2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Review

Nowadays, the number of choices in the luxury electric vehicle market in Malaysia is steadily increasing. However, finding a model that balances everyday practicality with the driving DNA of a sports car brand is not easy. The 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S, as a pure electric four-door coupe under the brand, targets high-end user groups that pursue a balance between performance and practicality. Its core selling points include the Porsche-tuned all-wheel-drive system, a combined horsepower of 530PS, and a range performance that is relatively more suitable for daily use compared to models in the same class. In this test drive, we focused on experiencing its overall performance in urban commuting, highway cruising, and mountain road driving to see if this "electric Porsche" truly delivers both the brand's character and everyday usability.

From an exterior perspective, the Taycan 4S continues Porsche’s family-style sporty coupe silhouette, with an overall low-slung and sleek design. The body dimensions are 4963mm×1966mm×1379mm, with a wheelbase of 2900mm, showcasing a typical mid-to-large-sized four-door coupe proportion. The most striking feature of the front face is the through-type LED daytime running lights, paired with sharp front headlight clusters on both sides, offering high recognition; the blackened front bumper intake enhances the sporty feel. The waistline on the car’s side extends from the front fender to the rear, complemented by 19-inch wheels (front 225/55 R19, rear 275/45 R19), further emphasizing the low center of gravity visually. The rear features a through-type LED taillight that echoes the front face, while the small duck-tail design on the trunk lid is a classic Porsche sporty element. The overall appearance retains the brand’s recognition while incorporating electric design elements to highlight its new energy identity.

Inside, the Taycan 4S adopts Porsche's iconic "driver-focused cockpit" layout. The center console is equipped with a 10.9-inch touch screen, with an additional touch panel below for controlling the air conditioning and vehicle settings. Physical buttons are significantly reduced, creating a simple yet highly technological style. The interior materials mainly consist of soft leather and piano lacquer, with aluminum alloy accents in some areas for added luxury. The seats are designed with a sporty feel, offering good support, and the front seats come with electric adjustment. Being a four-door model, the rear passenger space is up to expectations. A passenger of 175cm height can sit in the rear with about two fists of legroom, though the headroom is slightly constrained due to the sloping roofline, but it is sufficient for daily use. In terms of storage space, the front trunk has a capacity of approximately 81 liters, while the rear trunk offers 407 liters, adequate for daily commuting or short trips. Both the front and rear rows are equipped with USB-C ports and air conditioning vents, showing decent practicality.

In terms of power, the Taycan 4S is equipped with front and rear dual motors, delivering a combined maximum horsepower of 530PS and peak torque of 640N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 4 seconds. During actual driving, the power response in the start-up phase is very immediate. Pressing down the accelerator pedal provides a strong pushback sensation. Even in Economy mode, the power output is sufficiently smooth, making overtaking in urban commutes effortless. Switching to Sport mode results in more aggressive power output, with strong and smooth acceleration even at high-speed cruising. The acceleration from 100-160km/h is seamless and powerful. The all-wheel-drive system shows stable performance on slippery roads, providing very strong traction.

The handling performance is one of the highlights of the Taycan 4S. The steering wheel is precise with minimal play, and drivers can clearly feel road feedback while driving, which aligns with Porsche's tuning style. The chassis features front and rear air suspension. During daily driving, the suspension can absorb most road bumps, maintaining excellent comfort. On mountain roads, switching to Sport mode hardens the suspension, and the body roll is extremely well-controlled. The stability during cornering is impressive. As for the braking system, the front and rear ventilated disc brakes provide ample stopping power, the brake pedal feedback is linear, and there’s a great sense of safety.

In terms of range and energy consumption, the official pure electric range is 461 km, and the battery capacity is 79.2 kWh. In our test under mixed conditions (30% city, 70% highway), with the air conditioning set at 23°C, the average energy consumption was about 22 kWh/100 km, with an actual range achievement rate of approximately 85%. At 120 km/h highway cruising speed, the energy consumption is slightly higher at around 25 kWh/100 km. However, the overall performance meets the expectations of a high-end electric coupe. Regarding charging, it supports fast charging functionality, though we did not test the fast charging speed during this test drive.

When it comes to driving comfort, the Taycan 4S delivers an impressive performance. The noise insulation is excellent; at 120 km/h highway cruising speed, wind noise and road noise are kept within reasonable limits. The seats strike a good balance between support and wrapping, ensuring that long-distance driving doesn't easily cause fatigue. The energy recovery system has three levels of adjustability. The highest level of energy recovery feels similar to one-pedal driving, reducing the need to brake frequently during daily driving and enhancing convenience. The lowest level mimics the coasting experience of gasoline cars, catering to different driving preferences.

Overall, the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S's core strengths lie in Porsche's tuned driving dynamics, strong power output, and a four-door design and range performance that are relatively more practical compared to other vehicles in the same class. Compared to the Model S Plaid, its power metrics are slightly lower, but its handling and chassis quality exude a more luxurious brand tone. Compared to the EQS 53, it has a stronger focus on sporty characteristics, making it more suitable for users who enjoy driving.

This car offers a well-balanced performance, capable of meeting both the comfort and practicality needs of urban commuting and providing Porsche-unique driving pleasure on mountain roads or highways. It is mainly suited for high-end users aged 35-45, a demographic that seeks brand prestige and driving experience while also needing a four-door model that can cater to everyday family use.

In summary, the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S is a "no-compromise" electric Porsche—it retains the brand's sporty DNA while enhancing everyday practicality through electrification. If you're looking for a pure electric car that satisfies status appeal while delivering driving pleasure, the Taycan 4S is an excellent choice.