2025 Porsche Taycan EV First Range Test: Goes Farther, Charges Way Quicker


Porsche Taycan EV
Porsche Taycan EV

Porsche’s first electric vehicle, the Taycan, has been praised for its impressive driving dynamics, performance, and design. However, one of the main drawbacks of the Taycan has been its relatively low driving range compared to its rivals, such as the Tesla Model S, the Mercedes EQS, and the Lucid Air. The 2024 Taycan models had an EPA-rated range of 235 to 246 miles, depending on the trim level and battery size.

However, Porsche has made some significant improvements for the 2025 Taycan, which is expected to hit the market later this year. The refreshed Taycan boasts a longer range, a faster charging curve, and some subtle cosmetic and technological updates. Porsche invited us to test drive a prototype of the 2025 Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, the wagon version of the Taycan, and we were pleasantly surprised by the results.

How Much Longer is the Range?

Porsche Taycan EV
Porsche Taycan EV

According to Porsche, the 2025 Taycan has a range of up to 365 miles, based on the WLTP cycle, which is more optimistic than the EPA cycle. This is a huge improvement over the 2024 Taycan, which had a WLTP range of 283 miles. Porsche claims that the increased range is due to several factors, such as a more efficient electric motor, a revised thermal management system, a lower drag coefficient, and a new “eDistance” tire option.

To put the range to the test, we drove the 2025 Taycan 4 Cross Turismo from Marina Del Rey, California, to Tijuana, Mexico, and back. The route was mostly flat, with some traffic and interchanges, and the weather was ideal. We set the cruise control to 70 mph, the climate control to 72 degrees, and the drive mode to Range, which lowers the air suspension and optimizes the energy consumption.

We started with a full charge of 100 percent, which showed an estimated range of 322 miles on the dashboard. After driving 298.3 miles, we arrived at a charging station near our starting point, with 6 percent battery remaining. Our average consumption was 3.2 miles/kWh, which is very good for an EV of this size and power. Based on our calculations, the 2025 Taycan 4 Cross Turismo has a highway range of 317 miles, which is close to the WLTP figure and much better than the previous model.

How Much Faster is the Charging?

Another area where the 2025 Taycan excels is the charging speed. The Taycan has always been one of the fastest-charging EVs on the market, thanks to its 800-volt architecture and its ability to accept up to 270 kW of power. However, the 2025 Taycan takes it to the next level, by increasing the maximum charging power to 350 kW and improving the charging curve.

The charging curve refers to how quickly the battery can be replenished at different levels of charge. The higher the curve, the faster the charging. The 2025 Taycan has a flatter and higher charging curve than the 2024 Taycan, which means that it can maintain a high charging speed for longer, even when the battery is above 80 percent.

To demonstrate the charging performance, we plugged the 2025 Taycan 4 Cross Turismo into a 350 kW charger, which is currently the highest available in the US. The Taycan’s navigation system recognized the charger and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging. The dashboard also showed the maximum possible charging rate and the battery temperature, which are new features for the 2025 model.

We started charging at 6 percent, and the Taycan immediately reached 350 kW of power. The charging rate stayed above 300 kW until 40 percent, and then gradually decreased to 200 kW at 80 percent. The whole charging session took only 18 minutes, and added 240 miles of range. This is an incredible achievement, considering that most EVs take much longer to charge and have a steeper drop in charging speed after 50 or 60 percent.

What Else is New?

Besides the range and charging improvements, the 2025 Taycan also has some minor changes to the exterior and interior. The front fascia has been slightly redesigned, with more cutouts below the headlights, a more sculpted hood and fenders, and a lower and wider stance. The rear end and the side profile remain largely unchanged, except for some new wheel and color options.

The interior of the 2025 Taycan is also very similar to the previous model, with a sleek and minimalist dashboard, a curved digital instrument cluster, a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an optional passenger display. The Taycan also offers a high level of comfort and luxury, with features such as leather or vegan upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Burmester sound system, and a head-up display.

The 2025 Taycan also comes with some new and updated technologies, such as a wireless Apple CarPlay, an improved voice assistant, a remote parking assist, and a blind spot monitoring system. The Taycan also supports over-the-air updates, which can enhance the performance, functionality, and security of the vehicle.

Is the 2025 Taycan Worth It?

The 2025 Porsche Taycan is a remarkable electric vehicle that combines the best of both worlds: the thrilling driving experience and the premium quality of a Porsche, and the efficiency and convenience of an EV. The 2025 Taycan has addressed one of the main criticisms of the previous model, which was the limited range, and has also improved the already impressive charging speed. The 2025 Taycan also offers a stunning design, a spacious and luxurious interior, and a plethora of advanced features.

The 2025 Taycan is expected to go on sale in the second half of 2024, with a starting price of around $80,000 for the base model, and up to $185,000 for the top-of-the-line Turbo S model. The 2025 Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, the wagon version, will cost about $10,000 more than the sedan version. The 2025 Taycan will also have a new long-range model, which will have a rear-wheel-drive configuration and a larger battery pack, and will offer the highest range of the lineup.

The 2025 Porsche Taycan is a compelling choice for anyone looking for a high-performance, high-quality, and high-tech electric vehicle. The 2025 Taycan is not only the Porsche of EVs, but also one of the best EVs on the market.

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