Honest feedback required - does the Taycan work as a luxury car?

[gusone]

Thank you all very much for the feedback, this is really helpful. To respond to some points:

1. The EQS is not an option, I have been to see it and it didn’t do it for me outside or in.

2. E-Tron numbers don’t work, comes out more expensive somehow. Maybe due to lower residual value (lease). I don’t think we can get Lucid in the U.K.

3. I would be getting a base Taycan with a medium spec - P+ battery, air suspension, ACC, 20” wheels, etc. I could go to a 4S but don’t think it would be worth it as I am happy with the base performance. I will add any ‘must have’ options for a comfortable drive.

You might want to upgrade the seats and also get the back massage. Seat heating definitely.

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[andix]

I am very happy with the Taycan Turbo.
It's very luxurious by my standards, but I come from sports cars mostly (plus BMW 5-series and the likes). However, there are some differences to the S-class. These mainly origin from the fact that the Taycan is an EV:

* range – you need to plan if you go hundreds of miles (e.g., can you charge at your destination)
* space
* it's pretty low, you need to be willing to live with that and use lift etc.


In summary, it's an electric sports car. For that, it's perfect to me.

 

[DerekS]

I found the Taycan to be the best road tripping car I've ever had.

The smooth performance and lack of motor drone makes it quite enjoyable at long distances.

I will soon take it on a 16 hour 1000 mile leg.

 

[Windpower]

I would be getting a base Taycan with a medium spec - P+ battery, air suspension, ACC, 20” wheels, etc.

Similar config to mine. On my RWD I added massage seats, rear axel steering, smart lift (my house is on a steep hill), ACC (which I use every day), battery plus. I added a few small options: color wheel Porsche insignias, rear view mirrors painted to match the body color. I already had a charger at home so I didn’t need any of the Porsche charging options. On my next Taycan I might get sound deadening glass.

 

[DNADoc]

I have both a 2019 MB S560e and a Taycan 4S. I agree with the above comments....The S-Class is a limousine and the Taycan is a Sports Sedan. If a smooth ride and comfortable luxurious seats are a priority, the S class is the car for you....Unbelievably smooth and stable and with adaptive cruise control makes long trips effortless.

On the other hand, the S class is not much fun to drive. It handles well for a big, heavy car but can in no way be described as nimble. I drive to LA and San Diego regularly and the Taycan is a delight for a 2-4 day strip. However, when I drive to Phoenix, 6- 7 hours) I take the Benz....

And don't forget, if you have the option you can always say "Hey Porsche, massage me."

Buck

 

[whitex]

I was looking at the new S Class but realised due to tax benefits I can get a gorgeous Taycan for about half the cost!

What tax benefits does the Taycan have over a Mercedes EQS (the latest S series EV)? Both are similar size, battery, country of origin. Has Mercedes used up some quota of tax breaks in the UK (like Tesla in the USA)?

 

[whitex]

Thank you all very much for the feedback, this is really helpful. To respond to some points:

1. The EQS is not an option, I have been to see it and it didn’t do it for me outside or in.

2. E-Tron numbers don’t work, comes out more expensive somehow. Maybe due to lower residual value (lease). I don’t think we can get Lucid in the U.K.

3. I would be getting a base Taycan with a medium spec - P+ battery, air suspension, ACC, 20” wheels, etc. I could go to a 4S but don’t think it would be worth it as I am happy with the base performance. I will add any ‘must have’ options for a comfortable drive.

Are there ANY other cars which are an option for you (Lucid, Tesla, other EV newcomers, or perhaps some old ICE tech)? If not, then you got your answer. Regardless of how well the Taycan works as a luxury car, it will have to do as your only option.

 

[D_Frost]

Thank you all very much for the feedback, this is really helpful. To respond to some points:

1. The EQS is not an option, I have been to see it and it didn’t do it for me outside or in.

2. E-Tron numbers don’t work, comes out more expensive somehow. Maybe due to lower residual value (lease). I don’t think we can get Lucid in the U.K.

3. I would be getting a base Taycan with a medium spec - P+ battery, air suspension, ACC, 20” wheels, etc. I could go to a 4S but don’t think it would be worth it as I am happy with the base performance. I will add any ‘must have’ options for a comfortable drive.

Since the RWD Taycan is on the table, you may want to consider the following options to improve the comfort / refinement characteristics:

• Air suspension (with PASM) - softens up the suspension in comfort and ability to raise (for clearance or egress) and lower (for efficiency and looks)
• Rear wheel steer icw. Power steering plus - for stability and ease of turns
• Acoustically insulated glass - extra bit of sound insulation
• Full leather interior (Olea is a bigger improvement) - better and more leather
• Seat massage icw. Ventilated seats - some like it for longer drives
• Heated seats - good for colder days
• Passenger display (if you have passengers often) - extra wow factor

I tried playing with the configurator on the GB site and the RWD does not have the ability to spec the PDCC (which in theory should improve comfort when not engaged in sporty driving) but there’s still not enough data on whether this is in fact true in the Taycan’s implementation.

 

[modular]

Had a Mercedes E-Coupé before the Taycan (that I'm still waiting for!!!) and interiors are not even close. Mercedes is and feels way premium.

 

[HypeR]

taycan and s class are very different class cars. It would be wrong to expect s class comfort from a taycan.

 

[W1NGE]

What tax benefits does the Taycan have over a Mercedes EQS (the latest S series EV)? Both are similar size, battery, country of origin. Has Mercedes used up some quota of tax breaks in the UK (like Tesla in the USA)?

None. All EVs are treated the same.

Without looking at the numbers - pricing and residuals - it's not easy to make the determination.

 

[Taycan2020]

Even more helpful feedback, thanks so much everyone. Some points to make:

• Interesting idea on the CT - I did like the idea of it but preferred the saloon’s lines, when I go to the dealer I will give it another look though
• @whitex the EQS has the same tax benefits as the Taycan, though leases tend to be more expensive due to worse residuals… I just didn’t like it! Financially it would still be an option - as would a new ICE S-Class, but if I can save 50% of the cash on the Taycan and it will still be a good tool for the job, I feel that would be a big opportunity to miss!
• Thanks for the option recommendations, I will look into these. I will stop by the dealer just to double check the comfort of the seat variants too.
• I’m not expecting the Taycan to be as luxurious as the S Class, just trying to figure out if it can do the role of comfort cruiser (act like a proper GT), and a nice cabin to spend 2-3 hours on the highway twice per week. I got an idea from the test drive, but it’s only really after some proper miles you can tell for sure.

 

[W1NGE]

Even more helpful feedback, thanks so much everyone. Some points to make:

• Interesting idea on the CT - I did like the idea of it but preferred the saloon’s lines, when I go to the dealer I will give it another look though
• @whitex the EQS has the same tax benefits as the Taycan, though leases tend to be more expensive due to worse residuals… I just didn’t like it! Financially it would still be an option - as would a new ICE S-Class, but if I can save 50% of the cash on the Taycan and it will still be a good tool for the job, I feel that would be a big opportunity to miss!
• Thanks for the option recommendations, I will look into these. I will stop by the dealer just to double check the comfort of the seat variants too.
• I’m not expecting the Taycan to be as luxurious as the S Class, just trying to figure out if it can do the role of comfort cruiser (act like a proper GT), and a nice cabin to spend 2-3 hours on the highway twice per week. I got an idea from the test drive, but it’s only really after some proper miles you can tell for sure.

FWIW I travel to Edinburgh from Aberdeen most weekends - 252 mile round trip - just as comfortable as my Pana ST ever was (this car has been compared to the Bentley for refinement).

Go for the Taycan - you won’t be disappointed. Depending on model variant and config be prepared to wait until late 2023 unless you go 2nd hand. ST is probably more suited than CT if you don’t want the saloon or have a need for soft roading.. ST / CT are more practical in terms of rear boot access (not great on saloon) but overall same useable space.

 

[gusone]

What tax benefits does the Taycan have over a Mercedes EQS (the latest S series EV)? Both are similar size, battery, country of origin. Has Mercedes used up some quota of tax breaks in the UK (like Tesla in the USA)?

In the UK the government lowered the company car tax for EVs to 1% this year rising to 2% next year. Since one has to pay tax at their rate for company cars as they are perceived a benefit you pay 1% tax instead of 40%-60% (the dreaded taper is 60%). So leased through the company you get the lease on average after sacrificed National Insurance around 50% off. There is not cost to the company. Every company HR department should be offering this perk. My firm has signed up loads. Mainly Tesla's. I got my Taycan with https://octopusev.com/cars?msclkid=...nd&utm_term=octopus ev cars&utm_content=Brand.

 

[McgR]

FWIW I travel to Edinburgh from Aberdeen most weekends - 252 mile round trip - just as comfortable as my Pana ST ever was (this car has been compared to the Bentley for refinement).

Go for the Taycan - you won’t be disappointed. Depending on model variant and config be prepared to wait until late 2023 unless you go 2nd hand. ST is probably more suited than CT if you don’t want the saloon or have a need for soft roading.. ST / CT are more practical in terms of rear boot access (not great on saloon) but overall same useable space.

The ST has the same height and dampers as the sedan and will only give the benefit of the trunk. The CT is a bit higher and has a bit more comfortable oriented damping. So for comfort this might become the best choice. I decided to paint the wheel arches on the CT.

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