2025 Porsche Taycan First Drive Review: How does 938 hp sound?

SEVILLE, Spain – When the Porsche Taycan debuted in 2020, it was a revelation. At the time, its closest all-electric rival was the Tesla Model S – the Taycan was also ridiculously quick, but represented a more complete package with sharp handling, trustworthy brakes and more repeatable performance. In the time since, the related Audi E-Tron GT and more luxurious alternatives such as the Mercedes EQS, EQE, and Lucid Air have mounted challenges, but none have touched the Taycan in terms of holistic performance. Doing so would likely mean adding an extra digit to the price tag by opting for niche EVs from Rimac or Pininfarina.

That certainly doesn't mean Porsche could rest on its laurels though, and for 2025, the Taycan gets a significant refresh, and we're not talking about just a minor styling update. No, the new Taycans are more powerful, have greater range, and are quicker both in a straight line and when recharging, ensuring that its current and future rivals will struggle to keep up.

From the outside, the 2025 Porsche Taycan retains its sleek and curvaceous body. The changes are subtle, with the most noticeable difference being the revised air inlets in the front fascia for most models. The new scoops are more conventional instead of the previous vertical slash that ran from the edge of the headlights down. Turbo models continue with the vertical inlet, though with a new angular inset panel that sharpens the face. This alteration, along with many more unseen ones, aren't just for aesthetics. They offer minor aerodynamic improvements that contribute to a larger increase in efficiency and range.

Original front-end design on a GTS and the revised design for 2025

As before, the rear-drive Taycan and all-wheel-drive Taycan 4S are available with two battery options, both of which are upgraded for 2025. The standard Performance goes up to 89 kilowatt-hours (previously 70), while the optional Performance Plus now crosses the triple-digit threshold at 105 kWh (previously 93). Range estimates were not available for the standard battery, but Porsche claims the rear-drive/Performance Plus combo now travels 35% further for a total of 421 miles when using the optimistic