2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo Review

Nowadays, Malaysia's luxury electric vehicle market is gradually heating up. Consumers seek both the sense of identity brought by brands and the technological experience and performance of electric vehicles. As Porsche's first fully electric four-door coupe, the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo accurately taps into the luxury mid-size electric car segment. Its core selling point lies in the combination of Porsche's iconic handling performance with the instant torque output of electric vehicles, while also considering daily practicality. The main purpose of this test drive is to verify whether this million-level electric coupe can simultaneously satisfy performance enthusiasts' driving desires and meet the daily needs of family users.

At first glance, it's hard not to be captivated by the coupe stance of the 2019 Taycan Turbo. The overall design continues the Porsche family's sporty genes, with a low-slung body and sleek fastback lines that not only ensure aerodynamic efficiency but also enhance its sense of performance. The front face features four-point LED daytime running lights as the most recognizable element, complemented by a closed lower grille, emphasizing its identity as an electric vehicle. The side air vents are not very large but effectively optimize airflow during high-speed driving. Along the body side, the 20-inch wheels are designed with staggered front and rear specifications, with front tires measuring 245/45 R20 and rear tires 285/40 R20. The wide tires, combined with the short front overhang, visually enhance stability. At the rear, the continuous LED tail lights have a high level of recognition when illuminated at night, and the rear diffuser design echoes its performance positioning.

Sitting inside, the Taycan Turbo's interior retains Porsche's driver-centered layout while incorporating the high-tech feel of an electric vehicle. The center console features an upper and lower dual-touchscreen design, with the 10.9-inch upper central screen handling navigation, multimedia, and other core functions, while the 7-inch lower touchscreen controls the air conditioning and seat adjustments. The operation logic is clear, and the touch response is sensitive. Interior materials primarily include genuine leather and aluminum alloy, while parts of the door panels and dashboard are wrapped in soft materials, providing the luxurious tactile feel one would expect. The seats feature a sporty design with strong lateral support. The front seats support electric adjustments and heating functionality, ensuring comfort during long drives without fatigue.

In terms of space, the Taycan Turbo's dimensions are 4963mm in length, 1966mm in width, and 1381mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2900mm. Despite being positioned as a coupe, the front and rear space is consistent with mid-sized car standards. When the front driving seat is adjusted to a suitable seating position, the rear row still has about two fists of legroom. Due to the fastback design, headroom is slightly compressed, but a 175cm passenger can still sit without their head hitting the ceiling. Regarding storage space, the front trunk offers about 81L of capacity, while the rear trunk provides 407L, sufficient for daily commuting or short trips. Door pockets and the center armrest box offer adequate space for personal items, and the rear row is equipped with independent air vents and USB-C ports, ensuring practicality.

The Taycan Turbo is equipped with dual motors at the front and rear, delivering a combined maximum power of 634PS and an official 0-100km/h acceleration of 3.2 seconds. During actual driving, switching to Sport mode and pressing the accelerator pedal deeply results in nearly no lag in power output. The sense of pushback is sustained from the start to mid and high speeds, and overtaking can be accomplished with just a light press of the pedal, providing great confidence. Even in Normal mode, the power response is brisk enough to meet the needs of daily city driving. The steering is precise, with minimal play. At low speeds, it feels relatively light, while at high speeds, it gradually becomes heavier, in line with Porsche's handling calibration style. The chassis features an air suspension that supports height and stiffness adjustments. In Comfort mode, minor road bumps are effectively filtered out for comfort; when switched to Sport+ mode, the suspension stiffens, controlling body roll well during cornering and maintaining stability through consecutive bends.

In terms of range, the WLTP range of the Taycan Turbo is 450km. In actual tests, the range attainment rate in urban conditions is about 85%, while cruising at 120km/h on the highway reduces the range to about 75%. Overall, the performance meets expectations. As for energy consumption, urban commuting requires about 22kWh/100km, and highway cruising uses about 28kWh/100km. For charging, it supports a maximum 270kW fast charge, allowing it to go from 5% to 80% in just 22 minutes, making daily recharging convenient.

Noise control is done well; during low-speed driving, motor noise is almost inaudible. Wind noise and tire noise increase slightly at high speeds, but remain within an acceptable range. The seat's support and wrapping perform outstandingly during long drives, ensuring no fatigue even after 3 consecutive hours of driving. Energy recuperation has three adjustable levels, with the highest level offering a recovery force close to one-pedal driving mode, which can reduce brake usage and improve efficiency in daily driving.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo lies in its "balance of performance and luxury." Compared to a Tesla Model S Plaid in the same class, the Taycan Turbo has a more refined handling setup and highlights its sense of luxury. Compared to the Audi e-tron GT, it stands out with its brand premium and performance. Despite a price close to one million yuan, it satisfies performance enthusiasts’ pursuit of speed while also considering the practical needs of family users.

This car is best suited for two types of people: one is young consumers who love driving and seek brand and performance. They appreciate the Taycan Turbo’s acceleration capability and handling refinement. The second group comprises those with a certain budget who need to balance business and family use, for whom its luxurious interior and practical space cater to various scenarios.

In summary, the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo is not just an electric car relying solely on the brand; it uses its actual performance to prove that "an electric Porsche is still a Porsche" — combining the technology and efficiency of electric vehicles with the driving pleasure and sense of luxury of the internal combustion engine era. It stands as a strong competitor in the luxury pure electric sports sedan market.