2024 Porsche Taycan 4S Review

In recent years, Malaysia's pure electric supercar market is no longer exclusive to a few flagship models. More and more brands are starting to focus on a niche segment that balances "performance and practicality"—aiming not only for Porsche's iconic driving pleasure but also to meet daily commuting needs in terms of range and space. The 2024 Taycan 4S is precisely aimed at filling this gap. With its 544PS dual-motor power, an official range of 557km, and Porsche’s signature chassis tuning, the core purpose of our test drive this time is to verify whether it can handle both the fervor of the track and family outings.

At first glance, the Taycan 4S’s classic Porsche fastback silhouette easily evokes the 911, but its all-electric identity grants it unique details. The front does away with the traditional grille, replaced by a blacked-out closed front bumper, paired with sharp LED daytime running lights on both sides, making it highly recognizable; the side profile of the vehicle has smooth lines, with an arc extending from the A-pillar to the rear, reducing drag. The 19-inch wheels (front 225/55 R19, rear 275/45 R19) enhance the sporty feel; the rear’s through-type LED taillights follow Porsche's family design, creating a striking effect when lit up. The small ducktail spoiler on the trunk provides slight downforce at high speeds. The overall design retains the brand’s DNA without being overly ostentatious.

Sitting inside, the Taycan 4S continues Porsche's sense of refinement in its interior. The dashboard is wrapped in large areas of soft-touch materials, paired with piano black panels, delivering all the premium tactile sensations you'd expect; the center console adopts a three-screen design—featuring a 10.9-inch main touchscreen for navigation and multimedia, a 7-inch touchscreen below for climate control, and a 16.8-inch fully digital instrument panel with a clear interface that supports customization. The front seats are electrically adjustable, offering good support and comfort for long drives without fatigue; the rear seats support split-folding, making it more flexible when occasionally loading large items. In terms of configuration, features like keyless entry, Bose 14-speaker audio, and independent rear air conditioning are all standard, meeting daily needs with no problem. However, note that HUD head-up display and automatic parking need to be selected as additional options.

As for space performance, the Taycan 4S boasts a wheelbase of 2900mm. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable position, the rear offers about two fists’ worth of legroom. Due to the fastback design, headroom is slightly limited, but a 175cm tall passenger won’t find their head touching the roof when seated. Storage capacity is not particularly impressive—the front central armrest box and door panel pockets can hold small items, while the trunk has a regular volume of 407L, which can be expanded to 1171L with the rear seats folded down, enough to fit a baby stroller or suitcases.

The powertrain is the Taycan 4S’s core highlight, with dual permanent magnet synchronous motors delivering a total power output of 400kW (544PS) and torque of 695N·m, achieving an official 0-100km/h acceleration in 3.7 seconds. In actual driving, pressing the accelerator produces an instant burst of power, with a direct and continuous sense of push. Even during high-speed overtaking, there’s still plenty of reserve power when you press down harder. Switching to Sport mode makes the power delivery more aggressive, and the steering wheel becomes heavier, suitable for scenarios demanding driving pleasure. For daily commuting, Comfort mode is sufficient, as it provides smoother and less abrupt power output.

The handling performance is in line with Porsche's standards. The steering wheel is precise with almost no play, and you can clearly feel the direction of the front wheels when cornering. The chassis adopts a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, which is tuned for sportiness but not to the point of being harsh. It can filter out most bumps when passing over speed bumps, while maintaining body stability in corners with well-controlled body roll. The minimum ground clearance of 127mm is sufficient for speed bumps or slightly rough urban roads, but it's not recommended for off-road adventures.

In terms of range and energy efficiency, our test drive was mainly conducted on city roads with occasional highway driving. The air conditioning was on, and music was playing throughout the journey. The final range completion rate was approximately 85%, meaning that the official range of 557km translates to an actual range of around 470km. The energy consumption was 18.2kWh per 100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 17.3kWh, but this is within the normal range. Fast charging takes 0.3 hours (10%-80%), so there's not much waiting time for charging outside. Slow charging, however, takes 10.5 hours, which is more suitable for overnight home charging.

In terms of driving and riding comfort, the Taycan 4S performs commendably. Cabin insulation is well-done, with wind and tire noise kept at an acceptable level even at high speeds. The seat padding is of moderate firmness, with adequate lumbar support, ensuring comfort during extended periods of sitting. The energy recovery system is adjustable in three levels. In the lowest setting, it feels almost like a fuel-powered car with no obvious drag sensation, making it easy for beginners to adapt.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2024 Taycan 4S are obvious: powerful performance and precise handling, while offering enough range and space for daily family use, with a fairly balanced configuration. Compared to its class rival, the Tesla Model S, the Taycan 4S excels in chassis tuning and brand quality. Although its price (RM 675,000) is slightly higher, its overall product strength remains competitive. When compared to the Audi e-tron GT, its acceleration performance and brand premium are more appealing.

This car is suitable for two types of consumers: one is those who love driving and seek performance while needing to accommodate family trips; the other is those who value brand quality and want a "Porsche that can be driven daily." It is neither a pure track toy nor a car solely focused on range metrics. Instead, it is a "balanced" all-electric sports sedan — one that can bring driving pleasure on weekends and also fulfill weekday commuting and family travel needs.

Overall, the 2024 Taycan 4S perfectly interprets "Porsche-style electrification." It retains the brand's sporty genes while compensating for the practical shortcomings of electric vehicles, making it a worthwhile choice in its class.