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After Ownership : Taycan vs Audi RS E-Tron GT

9J1_JJ

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I was an early adopter of the Taycan. After 2-Tesla Model S 100PD. I had a Taycan 4S in gorgeous Frozen Blue, and then a CT wagon 4 in Neptune bl

this year, I felt like doing something different. Stumbled over the RS E-Tron GT - got a smashing deal on a stunning car and said let’s go with it. I’m finally ready to offer a detailed comparison between it and my previous Porsche Taycan. I’ve had enough time to let emotions settle, and now I can look at things from an objective standpoint. Here is my November post. When I purchased the Audi

Initial Thoughts (From November)

When I first bought the Audi, I really wanted to love it more than the Taycan. I had high hopes because the Audi promised to be a fantastic alternative, but, in the end, I found that it’s simply nowhere close to the most important thing for me: soul. The Porsche Taycan has soul, and that is a feeling I just couldn’t get from the Audi. The Audi is luxury. So for you, it might be perfect.

I’ve come from multiple Teslas and then transitioned into the Taycan 4S sedan, followed by the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo. This journey has given me a lot of perspective on what truly matters in an EV and a daily driver for me. Hope you find this helpful if you looking to compare the two or move from one to the other - here’s where the Audi RS e-tron GT shines—and where it doesn’t quite live up to the Porsche.

What I Like About the Audi RS e-tron GT

1. Charging Performance:


One of the standout features of the Audi RS e-tron GT is the charging experience. The charging speed is superior to that of the Taycan, particularly at Electrify America stations. There have been zero issues, and the car consistently charges quickly. In comparison, the Porsche has struggled with charging reliability, and I’ve encountered problems 95% of the time at EA. So much, that I would pull out one of my 911z ( water or Air-cooled for La to SF or SD business trips ) …

2. Interior Design:

The interior design of the Audi is nothing short of stunning. It’s sleek, modern, and doesn’t look like a concept car that’s still in development. While interior design is subjective, I find the Audi’s to be a beautiful space to be in—minimalistic, yet premium.

3. Lease Payments and Value:

Let’s talk numbers. The Audi offers exceptional value for money. You’re getting a car that sits between the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S, but at literally half the monthly payment of a Taycan 4S. Porsche’s finance terms are brutal, and the Audi gives a much better deal, making it far more affordable in the EV luxury segment. To get a lease of $900 / month, is brilliant. The cheapest 4S loaded car, in similar MSRP pricing will land you in the $1800 - $2200 I think … even now with how the EV market is doing now. Although, I learned that awesome deals can be made on the 2024.

4. Performance:

The Audi RS e-tron GT is undeniably fast and powerful. The launch control is thrilling, and the car performs incredibly well. It’s a confident ride, and although it doesn’t drive quite like the Taycan, it holds its own in the performance department.

Why I Prefer the Taycan

While the Audi impresses in many ways, the Taycan remains my top choice for a few key reasons:

1. Comfort and Ergonomics:

I have a lower back injury, and comfort is paramount for me. Unfortunately, the Audi’s seats, especially the leather bolsters, are too stiff for me. I’ve found the edges around my thighs to be unforgiving, and I can’t adjust them in a way that works for my body. The leather feels rigid, and after an hour or so behind the wheel, I’m uncomfortable. On the other hand, the Taycan’s 18-way adjustable seats have ample give, and even when my back is flaring up, the Taycan still feels comfortable to drive. We are talking LA highway traffic type of driving. The Audi caused me back pain and body stiffness on daily basis.

The Audi’s ergonomics leave something to be desired. For instance, the window buttons and touch screen feel too far out of reach for comfort. I can never quite find the ideal position for long drives. After nearly 3,000 miles, I still can’t get comfortable in the Audi no matter how I adjust the seat. For me, this is a dealbreaker—comfort matters, and the Taycan wins hands down. Always felt cratered in the Taycan, lower center of gravity and truly gorgeous feel.

2. Suspension and Handling:

The Audi’s suspension, while firm, just doesn’t compare to the Taycan’s. The RS e-tron GT feels like it rides higher, and while it handles dynamically without much body roll, it doesn’t provide the same level of steering feedback or precision. The Porsche Taycan, with its low center of gravity and tight handling, drives like a 911. The steering is incredibly sharp, and it delivers a level of driving satisfaction that the Audi, despite its strengths, can’t quite match. The Taycan is just a more engaging car to drive on twisty roads and in spirited driving situations.

Final Thoughts:

In summary, while the Audi RS e-tron GT excels in certain areas—particularly in charging performance, interior design, luxurious driving and value—it falls short for me when it comes to comfort, ergonomics, and driving dynamics. The Porsche Taycan, on the other hand, delivers the soul and driving experience I crave, especially with its incredible handling and more comfortable seating. The Taycan’s design and performance still make it the winner for me, even if the Audi offers a more affordable option with some strong features.

At the end of the day, it comes down to what matters most to you. If you value a beautiful interior, fast charging, and a more affordable luxury EV, the Audi RS e-tron GT is a great option. However, if driving engagement, comfort, and a more refined overall experience are your priorities, the Taycan remains the superior choice in my book.

I don’t hate the Audi, I just can’t love it like I did my Taycans. This is why I did the following for the first time in my car buying and leasing career. I walked away from my Audi lease, only 5-6 months in and got myself a gorgeous Taycan Turbo S CT. So bloody happy to be back home. I think if it wasn’t for the back and legs pain, I would have ride the lease out - it wasn’t that bad … #lessonslearned

Hope you find this helpful. Love to hear your thoughts and feedback. We are blessed to have these gorgeous cars!

Porsche Taycan After Ownership : Taycan vs Audi RS E-Tron GT IMG_6388


Porsche Taycan After Ownership : Taycan vs Audi RS E-Tron GT IMG_6386


Porsche Taycan After Ownership : Taycan vs Audi RS E-Tron GT 4B7FA200-A8D3-444D-9051-8774896B3DE7


Porsche Taycan After Ownership : Taycan vs Audi RS E-Tron GT JFJ01926


Porsche Taycan After Ownership : Taycan vs Audi RS E-Tron GT IMG_2050


Porsche Taycan After Ownership : Taycan vs Audi RS E-Tron GT IMG_3858_
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Mr.Smith

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The suspension issue you mention on the E-Tron GT has been almost solved with the facelift, especially with the Active ride.

It's all software tuning.

Audi intentionally made the suspension too high and added too much body roll IMO.
Lowering it 10mm helped this on the 1st gen E-Tron GTs.
 
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I just picked up and drove the Taycan Turbo S CT from SF to LA. The EA experience was flawless. The battery was always conditioned and ready to receive charge brilliantly.

in my experience : the 2024 RS E-Tron GT charged flawless with software from EA comparing the problematic 2020 and 2022 Taycans I had. Those had problems 99% of the time. ( all campaigns always picked up ) …
 
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9J1_JJ

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The suspension issue you mention on the E-Tron GT has been almost solved with the facelift, especially with the Active ride.

It's all software tuning.

Audi intentionally made the suspension too high and added too much body roll IMO.
Lowering it 10mm helped this on the 1st gen E-Tron GTs.
I thought of adjusting the suspension, but I knew my back and leg pain was more interior leather stiffness. I saw some great posts on suspension mods… but my attitude is - I didn’t lease a $160k brand new car so I can mess with the suspension. I rather walk away bloody from the lease ???
 


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9J1_JJ

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It makes zero sense that the E-Tron charges quicker than the Taycan unless the ET is a refresh and your Taycan isn't.
I think it was less about quicker and a lot more with consistency / problems of being able to charge or not at EA.
 

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I think it was less about quicker and a lot more with consistency / problems of being able to charge or not at EA.
That’s an EA issue then and not the car. Just last week I was getting 58kw with the new Macan EV loaner. As soon as the guy next to me leaves it jumped up to 118. These 350kw stations are clearly throttled. EA still has a lot of room for improvement but they have gotten better. Luckily for me I hardly travel by cars.
 

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That Carmine Red looks awesome
 


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9J1_JJ

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That’s an EA issue then and not the car. Just last week I was getting 58kw with the new Macan EV loaner. As soon as the guy next to me leaves it jumped up to 118. These 350kw stations are clearly throttled. EA still has a lot of room for improvement but they have gotten better. Luckily for me I hardly travel by cars.
Actually it’s both EA + Porsche.
Porsche decided to do authentication without the app, this integration require a lot of middle ware and interoperability. It’s taken them 5 years to sort with EA ( young in car, electricity and even software world ) …

what Audi did better : you have to pull the app and put the station ID# in. It forces authentication and ensures that the station spools.

once Porsche + EA figure this out, it will make for a marvelous “frictionless” experience because of the automation in the background.

the Taycans I owned from 2020 to 2024 always struggled ( EA or Porsche or Both ) …

the good news. My brand new one on an 8 hour roadtrip was flawless. Let’s hope that continues to be the case.

I think the larger issue is congestion at EA with all car manufacturers. I’ve always charged at home ( 98% of the time )
 
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9J1_JJ

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That’s an EA issue then and not the car. Just last week I was getting 58kw with the new Macan EV loaner. As soon as the guy next to me leaves it jumped up to 118. These 350kw stations are clearly throttled. EA still has a lot of room for improvement but they have gotten better. Luckily for me I hardly travel by cars.
EA has little incentive to give away free charging for 30 minutes unless the limit the charge rate so you need more than 30 minutes to charge with the larger performance plus batteries which pays EA dividends. The only time I ever got over a 200KwH charging rate was when I was paying for it on my personal EA account with an AvIS rental Mercedes EOS…
 
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9J1_JJ

9J1_JJ

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EA has little incentive to give away free charging for 30 minutes unless the limit the charge rate so you need more than 30 minutes to charge with the larger performance plus batteries which pays EA dividends. The only time I ever got over a 200KwH charging rate was when I was paying for it on my personal EA account with an AvIS rental Mercedes EOS…
interesting thoughts here - on my way back from the Bay Area to LA : the Taycan Turbo S CT pulled 258 - 260 KW consistently. I also used the PCCM trip manager, to condition the battery for ample charging.
Porsche Taycan After Ownership : Taycan vs Audi RS E-Tron GT IMG_6444
 

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EA has little incentive to give away free charging for 30 minutes unless the limit the charge rate so you need more than 30 minutes to charge with the larger performance plus batteries which pays EA dividends. The only time I ever got over a 200KwH charging rate was when I was paying for it on my personal EA account with an AvIS rental Mercedes EOS…
I don't think this is correct as I have had numerous sessions at 180kw or higher, and I never charge over the 30 mins. If I needed to charge more, I unplugged/replugged...if no one's waiting.
 

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Actually it’s both EA + Porsche.
Porsche decided to do authentication without the app, this integration require a lot of middle ware and interoperability. It’s taken them 5 years to sort with EA ( young in car, electricity and even software world ) …

what Audi did better : you have to pull the app and put the station ID# in. It forces authentication and ensures that the station spools.

once Porsche + EA figure this out, it will make for a marvelous “frictionless” experience because of the automation in the background.

the Taycans I owned from 2020 to 2024 always struggled ( EA or Porsche or Both ) …

the good news. My brand new one on an 8 hour roadtrip was flawless. Let’s hope that continues to be the case.

I think the larger issue is congestion at EA with all car manufacturers. I’ve always charged at home ( 98% of the time )
I'll say that this has hardly been a frictionless experience for my E-Tron GT, and many others at https://www.e-tronforum.com. Most of the time it's worked for me, but VAG's less than stellar software experience definitely extends to their apps as well.

PS cheers for posting your review both here and on the E-Tron forum. Good info for everyone.
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