I drove the Porsche Taycan for a week – and this EV has a very classy drive
One of the best parts of driving an EV is that it can accelerate in one continuous motion, thanks in part to the instant torque. That’s what makes them feel better than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars that need to change gears. I thought all EVs drove like sports cars because of this, but I was dead wrong.
I didn’t realize this until I finally got into the driver’s seat of the Porsche Taycan 4. A true sports car designed not only for fun – but to prove how a combination of factors can contribute to delivering the best driving quality I’ve encountered this year. In fact, it’s the most fun drive I’ve had all year and easily one of the best electric cars I’ve tested. Here is the reason.
A photo 1 of 38
Test summary
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
2025 Porsche Taycan 4 |
2025 Lucid Air Touring |
2025 BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe |
|
Price checked |
$138,005 |
$101,850 |
$76,575 |
|
Total miles driven |
250.5 miles |
362.1 miles |
461.5 miles |
|
Average Performance |
2.56 mi/kWh |
4 mi/kWh |
2.9 mi/kWh |
|
Excellent performance for long distance driving |
2.81 mi/kWh |
4.29 mi/kWh |
N/A |
|
Excellent performance for short distance driving |
2.39 mi/kWh |
4.42 mi/kWh |
N/A |
|
Level 1 charging rate |
2.99 mi/h |
4.27 mi/h |
2.19 mi/h |
I drove a total of 250.5 miles during my test week in the Porsche Taycan 4, achieving an average efficiency of 2.56 mi/kWh. Given that it’s a performance-oriented high-end EV, that actually stacks up well against other similar vehicles I’ve tested. And again, most people looking to buy a Taycan don’t prioritize efficiency.
High driving performance
A photo 1 of 3
When I think back to other EVs I’ve tested that surprised me with how they drove – like the BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe, Lucid Air Touring, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – I realized that I was surprised because I was so focused on their quick acceleration and zipping speed. To reiterate, most EVs behave this way because of their powerful electric motors and fast torque.
What makes the Porsche Taycan stand out when it comes to driving performance is a variety of factors. At the heart of it all are two motors that deliver 402 hp, a performance that pushes me deeper into the driver’s seat from standing to cruising speed. However, it is not only green energy that contributes to its excellent handling.
And it has to do with how its 105 kWh battery sits low, resulting in a low center of gravity to keep the tires firmly on the road – even when I’m cutting corners. Then there’s the aerodynamic body design, which features a smooth roofline that defines its curved appearance. All these features make the Taycan a truly fun EV to drive.
Aerodynamic wheel design
Normally, I don’t like to think too much about wheels – but the Porsche Taycan is different. Just like the aesthetics of a car, the shape of the wheels plays an important role in how it drives. The 21-inch Aero Wheels have a five-spoke design that reduces turbulence due to the covered surface, helping the Taycan achieve an industry-leading drag coefficient of 0.22.
This explains why the Taycan feels like it retains its momentum long after letting off the accelerator. While most cars will start to slow down quickly due to drag, the Taycan feels like it’s being pushed forward by its weight. It’s most noticeable when I’m driving down the freeway, I can see that the EV feels like it’s in a controlled speed zone, picking up speed easily as time goes by.
Amazing interior
A photo 1 of 8
For a sports car, I am surprised that there is room inside to sit in any of the seats comfortably. Although it’s a bit small compared to the legroom found in the Lucid Air Touring, there’s still a good amount of space between the front and rear seats so rear passengers don’t hit their knees on the seat in front of them.
The leather seats are actually made of this Race-Tex microfiber material which not only adds to its sporty vibes, but it purposely keeps me in place because of how grippy it feels – so I don’t move around much.
At night, I also love how the ambient lighting makes it look and feel futuristic. Considering it’s a fast EV, the lightness adds to its appeal. Of course, you can customize the colors, but purple suits it well.
Seamless Adaptive Cruise Control
Although I like full control of the wheel, I find myself switching to the Taycan’s adaptive cruise control on clear highway roads – especially during long-distance drives. Once activated, the car handles most of the heavy stuff while I keep my hands on the steering wheel.
It not only handles the steering, but also handles all braking and acceleration needs. On a particularly busy stretch of freeway, the Taycan responded well whenever cars converged in front of me by applying just enough pressure to maintain a safe gap. While some Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can be sensitive and confusing, the Porsche Taycan’s intervention feels right.
The Bottom Line
It is, quite simply, the most complete driving experience I’ve had all year.
Whether your driving habits lean conservative or aggressive, undeniable power takes over when you slide into the Porsche Taycan. If you think your current car is handling you well, you don’t know until you put the Taycan on the pavement and experience what it really means to be a machine focused on driving.
Of course, the $138,005 as-tested price of the model I drove makes it out of the question for most people. But let me be clear: you’re not just paying for a battery and four wheels, you’re paying for a benchmark.
The Taycan proves that as more drivers transition to the electric age, they can still experience everything they love about gas-powered sports cars – but with a quieter ride and faster torque. It is, quite simply, the most complete driving experience I’ve had all year.
Follow up Tom’s Guide to Google News again add us as a favorite resource to get our latest news, analysis, and reviews in your feed.
