Data (I can't tell how accurate) back this up:
Tesla M3P vs. Taycan:

Length 187 vs 191 (the Model S is 196)
1/4 mile? Tesla 3P is 11.7, Taycan is supposed to be around 12.
The 3P at Laguna Seca set a record. Will the T beat it?

But what concerns me is that if they are similar, the Model 3 is only $59k...so who pays twice that for similar performance??? Sure, fit and finish will be different but THAT different?

Also, Tesla is cranking out 7-8k per week. (A corolla plant in Texas makes 3750/week so this is significant). Does Porsche have the ability to make more than 20k a year??

I'm concerned the days of $>100k EVs are over. The Model S isn't selling. I-Pace isn't selling. E-Tron isn't selling. All because of the 3.

Hmmm.

 

[MPawelek]

I don’t believe any 100k+ car is made for the masses. The reality is that the great majority of folks will never be able to afford anything at that price. Even the Chevy Bolt, that is probably the most practical EV for the average family, has not exactly sold in huge volumes. Most Americans are still not sold on the EV platform yet. Once there are more out there at a affordable price and there are charging stations convenient to everyone I believe the tide will turn.

Everyone I talk to mentions the dreaded “Range Anxiety” yet the average American drives 20 miles to work each day. At this point the major auto manufacturers are doing literally nothing to educate the public on the advantages of EV’s.

After a great amount of reading, I believe hybrids are more practical for most folks in cities. Short mileage means electric for going to and from work during the week and grocery shopping/errands on weekends. Then if you need more mileage the carbon burner kicks in for longer trips. Yet, once again, car manufacturers are not communicating this to the public.

 

[erleichda]

I'm hoping the Taycan is a hit, but agree it will be niche like any mid-life crisis car. But data don't support your argument. Bolt sales were never strong. Yet, at same pricepoint, the Model 3 outsold all premium competitors over the past year COMBINED. Total cost of ownership now is less than an Accord. They are having their iPhone moment, for sure. Nobody is going to buy a hybrid for what is basically more money. Charging locations for trips are exploding, look up "destination charging" to see all the hotels/destinations. So, if you can get nearly the same car performance-wise as a Taycan...for $59k...who would buy something that was $110k???? I'm not getting it.

 

[MPawelek]

Probably has to do with name brand, status and recognition as to price point. People don’t always buy products because they are the most logical choice. Of all my cars my favorite is my Mercedes SL. Not the fastest, seats only two and very small space in the trunk for carrying luggage but by far one of the nicest road hugging touring cars I have ever driven. For me it is all about the drive, not the destination. On back winding roads it sticks like glue and I can take turns that most other Marques cannot. It does get great gas mileage at 24-29 mpg but is extremely impractical otherwise.

If you go on the Tesla forum you can read hundreds of problems folks are still having with their Tesla’s and then get amused with the fanboys jumping all over the posters because they are complaining that their Tesla’s have been sitting in their driveway for “only” a month not working, no service, no email, phone or text response from Tesla etc. Now that Tesla is pumping out larger numbers service and customer care are lagging way behind. I saw a site two nights back called Car Gurus with 1100 used Tesla’s for sale. Not a good sign.

It is nice to have freedom of choice. If you feel a Tesla is a better car for you go for it.

PS- You keep referring to cost. Tesla fans keep pushing the 35k price point and constantly glamorizing the advanced Tesla semi-autonomous driving system. The irony is that you only get a bare bones Tesla for 35k and if you want any of the goodies you are really talking 45-50k on the Model 3

 

[MPawelek]

I personally will never buy a Tesla because of the culture it has created amongst its followers that I choose not to belong to under any circumstances. Just spend a few nights on the Tesla site and experience the virtue signaling and outright hostility to those that do not follow “The Mission”. Rather than encouraging folks buying EV’s and helping out those with problems with their EV the group think culture on the Tesla forum pounces on anyone who doesn’t blindly follow the party line. If you dare post a problem with your Tesla you are immediately chastised and told you have a improper attitude and posting your Tesla problems are not proper and you should suck it up and be quiet. Every non compliant member is labeled a FUD and that they are whiners.

I get the impression there is little independent thinking in the Tesla culture. They follow the party line and talk like drones repeating the same one liners over and over never admitting there are quality, reliability and service problems. As I stated above and if you don’t believe me just go cruise the Tesla site. The proof is right there.....

 

[erleichda]

I have 3 Teslas. I'm a fanboy. I've had near zero issues since 2012. I'v all over twitter and the forums. There are not massive issues. There are 10 of them on my block. Nobody has had issues. My extended family has them. Nobody has had issues. Tesla rates tops in customer loyalty because the company takes care of folks. There are intentional misinformation campaigns and stock manipulators I've reported and outed. I've been involved with efforts to discuss FUD with editors of major newspapers.

The price point comparo is because the Performance Model 3 does cost $59k. As above, the specs are the same as the upcoming Taycan. I can't see why anyone would cross shop and pay 2x for it.

 

[MPawelek]

I am happy for you that you love your Teslas.

I wonder how all the hundreds of current FUDS are getting onto the Tesla site when you have to be a registered owner to post?

Consumer Reports has dropped it’s recommendations for the Model 3 due to numerous complaints from owners.

 

[MPawelek]

PS- I realize that the vast majority of Tesla owners are probably nice folks and the ardent vocal group spreading vitriol are in the minority but they do appear to dominate most conversations.

 

[Goldfiinger]

Probably has to do with name brand, status and recognition as to price point. People don’t always buy products because they are the most logical choice. Of all my cars my favorite is my Mercedes SL. Not the fastest, seats only two and very small space in the trunk for carrying luggage but by far one of the nicest road hugging touring cars I have ever driven. For me it is all about the drive, not the destination. On back winding roads it sticks like glue and I can take turns that most other Marques cannot. It does get great gas mileage at 24-29 mpg but is extremely impractical otherwise.

If you go on the Tesla forum you can read hundreds of problems folks are still having with their Tesla’s and then get amused with the fanboys jumping all over the posters because they are complaining that their Tesla’s have been sitting in their driveway for “only” a month not working, no service, no email, phone or text response from Tesla etc. Now that Tesla is pumping out larger numbers service and customer care are lagging way behind. I saw a site two nights back called Car Gurus with 1100 used Tesla’s for sale. Not a good sign.

It is nice to have freedom of choice. If you feel a Tesla is a better car for you go for it.

PS- You keep referring to cost. Tesla fans keep pushing the 35k price point and constantly glamorizing the advanced Tesla semi-autonomous driving system. The irony is that you only get a bare bones Tesla for 35k and if you want any of the goodies you are really talking 45-50k on the Model 3

Yes but no one talks about the 35k dollar model 3. who wants that when the 60k model is faster than the Taycan will be. And thats not even due out until when ?

Teslas sells them selves as the tech has been being built for nearly a decade now.

Every other ICE copany said it wasn't possible and wanted it to fail. Now they are actually impressed and annoyed they have to play catch up.

The Model 3, just changed the world.

Would be a foolish person to want to buy a new car that wasn't an EV if they could afford a decent one.

Bitch about not wanting to buy Tesla all you want. Just go buy a second rate EV instead, everyone else is 7 years at least behind the curve because they companys want it to fail and didn't want EV's to be a reality.

When you DO buy your first EV. You'll do it because it makes more sense then buying a ICE. But when that happens, it'll only be because TESLA changed the way cars are made FOREVER.

Not a fan boy, just plain reality.

Model 3 = game changer.

 

[bfenster90]

realize this is an old post, but the latest Nürburg time brought this question back to me. I'd love to see the model 3 run by a professional driver. I sincerely doubt it would beat the taycan's time, but curious to see how close.

In my mind, there's an ever-so-slight difference between these cars. The model 3 seems more tailored to everyday livability - focus on scaled production, battery optimization for range, and cranking out frequent autopilot improvements (and new supercharger stations). That said, I do think people severely underestimate the model 3 as a one-trick-acceleration-pony when in reality it's incredibly capable in corners. The taycan is more designed and tuned for the track. Full disclosure, I have the model 3 and love it but I'm considering changing over to the Taycan next year - mostly because I like to do recreational track days (10-20 /yr) and want something that I think is a little better designed for that use. Any thoughts on if the difference is big enough to justify the change? Hopefully we a professional driver compare the two on a track sometime soon

 

[Smitty11]

China’s main motoring site, Dongchedi, recently conducted a 24-hour test of the Porsche Taycan Turbo, putting it up against the Tesla Model S Performance and Model 3 Performance with Track Package. They performed three main tests for the Taycan, which included a drag race and endurance test against the Model S and a time attack track run against the Model 3 Performance.

As noted by the motoring site, the Porsche Taycan Turbo actually performed really well during its test. Professional drivers who tested the vehicle over the 24 hour period praised the electric sedan for its driving dynamics, which showcases the best that Porsche has to offer. That being said, the Taycan did bow to the Model S Performance in the drag race, as it finished the quarter mile run in 10.99 seconds, just behind the Model S Performance, which completed the race in 10.56 seconds.

The Taycan Turbo also did well on its battery endurance test, running 452 km in one charge and impressively close to its NEDC rating of 462 km. In contrast, Tesla’s flagship sedan was able to run 505 km before it ran out of battery, 145 km less than its NEDC rating of 650 km.

For the Porsche Taycan Turbo’s track test, the Dongchedi team brought the vehicle to its closed circuit for a hot lap time attack test. But this time around, the Taycan Turbo had an additional competitor: the Tesla Model 3 Performance with Track Package. The Taycan Turbo showed its racing pedigree in the test, decimating the Model S Performance’s track time of 1:19:26 with its impressive 1:15:97 run.

However, the German made electric car’s win was short lived, as the much more affordable Model 3 was able to complete its hot lap in 1:15:78. Granted, the gap between the time attack results of the Porsche Taycan Turbo and the Model 3 Performance was very slim. Despite this, it is difficult not to be impressed by Tesla’s most affordable performance branded car.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1283810494030024705

Proud Porsche Taycan Turbo gets humbled on the track by 'affordable' Tesla Model 3

There’s no denying that the Porsche Taycan Turbo is an incredible electric car on the track. Refined on the cruel turns of the Nurburgring, the Taycan embodies Porsche’s racing pedigree in an all electric package. This is why it was quite surprising to see such a vehicle bow down to a far more...

www.teslarati.com

 

[Marty7]

I have 3 Teslas. I'm a fanboy. I've had near zero issues since 2012. I'v all over twitter and the forums. There are not massive issues. There are 10 of them on my block. Nobody has had issues. My extended family has them. Nobody has had issues. Tesla rates tops in customer loyalty because the company takes care of folks. There are intentional misinformation campaigns and stock manipulators I've reported and outed. I've been involved with efforts to discuss FUD with editors of major newspapers.

The price point comparo is because the Performance Model 3 does cost $59k. As above, the specs are the same as the upcoming Taycan. I can't see why anyone would cross shop and pay 2x for it.

That's exactly what I am doing, going from model 3 to Taycan. Fancied a change, might come back to Tesla. Unless you see and drive a Taycan for yourself you won't quite get why you pay twice the amount. Pure and simple it is twice the car in terms of fit and finish. Don't get me wrong the M3P is awesome but it isn't exactly easy on the eye like a Porsche.