Taycan: Closer to the 911 than the Panamera

Actually, before and after this Taycan test drive, we also drove the same circuit in a 911 Carrera S and a Panamera GTS. Based on that, what kind of car is the Taycan? Contrary to thinking it’s closer to the Panamera, my impression is that it’s overwhelmingly closer to the 911.

I recall a staff member at a Taycan exhibition mentioning that it feels similar to the 911 Carrera 4S, and after driving and comparing, I completely agree.

After the test drive, I had a chance to talk with Alex from Porsche Japan. When I said right away, “The feel is more like the 911 than the Panamera,” he smiled broadly and said, “Exactly!” That left a strong impression on me.

To be more specific, it’s not just about acceleration or power, but the chassis behavior and tuning are very similar. The dense, packed feeling inside the 992-generation 911’s body and the richness of its driving experience are truly alike. The way it behaves in Sport mode when pushing hard through circuit corners, the minimal roll, and the low center of gravity are major reasons for this similarity.

So, how does it differ from the Panamera GTS? The difference is especially noticeable in cornering feel. Compared to the Taycan and 911, the Panamera feels a bit taller in the hips, and its chassis feels less dense and packed.

I particularly noticed this difference in the front outer tire’s contact feel.

It’s a matter of sensation, but compared to the tightly packed feel of the 911 and Taycan, the Panamera feels like it has a slight gap inside. I believe this is intentional tuning to fulfill its role as a luxury sedan, but although the Panamera and Taycan look similar, their driving experiences are quite different.

So what kind of car is the Taycan positioned as? Judging by the compact rear seats, it’s not really a car designed for carrying passengers. That role is left to the higher-end Panamera. The Taycan seems to be positioned as a personal sedan — more for commuting, shopping, and short drives, rather than a family car.

If I were to get a Taycan, I think I would use it more like a 911 than as a replacement for a Panamera or Cayenne. Mostly driving alone for commuting or weekend drives, enjoying the incredible handling created by the electric motor’s power and ultra-low center of gravity chassis.

What I felt from this test drive is that while the Taycan’s power and 0-100 km/h acceleration times stand out, its true appeal lies in its chassis performance. If you have the chance to test drive one in the future, I highly recommend focusing on the chassis and its feel.