I test-drove the pure electric sports sedan Taycan and the sport-utility vehicle (SUV) Macan Electric from Porsche. The body types differ, but both models stood out for quiet yet explosive acceleration, and the sense of speed that held steady without wobble at high speeds was impressive. The Taycan was the GTS, and the Macan was the top trim Turbo model, with output and zero-to-62 mph (time to accelerate from a standstill to 100 kph) improved over the previous models.
Through the third quarter this year, Porsche's electrified (electric-powered) vehicles, including electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), accounted for 35.2% of sales, up 12.8 percentage points from a year earlier. Of that, the pure electric Taycan and Macan EV made up 23.1%.
The test drives took place in Jeju and Seoul. In Jeju, I drove more than 170 kilometers across inland, mountain, and coastal roads. The route mixed high-speed straights with winding sections of gentle climbs and descents, and unpaved stretches with uneven surfaces. In Seoul, I drove on city streets with variable traffic, arterials, and expressways.
The Taycan's exterior overlaps the sports car 911 and the four-door sedan Panamera. It sits flat to the ground, giving it a sharper look than a typical sedan. Compared with internal combustion models, the squared-off front and headlamps, the "Electric" logo engraved on the side, and the rear exhaust outlets were different.
Inside, the abundance of large displays creates a distinctly futuristic vibe. The driver's digital instrument panel stretches long in a curved shape, and the center of the dashboard, the center console, and even in front of the passenger are all touchscreens. It has four doors, but the second row feels cramped.
The Taycan GTS produces a maximum output of 515 kilowatts (kW), or 700 horsepower, and its zero-to-62 mph is 3.3 seconds, 0.4 second faster than the previous model. Pressing the accelerator brought a quiet yet immediate response. Even at high speeds, the sense of speed did not sag in the middle and stayed consistent. Turning on the Electric Sport Sound feature plays Porsche's made "vroom" virtual engine exhaust note, but it is far from Porsche's signature thunderous exhaust.
Perhaps because it is an SUV, the Macan Turbo falls short of the Taycan in the distinct electric-car punch and sharpness. It delivers 639 horsepower and does zero to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds. Unlike the Taycan, whose low-slung body makes underbody vibrations fairly noticeable depending on driving conditions, the Macan maintained an overall comfortable and plush ride. The cabin space is also relatively ample, making it fairly practical.
In appearance, the front end carries Porsche's signature design, but the rear lacks character. When the horizontally stretched taillamps light up, it can resemble other brands' EV models. The body measures 4,874 millimeters in length, 1,938 millimeters in width, 1,621 millimeters in height, and 2,893 millimeters in wheelbase. Except for height, it is larger than Hyundai's midsize SUV Santa Fe (length 4,830, width 1,900, height 1,720–1,780, wheelbase 2,815 millimeters).
The Taycan GTS and Macan Turbo start at 227.3 million won and 138.5 million won, respectively. While they do carry forward the brand's dynamic driving performance, it is uncertain whether buyers seeking high-performance cars in the 100 million–200 million won range will choose EVs. On a full charge, the Taycan GTS has a driving range of 425 kilometers and the Macan Turbo 429 kilometers. Combined efficiency is higher for the Macan Turbo (4.0 kilometers/kWh) than for the Taycan GTS (3.2 kilometers/kWh).