THE REVAMPED 2025 PORSCHE TAYCAN EV HAS BETTER RANGE, FASTER CHARGING AND BIGGER POWER

We’ve enjoyed plenty of electric cars, especially in the luxury bracket, where they’ve been both fast and refined. But the one that really sticks in our collective consciousness is the Taycan. It connects on several levels all at the same time. There’s the acceleration, sure. Then there’s the tactile element, the feeling of the steering and the brakes, and how the suspension feels going around a quick corner. When the roads call for a different approach, the Taycan can still be comfortable, while assisting and entertaining the driver with an array of up-to-the-minute tech features. There are some great electric cars, but only one drives like a Porsche. Our owner reviews agree.

What’s new for 2025

The Taycan launched for the 2020 model year, so now’s the time for a mid-generation revamp. The looks are slightly different, but the less visible stuff has received more attention. Porsche has improved aspects of the Taycan’s drivetrains from the motors to the batteries — enabling faster charging times, faster acceleration times, bigger power, and better ranges. The suspension has also been improved, and the level of standard equipment is higher. The regular Taycan sedan and the Taycan Cross Turismo (the more wagon-like variant with a slightly raised ride height) make it into 2025, but last year’s Sport Turismo wagon does not.

On-sale date

The 2025 Taycan sedan becomes available in the summer of 2024, with the Taycan Cross Turismo arriving later in the year.

Check out: The new Porsche Macan EV: Here’s how fast it can go, and more

2025 Porsche Taycan pricing

The 2025 Porsche Taycan starts at $101,395. That’s for the entry-level model with one electric motor and rear-wheel drive. This represents a significant bump over last year’s starting price, but there have been improvements in several areas, while standard equipment expands to include a heated steering wheel, ambient cabin lighting, Lane Change Assist, and various other items.

These figures include both the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and the $1,195 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

The Taycan sure drives like a Porsche should, but it does charge a premium for such impressive ability. For comparison, the BMW i5 starts below $70K. Cars like the Genesis Electrified G80, Tesla Model S and Mercedes-EQ EQE Sedan start out a few thousand more than the i5, while the Lucid Air begins in the $80K region. The Audi e-tron GT is based on the same platform as the Taycan and also starts above $100K.

Before buying a new Taycan luxury electric car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Taycan resale values are comfortably above the class average. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

Also read: The 2024 Genesis G80: luxe interior, cool tech and tops in safety

Power, ride, and handling

The Taycan comes into 2025 with four updated drivetrains. The basic setup is one electric motor driving the rear wheels. Last year, it made 402 horsepower with launch control engaged. This year, it’s 0.6 of a second faster in the sprint from standstill to 60 mph, doing the dash in just 4.5 seconds and putting it into closer contention with one of the quicker rivals, the Genesis Electrified G80 (at 4.1 seconds).

At the other end of this already speedy spectrum is the Turbo S (not that there’s actually a turbocharger under the hood; consider it Porsche’s way of saying “hot”) which now makes a massive 938 horsepower in launch mode and will hit 60 mph in a mind-bending 2.4 seconds. That makes it the fastest and most powerful production Porsche ever. Well, so far.

Versions of the Taycan with the Sport Chrono package and the Performance Battery Plus now have an overtaking button on the steering wheel, for an extra boost whenever it’s required.

As with other Porsches, speed is just one aspect of the overall heightened driving experience. There’s also the crispness of response, agility, and control. We’ve found the Taycan to have these typical Porsche qualities. Just that it doesn’t use gasoline. An adaptive air suspension becomes standard in every 2025 Taycan, so it can also provide a cushioned ride whenever the conditions or the whim dictates. Or there’s the optional Porsche Active Ride suspension available with all-wheel-drive variants. It smooths out bumps as if they didn’t exist, and will keep the attitude of the car completely (and uncannily) level through corners, and under acceleration and braking.

Smart interior

In its usual form, the 2025 Taycan luxury electric car has well-bolstered, supportive-yet-comfortable seats for four adults. It will take 6-footers in both rows — any taller types will want to sit up front. A little center rear seat is available as an option.

Appropriately for a German luxury car, the Taycan’s interior is full of quality materials, assembled well into a smart design. Technology coexists with cosseting, as high-resolution displays can share space with vegan-friendly simulated leather and simulated suede. Plus the option of seat belts and contrasting stitching all in silver.

There’s a decent amount of room in the sedan’s trunk: 14.3 cubic feet, more than the Mercedes-EQ EQE Sedan, less than the BMW i5 The Cross Turismo version has another few cubic feet behind the rear seats, plus a maximum cargo area of more than 40 cubic feet when both rear seats are folded down. And all Taycans have an additional 2.9 cubic feet of stowage under the hood.

Read: Battery replacement is rare for electrified cars, study finds

Two body styles

Size-wise, the Taycan sedan is the same length as the Mercedes-EQ EQE Sedan and about three inches shorter than the BMW i5. It’s also noticeably lower than both of those rivals. To our eyes, the Taycan definitely has that special Porsche look that manages to evoke the famed 911 sports car while still being a 4-door car.

Alternatively, buyers may choose the Cross Turismo variant with a wagon-ish treatment to the tail end. The Cross Turismo offers a choice of drivetrains, has SUV-like plastic cladding on the sides, and 5.8 inches of ground clearance. That’s still not a lot for the road less graveled, but at least there’s a choice. Either way, Porsche offers a broad palette of colors, including the option of matching paint to a customer-supplied sample.

This year, Porsche has tweaked the styling with new matrix-design LED headlights and LED taillights, sleeker front fenders, and new aerodynamic wheel designs.

Plus: The 2024 Porsche 911 review: Pricing, specs, and what it’s like to drive

Our favorite features and tech

Wireless phone integration

Cable-free Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the 2025 Taycan lineup. This year, Apple CarPlay goes even deeper into the car’s systems. There’s also a cooled wireless charging pad to help prevent phones from getting too hot, impacting performance. And a new In-Car Video feature allows streaming in the center and front passenger screens.

Porsche Intelligent Range Manager

A new standard feature in the 2025 Taycan, this will calculate the most energy-efficient route, taking into account factors like real-time traffic and any charging requirements along the way.

Remote Park Assist

By using a phone app, drivers can control their Taycan with this optional feature, slotting it into (or out of) parallel or perpendicular parking spaces while standing outside.

InnoDrive

Otherwise known as Porsche’s adaptive cruise control. It’s linked to the navigation system, taking topography and curves into account, as well as sensing traffic around the vehicle, and keeping the car in its lane. This is optional in the 2025 Taycan.

Variable Light Control

Available with the panoramic glass roof, it can darken or lighten the glass electronically.

Plug & Charge

Plug & Charge means that as you connect to a charger, the system recognizes your Taycan and uses the credit card information on file for a simple and streamlined process.

Also read: The 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster: The 2-seater soft-top delivers driving nirvana

Range and charging

Lighter batteries, better thermal management, more capacity, and the ability to charge at higher currents are some of the changes to the 2025 Taycan. There are no official ranges yet, but we are expecting better figures than last year’s span of 206 to 248 miles (depending on the variant). We took a look at some Taycan owner forums and most of them find Porsche’s mileage estimates to be totally achievable — and occasionally over-conservative.

For comparison, the BMW i5 eDrive40 is rated for 295 miles, the Mercedes-EQ EQE sedan for 298 miles, and the Audi e-tron GT has a maximum of 249 miles. The more impressive contenders (in terms of range) are the Tesla Model S at 405 miles, and the Lucid Air Pure, the least expensive variant of which can run for 410 miles.

Porsche says that charging a Taycan battery from 10% capacity to 80% at the highest setting takes 18 minutes. That shaves off a couple of minutes, although the Taycan was already one of the faster-charging electric cars. Using a home charger with a 240-volt supply, a full recharge takes about 9.5 hours, which is fine for an overnighter.

See: 8 important facts you should know about taking a road trip in an electric car

4-year/50,000-mile warranty

Porsche’s new-vehicle warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. This includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. These arrangements are typical among European luxury vehicles.

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Safety ratings

The Taycan has not been crash-tested by any agencies in the U.S., but an independent European test program (Euro NCAP) gave the car a maximum overall score of five stars.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.