Porsche Taycan Turbo GT vs. Tesla Model S Plaid

• 

  Porsche Taycan Turbo GT

  The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT is the top-tier trim of the company’s all-electric supercar. The Taycan Turbo GT offers astounding performance that few other vehicles on the road can match, and it comes with the famous Porsche styling and design that fans have come to love over the years. For those that can afford its hefty price tag, the Taycan Turbo GT is on a short list of one of the fastest electric cars in the world.

  Pros

  • 0-60 MPH in just 2.3 seconds
  • Over 1,000 HP with Overboost
  • Up to 344 miles on a single charge
  • Reach 80% battery capacity in just 18 minutes
  • Designed for on-track performance

  Cons

  • Starting price of $230,000+
  • Expensive maintenance and upgrades

• 

  Tesla Model S Plaid

  The Tesla Model S Plaid is one of the quickest production cars on the market today, sitting as one of the company’s claims to fame. The Model S Plaid can hit 60 MPH in under 2.0 seconds while offering a full suite of Tesla’s technology and driver-assistance features. Without a doubt the fastest car you can get for the price, the Model S Plaid can compete with just about any supercar or hypercar in the world, while also being great for running errands on the weekend or taking the family on a road trip.

  Pros

  • 0-60 MPH in 1.99 seconds
  • 200 MPH top speed
  • Available full self-driving
  • 359-mile maximum range
  • Starting price of $89,990

  Cons

  • Starts to wander at high speeds
  • Loose steering doesn’t stiffen with speed

Porsche needs no introduction as a brand. As one of the world’s most recognizable automotive names, Porsche has been dominating the industry since the mid-20th century. A company known for innovation and making the best, most track-capable cars possible, it was no surprise when the Porsche Taycan came out as an all-electric supercar. The base model is faster and more capable than most cars on the street, but the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT takes it to a whole other level.

Tesla, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer to the automotive world as a whole, but the company has dominated the EV scene since the original Roadster was announced. Since then, the electric car company has released a full line-up of vehicles, none of which compare to the Tesla Model S Plaid in terms of all-out performance. This four-door sedan has taken the world by storm since its release, and it holds its own against some of the biggest names in the automotive industry, even Porsche.

In order to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate comparison possible, we’ve relied on information sourced from Porsche, Tesla, Fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, IIHS, and hands-on experience. For information regarding our ranking and grading procedures, please refer to our methodology policy.

Performance And Capability

Neither the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT nor the Tesla Model S Plaid should be taken lightly. They are both among the fastest electric cars in the world and would smoke just about any gas-powered vehicle on the planet. This really is a battle of titans, and each one deserves respect for what it is.

The Porsche is a luxury all-electric supercar that comes with the sleek aerodynamic styling the company is famous for, while the Tesla is a much more tame-looking car you could load up the family in on the weekends. But don’t let the appearances fool you, both cars are real tire-burners, and this might come as a surprise to some, but the Tesla is actually much faster than the Porsche.

Base Powertrain Comparison

• 	Porsche Taycan Turbo GT	Tesla Model S Plaid
  Model	Porsche Taycan Turbo GT	Tesla Model S Plaid
  Transmission	1-speed and 2-speed gearboxes	Single-speed automatic
  Horsepower	778-1,019 HP	1,020 HP
  Torque	988 LB-FT	1,050 LB-FT
  Driveline	AWD	AWD
  Range	328-344 Miles	359 Miles
  MSRP	$230,000	$89,990
  Charge Time	11 hours @ 11 kW	15 hours @ 220V
  0-60 MPH	2.3 Seconds	1.99 Seconds
  Quarter-Mile	9.5 Seconds	9.23 Seconds

The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT is powered by a dual-motor setup that produces 777 horsepower under normal driving conditions, but this increases to a whopping 1,019 horsepower in Attack Mode. The Tesla Model S Plaid uses a tri-motor powertrain that pumps out just one more pony, maxing out at 1,020 horsepower. Both vehicles come only with an all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain with launch control to help ramp the power in and keep traction.

In the Porsche, this setup is enough to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (MPH) in 2.3 seconds, which is reduced to 2.2 seconds with the Weissach lightweight package, and it can reach a top speed of 180 MPH. While impressive, the Tesla hits the 60 MPH mark in just 1.99 seconds on its way to a heart-pounding 200 MPH top speed, making it one of the quickest and fastest production cars on the road today.

Full Performance Specifications

(Data sourced from Porsche and Tesla)

These two electric cars have had a storied rivalry on the track in recent years, trading blows at the Nürburgring as the record went back and forth. At their fastest, the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT completed a lap around the North Loop in 7:07:55, setting the EV record at the time after beating out the Model S Plaid’s previous record of 7:25:23. Both the Porsche and the Tesla have since been beaten by the Rimac Nevera (7:05:2), which currently sits as the fastest electric car in the world.

Fuel Economy

Nobody buys cars like these for their fuel economy, but the difference between the two is pretty staggering. The Model S Plaid provides far better fuel economy than the Taycan Turbo GT across the board. In the city, the Tesla reaches 102-119 MPGe depending on whether it’s equipped with 21-inch or 19-inch wheels. The Porsche, on the other hand, is limited to just 69-74 MPGe.

On the highway, the Model S Plaid gets 99-112 MPGe compared to the 71-75 MPGe of the Taycan. This is mirrored in the combined numbers, where the Tesla offers 101-116 MPGe and the Porsche only provides 70-73 MPGe.

(Data sourced from the EPA)

Interior Design And Technology

The outside of the Porsche looks incredible, but the inside might be even better, and it’s one of the areas that really outdoes what the Tesla has to offer. Like other Porsche models, the Taycan Turbo GT opts for a simple, luxurious interior instead of throwing in a bunch of huge touchscreens as some other EVs do. The subdued dashboard is complimented with a suede liner, and anyone sitting in the car will know they’re in the lap of luxury. Carbon bucket seats provide the race car-like lateral support you’d expect in a car this track-capable, and the combination of leather and Race-Tex material gives it a unique look and feel you won’t find anywhere else.

Sticking true to the minimalist design of all Tesla interiors, the nearly six-figure Model S Plaid keeps it simple. The dashboard has one large touchscreen mounted in the center, and that’s about it. With no physical buttons or dials, the interior has an incredibly smooth, refined look to it, but the emptiness is not everyone’s cup of tea. That said, the seats are comfortable, it can handle up to five adults, and it has a 22-speaker audio system that uses Active Road Noise Reduction to provide an immersive sound experience.

Porsche Taycan Turbo GT vs. Tesla Model S Plaid Technology Comparison

The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT has one of the simplest interior designs of an EV on the market, void of any big touchscreens mounted to the dash, but this doesn’t mean it’s not loaded with tech. Some of the best features include a head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, customizable ambient lighting, and more. Drivers can also download the MyPorsche app for even more features, including seeing where the Taycan Turbo GT is, checking the battery level, preconditioning the air, and more.

The centerpiece of the Tesla Model S Plaid’s interior is the 17″ infotainment touchscreen that uses left and right tilt to face the driver or passenger head-on, which has a sister screen mounted to the back of the center console for rear seat occupants. These touchscreens control pretty much everything inside the Model S Plaid, and they can even be used for on-the-road gaming thanks to ten teraflops of processing power. Other features worth noting include wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and all the rest of the tech that Teslas have become known for over the years.

Interior Room And Cargo Capacity

Similar to the fuel economy, most people aren’t buying cars in this price range based on how much storage space there is, but it’s still worth noting. Both the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and the Tesla Model S Plaid have roughly the same space in their front trunk (frunk), with 3.0 and 3.1 cubic feet of space, respectively. That said, the Tesla has more than double the maximum amount of available cargo space, with 25.0 cubic feet compared to the Porsche’s 11.5 cubic feet.

Cargo Space Comparison

(Data sourced from Porsche and Tesla)

Safety And Reliability

As high-end carmakers, Porsche and Tesla are known for building safe vehicles designed to last a long time, as evidenced by both companies’ histories (albeit a short one for Tesla) and solid warranties offered on new vehicles.

In terms of safety, the Taycan Turbo GT has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the agency does note five recalls with the 2024 model. These recalls center mostly around issues with the battery short-circuiting and the potential overheating of the charging cable. The Tesla Model S has also not been rated by the NHTSA, but there are no recalls, investigations, or complaints posted about the newest model.

Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Safety

Due to the price of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, and even the lower trims of the Taycan, both the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have declined to crash test it, which is not uncommon for vehicles in this price range.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): 5 recalls about charging cable issues and the battery short-circuiting
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0
• Awards: N/A

Tesla Model S Plaid Safety

Similar to the Porsche, the Tesla Model S Plaid has not been crash-tested by IIHS, likely due to its near six-figure price. The latest information provided by the agency is on the 2021 Model S, but it was not crash-tested or rated.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): 0
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0
• Awards: N/A

Reliability Comparison

The reliability between the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and the Tesla Model S Plaid is reflected in their respective warranties, which are almost identical across the board. Both cars come with a 4-year/50,000-mile basic new car limited warranty, corrosion coverage for 12 years with unlimited miles, and roadside assistance throughout the life of the basic warranty.

In terms of battery warranty, both companies provide coverage for eight years, but the number of miles you can go under warranty heavily favors the Tesla. The Taycan Turbo GT battery is only covered for 80,000 miles (which is below the industry standard for EVs), while the Model S Plaid’s battery is covered for 150,000 miles, which is substantially higher than the industry standard.

Warranty

(Data sourced from Porsche and Tesla)

Pricing And Availability

Price is by far the single biggest difference between these two cars, with the Tesla coming in at a way more affordable price. The Model S Plaid has a starting price of $89,990, and you can add features like Enhanced Autopilot for $6,000 or Full Self-Driving for $12,000. Larger wheels, charging accessories, and more are also available.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT starts at $230,000 and goes up from there depending on options, features, and anything else you decide to add. Exclusive just to the new Taycan, the Weissach lightweight package that deletes the rear seats is a no-cost option, garnering a bit more track performance for no extra charge.

That said, you can basically get two fully loaded self-driving Tesla Model S Plaids for the price of one Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with no additional features.

Trim Pricing Comparison

(Data sourced from Porsche and Tesla)