I drove the Porsche Taycan for a week — and this EV has the best-in-class driving performance

One of the best parts of driving an EV is that it can accelerate in one continuous motion, thanks in part to instant torque. That’s essentially what makes them feel better than traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles that need to switch 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. It’s a true sports car designed not just for thrills — but to prove how a combination of factors contributes to delivering the best-in-class driving performance I’ve come across this year. Frankly, it’s the most fun drive I’ve had all year and easily one of the best electric cars I’ve tested. Here’s why.

Image 1 of 38

Testing Summary

I drove a total of 250.5 miles during my week of testing the Porsche Taycan 4, reaching an average efficiency of 2.56 mi/kWh. Given that it’s a performance-oriented luxury EV, that’s actually well in line with other similar vehicles I’ve tested. Then again, most people looking to buy the Taycan aren’t prioritizing efficiency.

Best-in-class driving performance

Image 1 of 3

When I think back to some of the EVs I’ve tested that astounded me with their driving performance — like the BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe, Lucid Air Touring, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N — I realized I was jaded because I was focused mostly on their instant acceleration and zippy speeds. To reiterate, most EVs behave like this because of their powerful electric motors and instant torque.

What makes the Porsche Taycan best-in-class when it comes to driving performance is an assortment of factors. At the heart of it all are dual motors that deliver 402 hp, a performance that pushes me deep into the driver’s seat from a standstill to cruising speed. Yet, it’s not just the raw power that contributes to its superb handling.

It also has to do with how its 105 kWh battery sits in the underbody, 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, featuring a sleek roofline that defines its curvy look. All of these factors make the Taycan a truly thrilling EV to drive.

Aerodynamic wheel design

Generally speaking, I don’t tend to think much about wheels — but the Porsche Taycan is an exception. Just like the aesthetics of the vehicle, the wheel design plays a critical part in how it drives. The 21-inch Aero Wheels feature a five-spoke design that reduces turbulence thanks to a covered surface, which helps the Taycan achieve an industry-leading 0.22 drag coefficient.

This explains why the Taycan feels like it’s maintaining its momentum long after I let go of the accelerator. While most cars would instantly begin to slow down due to drag, the Taycan feels as though it’s being pushed forward by its own weight. It’s most apparent when I drive downhill on the highway, seeing that the EV feels like it’s in a controlled glide, gaining speed effortlessly as time passes.

Surprising interior space

Image 1 of 8

For a sports car, I’m surprised there’s actually room inside to sit in any of the seats comfortably. While it comes up short in matching the sprawling room found with the Lucid Air Touring, there’s still decent spacing between the front and back seats so that passengers in the rear aren’t smashing their knees against the seat in front of them.

The leather-free seats are actually made out of this Race-Tex microfiber material that doesn’t just add to its sporty vibes, but it intentionally keeps me seated in place because of how it has a high-grip feel — so I’m not sloshing around as much.

At night, I also love how the glow of the ambient lights makes it look and feel futuristic. Considering it’s a fast-paced EV, the lighting certainly adds to its appeal. Of course, you can customize the colors, but purple suits it well.

Seamless Adaptive Cruise Control

Although I prefer keeping full control of the wheel, I find myself switching to the Taycan’s adaptive cruise control on clear stretches of highway — especially during long-distance drives. Once activated, the car handles much of the heavy lifting while I keep my hands on the steering wheel.

Not only does it manage the steering, but it also handles all the necessary braking and acceleration. In one busier stretch of the highway, the Taycan responded beautifully whenever cars merged in front of me by applying just enough gentle pressure to maintain a safe gap. While other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can be oversensitive and jarring, the Porsche Taycan’s intervention feels just right.

Bottom Line

Whether your driving habits lean conservative or aggressive, an unmistakable force takes over the moment you slide into the Porsche Taycan. If you think your current car handles well, you simply have no idea until you put the Taycan to the pavement and experience what it truly means to be a driver-focused machine.

Of course, the $138,005 as-tested price of the model I drove makes it impractical for most people. But let me be clear: you aren’t just paying for a battery and four wheels, you’re paying for a benchmark.

The Taycan proves that as more drivers transition into the electric era, they can still experience everything they love about gas-powered sports cars — but with a significantly quieter ride and instant torque. It is, quite simply, the most complete driving experience I’ve had all year.

Follow Digitpatrox on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

More from Digitpatrox