2023 Porsche Taycan GTS (with ChatGPT reviews fwiw)

The Porsche Taycan, which launched in 2020, is Porsche’s first bite of the battery electric vehicle (BEV) apple, and it is different from the market leader Tesla in some important ways. Driver involvement is the major focus, as you’d expect with Porsche, and luxury is much more prominent than it is in a Tesla.

Let’s start with the driving experience, which is quite something. In fact, I can summarize it like this: the Taycan drives like an electric 911. The Taycan is much bigger and heavier than a 911—more on that later—but somehow that’s what it feels like from behind the wheel.

While the Porsche doesn’t feel different from a Tesla model S accelerating in a straight line, handling and braking are clearly better. The steering in particular is very Porsche like, with quick turn in, neutral cornering, and good road feel. I own a current generation (992) 911, and the Taycan feels surprisingly like that car to drive. 

How does Porsche do it? In the old days, suspension tuning, weight management, and careful tire selection were the keys to good handling. Now it’s mostly software, specifically software that analyzes vehicle speed, available traction, and steering input information and then uses sophisticated torque vectoring—sending just the right amount of power to the wheels that need power while simultaneously braking the wheels that need braking—to get you around the corner you’re trying to negotiate. And to make the car feel like a Porsche. Torque vectoring’s been around since the mid-1990s, but modern computing power has taken the technology to another level altogether.

It’s a good thing the software is sophisticated, because the Taycan weighs around 5000 lbs, roughly the same as a current Cayenne SUV and about 50% more than a 911. Somehow the software and some smart engineers have made it so that the Taycan can dance despite its hefty BMI.

Most of that additional weight comes from the battery pack, which enables the Taycan to travel from 206-246 miles on a charge according to Car and Driver. Those numbers are pretty good for everyday driving but compare poorly with the Tesla Model S, which can go between 396-405 miles after charging.

While a Tesla will take you farther than a Taycan, there is much more of a luxury feel inside the premium German automaker’s electric vehicle cabin than there is in any Tesla. The materials and interfaces are much nicer than they are in the BEV market leader, which really shouldn’t be the case since a base Porsche Taycan costs about the same as an equivalent model S. Presumably the fact that the Model S is an 11 year old car has something to do with that.

The outside of the Taycan also looks cool and futuristic, which can no longer be said for the Model S. The Taycan’s LED head- and taillights look very sleek, and the aerodynamic design is attractive from all angles.

The base Taycan has 402HP, while the most expensive Turbo S has 750 (yes, I know there’s no turbocharger, no, I don’t like the nomenclature, yes, I can live with it). Other Taycan models in between those bookends are the 4S, GTS, and Turbo, and Taycans range in price from $88,150 for the base version to, gulp, $188,850 for the Turbo S. And that’s before options.

Before buying a Porsche Taycan or any other BEV think about how you’ll use it. If you have a home charger, commuting and running errands in a Taycan are fantastic, but long trips may be problematic. Automotive News and the Wall Street Journal have recently reported that the charging infrastructure isn’t what it should be to support long trips in a BEV, and outages at existing charging stations are an increasing challenge. 

During my time with my Taycan GTS press car I spoke with a 2020 Taycan owner at a charging station. He said, “I love my Taycan and am very happy that I bought it, but I don’t take it on long trips because I don’t trust charging stations yet”. Something to consider.

The Taycan is Porsche’s first crack at making a BEV, and it’s a good one. While the Taycan’s range isn’t what you can get with a Tesla, its driving experience and luxuriousness are what you’d expect from a top-shelf German automaker and better than Tesla’s. The BEV world is growing and maturing, and we’ll see how legacy automakers and Tesla grow and mature with it.

Note to my readers: seemingly everybody is using Chat GPT and AI for seemingly everything. With that in mind, I asked AI to write 800 word reviews of the Porsche Taycan, first from a positive perspective and then with a negative slant. Here’s what it came up with.

For the record, I think humans do a better job reviewing cars than AI does, at least for now.

Positive

The 2023 Porsche Taycan is a groundbreaking electric vehicle that is sure to captivate car enthusiasts everywhere. With its sleek, aerodynamic design and impressive performance capabilities, the Taycan is an exciting addition to the Porsche lineup.

Let's start with the design. The 2023 Taycan features a low, wide stance with a sloping roofline and muscular rear fenders. The front fascia is dominated by Porsche's signature four-point LED headlights and a sporty front grille. The car's silhouette is unmistakably Porsche, with clean lines and a sculpted body that exudes elegance and sportiness.

Moving inside the Taycan, you'll find a well-crafted cabin that is both comfortable and functional. The interior is spacious and inviting, with premium materials like leather and aluminum used throughout. The dashboard is dominated by a large touchscreen display that controls everything from the climate control to the infotainment system. The driver's seat is adjustable and features lumbar support, making it easy to find the perfect driving position.

Now, let's talk about the Taycan's performance. The 2023 model is available in several different trims, with varying levels of power and range. At the top of the lineup is the Taycan Turbo S, which boasts an impressive 750 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque. This allows the car to go from 0-60 mph in just 2.6 seconds, making it one of the quickest cars on the market today. The Taycan Turbo S also has a range of up to 280 miles on a single charge, making it a great option for long road trips.

But the Taycan isn't just about straight-line speed. It also features advanced handling and suspension systems that make it a joy to drive on winding roads. The car's low center of gravity and all-wheel drive system provide excellent traction and stability, while the adaptive air suspension can be adjusted to provide a comfortable ride or a more sporty, performance-oriented setup.

Another highlight of the Taycan is its advanced technology features. In addition to the large touchscreen display, the car also comes equipped with a variety of driver assistance and safety systems. These include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. There's also a range of connectivity features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Overall, the 2023 Porsche Taycan is an impressive electric vehicle that combines breathtaking performance, stylish design, and advanced technology. It's sure to appeal to car enthusiasts who are looking for a car that is both practical and exciting to drive. If you're in the market for an electric car that is as fun as it is practical, the Taycan is definitely worth considering.

Negative

The 2023 Porsche Taycan is a highly anticipated electric sports car from the renowned German automaker. Unfortunately, after getting a chance to experience this vehicle firsthand, I can confidently say that it falls short of expectations in several ways.

First and foremost, the Taycan's driving experience is disappointing. Despite being marketed as a sports car, the handling and acceleration are far from what one would expect from a vehicle in this class. The car feels sluggish and heavy, and the steering lacks the precision and responsiveness that Porsche is known for. Even with the optional performance package, the Taycan fails to deliver the thrilling driving experience that one would expect from a Porsche.

The Taycan's range is also a major issue. Despite Porsche's claims that it can travel up to 300 miles on a single charge, I found that this figure is highly exaggerated. In real-world driving conditions, I struggled to get more than 200 miles out of a single charge. This is a major inconvenience for anyone looking to use the car for long drives or as a daily driver. Furthermore, the charging times are also longer than advertised, with a full charge taking over 12 hours on a standard 240-volt outlet.

The interior of the Taycan is also a letdown. Despite the hefty price tag, the materials used in the cabin feel cheap and flimsy. The infotainment system is confusing and unintuitive, and the touchscreen display is prone to lag and unresponsive at times. The seats are uncomfortable and lack proper lumbar support, which can make longer drives a real pain.

Another major issue with the Taycan is its practicality. Despite being marketed as a four-door sedan, the rear seats are cramped and uncomfortable, making it difficult to fit more than two passengers in the car comfortably. The trunk space is also limited, with just enough room for a few small bags. This makes the Taycan a poor choice for anyone looking for a practical and spacious car for everyday use.

Finally, the price of the Taycan is simply too high for what it offers. With a starting price of over $100,000, this car is simply not worth the money. There are much better options available on the market at a similar price point, such as the Tesla Model S, which offers better range, performance, and interior quality.

In conclusion, the 2023 Porsche Taycan is a major disappointment. Despite its stylish exterior and impressive brand name, this car falls short in terms of performance, range, interior quality, practicality, and value for money. I would not recommend this car to anyone in the market for an electric sports car, as there are much better options available on the market.