Overview

The 2022 Porsche Taycan sedan isn’t the perfect electric vehicle, but its combination of driving verve and performance stamina make it the most engaging one. It’s also on our 2022 Editors’ Choice list. With a striking appearance as well as a highly customizable and high-tech interior, Porsche’s electrified four-door lives up to its premium pricing. The Taycan also does a remarkable job of reminding its pilot that they’re driving a Porsche thanks to its lively steering, stoic composure, and refined ride. Stomping the accelerator is like firing a missile, except it can be done repeatedly. While its brakes are great at corralling that quickness, they lack the regenerative properties of traditional EVs and the pedal has a passive feel. There will always be comparisons to the Tesla Model S, especially with the Porsche’s comparatively short estimated range, but the 2022 Taycan is unquestionably the more thrilling alternative.

What’s New for 2022?

For 2022, Porsche makes some tweaks to the Taycan family. Joining the lineup is a new 590-hp GTS model that sports trim-specific details inside and out and inherits performance equipment from the top-of-the-line Taycan Turbo S. The GTS also boasts unique chassis tuning and powertrain calibration for a distinct driving personality. The infotainment system adds enhanced voice commands, an improved operating system, and Android Auto finally joins Apple CarPlay. The Taycan can also now be parked remotely via a smartphone, meaning no one actually needs to be behind the wheel. The paint palette expands, too, courtesy of Porsche’s “Paint to Sample” program that allows customers to select personal colors, including those from classic ’90s models. The ’22 Taycan also benefits from better thermal management and charging functions, which Porsche says aim to reduce charging times.

Engine, Transmission, 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 latter comes standard on the top models, the 670-hp Turbo and the 750-hp Turbo S. The base model makes between 402 and 469 hp, depending on the battery size, but it’s rear-wheel-drive only. 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. This ferocious acceleration, along with the car’s low-slung driving position and precise steering, is what makes the Porsche special among electric vehicles. And it’s comfortable too. Even rolling on 21-inch wheels with narrow sidewalls, another Taycan Turbo S we drove never felt stiff or harsh.

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 199 and 227 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.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The most efficient Taycan is rated at up to 79 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 84 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.

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.