Porsche Makes Taycan More Accessible with the 2020 4S Model

New affordable Taycan bridges the gap with competitor Tesla Model S Performance.

Porsche hit the electric car market hard last month, revealing the Taycan Turbo and Taycan S — the German’s first-ever fully electric sports car. Now, they add a third, more affordable model to the lineup, with the 2020 Taycan 4S available for order now and hitting US dealerships next spring and Canadian dealers in the summer, starting at US$103,900 and C$119,400, respectively. 

Here’s our complete 2020 Taycan 4S review.

2020 porsche taycan 4s drifting in Finland
Our writer, Doug, plays in Finland’s cold, wintery conditions in the new Taycan 4S. Photo: Porsche
ModelUS PriceCanada Price
2020 Taycan 4S103,900$119,400
2020 Taycan Turbo$150,900$173,900
2020 Taycan S$185,000$213,900

Good move on Porsche’s part considering the expensive Turbo and S are priced nearly $50,000 more than this cheaper 4S model, placing it closer to the Tesla Model S Performance which sells for around $100,000. 

We know the electric car hype is real, but if automakers want to get consumers into these sustainable vehicles, the pricing needs to be right. The Taycan 4S hits the sweet spot for premium sports car buyers looking to go green. 

Two Porsche Taycan 4S Models, Two Taycan Battery Options

New entry-level Taycan 4S goes on sale in spring 2020 in the US and summer 2020 in Canada. Photo: Porsche

Available in two battery sizes, the Taycan 4S comes standard with a single-deck Performance battery producing a total capacity of 79.2 kWh. For more power, buyers can opt for the two-deck Performance battery Plus, which has a total capacity of 93.4 kWh, in line with the Turbo and Turbo S models. 

The standard battery setup still produces a respectable 429 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque (or 522 hp on over-boost in launch control), compared to 482 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque from the optional 93.4-kWh battery borrowed from the top two trims. 

2020 Taycan 4S interior
As standard, the 2020 Taycan 4S comes with a partial leather interior as well as front comfort seats with eight-way electrical adjustment. Photo: Porsche

These numbers, including the price, sound great until you realize the Taycan Turbo puts down 650 hp, while the range-topping Taycan Turbo will make a whopping 750 hp paired to Launch Control and sprint to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds. 

But seriously, how much power will you really need? All three trims are all-wheel drive with the same powertrain setups. At the Taycan 4S’s more reasonable starting price point, we think the mid-400s for horses will suffice for most. 

Taycan 4S styling differences

All models sport a handsome look with sleek styling flossing that sporty roofline sloping downward to the rear. However, expect this entry-level Taycan to offer aerodynamically optimized 19-inch Taycan S Aero wheels, red-painted brake calipers, and some visual differences to the front apron, side sills, and rear diffuser. 

The 2020 Porsche Taycan 4S orders are now open, with North American deliveries coming next year (spring in the US and summer in Canada).

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