A Taycan GTS owner drives a Taycan base model loaner - comparison observations

[j.w.s]

My Taycan GTS is in for an update and the battery sealing test, and I was given a base model Taycan loaner with 900 miles on the odometer. My comparison between the two might help a new buyer evaluate their options.

The dealer loaner car is a base model with the larger battery, air suspension, standard brakes, and 21" rims with the same P0 summer tires as my GTS. Unlike my GTS, the loaner has no Sport Chrono, no rear-wheel steering, no torque vectoring, and no PDCC.

Some impressions:

• The steering feel in the base model is a bit better than the GTS I think. The car also "feels" a bit lighter - and of course it is. Those are the two high points for the base model.
• Oh boy is the base model slow. It's definitely OK for relaxed driving, and yes it's better than many non-EVs, but it's just underpowered for anything with a Porsche badge. If someone says that the 4S is "fast enough" I won't argue, but the base model is objectively underpowered.
• The GTS air suspension is definitely firmer than the base model with air suspension. I prefer the GTS, but of course I'd say that.
• The GTS, perhaps because of the suspension tuning and perhaps also because of PDCC and torque vectoring and rear-wheel steering, feels quite a bit more "planted" than the base. I really notice the difference. Remember that the two cars have the same size rims and the same tires, and both have air suspension, so it's the extra bits that are making a difference.
• The loaner does not have the thermal/noise glass, nor does it have the race-tex headliner. The former, or perhaps both in combination, give the base model noticeably more road noise than my GTS with both.
• I don't know if the seats are 8-way or 14-way, but they aren't the 18-way seats that I have in the GTS. The 18-ways are definitely way more snug, and for my body type that's a big plus for them. The loner seats just don't feel very sporty, though they are comfortable. Someone on the wide side would almost certainly prefer the 14-way seats.

Another forum member recently added their experience as well:
https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/threads/base-loaner-vs-gts.19175/

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[SergeyIndy]

Really nice review and share the same about the Base on the performance side as you need to get it up to speed to get it going, but handling was noticeably more agile than a 4S due to weight. I also felt that 4S a little heavy going up on highway ramps. Good to know that you can tell the difference having RWS/PTV+/PDCC on your GTS as many point out that PTV+ and PDCC may be only good for the track, I disagree. So, what do you know, after driving Base and 4S loaners on long trips to test the driving and charging, comparing different build costs, all the signs led me to stretch much further for the no compromise Turbo, and got a second job to afford one. Loving every moment, carving our town, effortlessly, with the world record of roundabouts, so PTV+ and PDCC work overtime and hopefully sending some complain data back to the mothership about how tired they are. I paid full price, but not worried about depreciation and new refresh, as I got it exactly what I wanted, keeping it a long time, and not seeing what they can improve on from the driving side to top it in a meaningful to me way, but they will ding the looks of it with the refresh, guaranteed...are they hiding bumper headlamps from the refresh mules?

 

[violuma]

I think it's wonderful that Porsche allows so much in the way of detailed customization that all of us can prioritize exactly what is important to us.

 

[XLR82XS]

Check the seat controls to determine 8 or 14 functions.

 

[007]

So if I’m reading the tea leaves correctly, I shouldn’t be regretting getting the Turbo S

 

[andb]

5 sec to 60 is slower than much cheaper BMW i4, really wonder why Porsche decided to detune the RWD motor so much. I guess more power would make it more fun and probably lower 4S sales.
After first winter with Taycan Turbo I would trade the power for more range but has to be fun.

 

[HerrCooles]

All-wheel drive or not, that is certainly the biggest difference too.

 

[Pinballplanet]

I just got my 2022 4S CT back after driving a 2024 base loaner (with just 300 mile on the odo) for 3 days. As others have noted, the base model feels slow by comparison. The 21" wheels & tires on the loaner seemed a little bit louder than my 20's but the ride was fine. I did not like the sport sound and am glad I didn't get it. The full leather seating felt softer to me (and smelled great) compared to my standard interior, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay the extra $4,700 for it. I missed having my massage seats and night vision. Lack of 4WS was noticeable; not a deal breaker but I'm glad I have it. The heater in the loaner worked great, but thankfully mine is working again now

 

[24Neptune]

So I will preface with, I have never timed my cars, but my last car, a 23 BMW 840 was supposed to be 4.7 0-60 and based on other cars I’ve driven I would say at least that quick, but my RWD T feels faster than that and more than a few YT reviewers have said it definitely feels faster than 5 sec.

And the RWD rides better than any car I’ve ever driven even in Sport or Sport Plus. The standard adaptive suspension is excellent, better than BMW. It corners effortlessly and like it’s literally on rails even at higher speeds and the grip is ridiculous. I do not have acoustic glass, but have no noticeable wind noise on the motorways.

We drove a couple of Macans recently and walked away very disappointed. Wondering where are these Porsche driving dynamics people are always going on about?! Found out that wasn’t just hype in the first test drive of the T.

The other T variants are likely better than the RWD in some areas, but coming from someone who’s had or driven sports sedans or coupes from all other German brands, the T is the best of this vehicle genre and I don’t think one has to spend 4S+ money to get a supremely awesome vehicle in the T.

I will admit it’s entirely possible I’m not objective here, but I’m not sure the OP or others who have pricier T variants are either. I‘m not saying this is true for anyone, but would be hard to admit I spent upwards of $150k for a vehicle that I could have obtained 80-90% of for <$120k.

P.S. I was just saying to hubby the other day how nice it is to be on a forum with people who have the higher performance models and not have them create posts explaining why their model is better than the “base” model. Oh well, that honeymoon is over.

 

[DerekS]

My Taycan GTS is in for an update and the battery sealing test, and I was given a base model Taycan loaner with 900 miles on the odometer. My comparison between the two might help a new buyer evaluate their options.

The dealer loaner car is a base model with the larger battery, air suspension, standard brakes, and 21" rims with the same P0 summer tires as my GTS. Unlike my GTS, the loaner has no Sport Chrono, no rear-wheel steering, no torque vectoring, and no PDCC.

Some impressions:

• The steering feel in the base model is a bit better than the GTS I think. The car also "feels" a bit lighter - and of course it is. Those are the two high points for the base model.
• Oh boy is the base model slow. It's definitely OK for relaxed driving, and yes it's better than many non-EVs, but it's just underpowered for anything with a Porsche badge. If someone says that the 4S is "fast enough" I won't argue, but the base model is objectively underpowered.
• The GTS air suspension is definitely firmer than the base model with air suspension. I prefer the GTS, but of course I'd say that.
• The GTS, perhaps because of the suspension tuning and perhaps also because of PDCC and torque vectoring and rear-wheel steering, feels quite a bit more "planted" than the base. I really notice the difference. Remember that the two cars have the same size rims and the same tires, and both have air suspension, so it's the extra bits that are making a difference.
• The loaner does not have the thermal/noise glass, nor does it have the race-tex headliner. The former, or perhaps both in combination, give the base model noticeably more road noise than my GTS with both.
• I don't know if the seats are 8-way or 14-way, but they aren't the 18-way seats that I have in the GTS. The 18-ways are definitely way more snug, and for my body type that's a big plus for them. The loner seats just don't feel very sporty, though they are comfortable. Someone on the wide side would almost certainly prefer the 14-way seats.

I agree with all your points having gone from Base->GTS.
I strongly suspect the base is software-limited, because off the line performance was sluggish but “rolling” throttle performance was great.

 

[Redhot2474]

5 sec to 60 is slower than much cheaper BMW i4, really wonder why Porsche decided to detune the RWD motor so much. I guess more power would make it more fun and probably lower 4S sales.
After first winter with Taycan Turbo I would trade the power for more range but has to be fun.

Agreed, if I’m paying 100k for a car and I get 1990’s acceleration, im pisssed

 

[StevenB]

I agree with most of the things written here, even if I am biased as a RWD driver. It seems logical that you get some return on the 50k you need to spend extra to get the GTS version. Porsche did have to detune the RWD and limited the power output in the first few meters off the line, otherwise it would have the same acceleration as a 4S and make that hard to sell. Once rolling, the RWD feels really fast and not underpowered at all, while having the best steering feel and range of all Taycans. The one thing I am not too impressed with on my RWD are the brakes when performing an emergency stop. I wonder if this is better on the higher end models as they are also heavier with 4WD. All in all still very happy with my choice, to me the RWD is a great car for the money and debadged it looks like a Turbo S

 

[Grayblack]

Thanks for the comparison. I haven't driven the base version, but makes sense that is it detuned vs the GTS.

 

[Fish Fingers]

I've got (and am very happy with) my RWD.

Its not slow once it's up and running. But it's not that fast (comparatively) off the mark.

It definitely feels software limited from a standing start.
But if it's at all wet or icy, I wouldn't really want any extra power without AWD as it could be a handful.
So maybe that's why the RWD is limited off the line?

I also think that on narrow UK roads, with all the size and weight of the Taycan and the cr@p weather, I wouldn't want more performance.
I would far sooner have less size / weight tbh.

 

[MarkR]

I have a CT4, and so, not the performance of the higher models, but I am really pleased with the performance I know I have available, bearing in mind most journeys are relaxing and sedate, just enjoying the comfort and smoothness of the car. Of course, the higher models would have more performance and higher specifications, but I never think I am missing anything. I am just pleased to have such a great car.

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