- You don't need to buy a Tesla if you want a fancy, electric four-door.
- Porsche sells the $86,700 Taycan and Mercedes sells the $102,000 EQS.
- I drove fully-loaded versions of both cars to see how they stack up.
So you want to buy a luxurious electric car but can't decide between the Porsche Taycan and the Mercedes-Benz EQS?
First off: Congratulations on being rich.
Both are fantastic options for getting around in fancy, zero-emission fashion. But each is great in its own way.
This comparison isn't exactly apples-to-apples. The $209,000 Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo Porsche lent is the highest-performance Taycan available and the hatchback edition. The $141,000 EQS 580 Mercedes provided is also the top-of-the-line model, but there is another, speedier version, the AMG-EQS, which is more comparable to the sporty Taycan.
Still, this showdown provided a solid idea of what these cars bring to the table and how they stack up.
How much do they cost?
The Taycan starts at $86,700. The EQS comes in at around $102,000.
What about range?
The Mercedes earns an impressive EPA rating of 350 miles in the base EQS 450+ configuration while the all-wheel-drive EQS 580 clocks in at 340 miles. The sedan's blob-like shape may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it does cut down on drag, which helps with range.
The Taycan's range looks so-so on paper; the 2021 model in this test was rated for only 202 miles. (The 2023 Taycan maxes out at 246 miles, according to the EPA.)
But EPA estimates don't always tell the full story. I observed a range closer to 250 miles, and Edmunds drove a 2020 Taycan 323 miles on a single charge. It pushed an EQS 450+ 422 miles.
How do they drive?
The Taycan is without a doubt the more entertaining car to drive. The 750-horsepower Turbo S is breathtakingly, incomprehensibly quick, promising to rocket to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. Its steering is precise and it handles impeccably. The tradeoff is that it rides on the stiff side.
The EQS delights in a whole different way by gliding ever so smoothly and quietly down the road. While the EQS 580 I drove lacks the brutal acceleration of the Taycan, it's still pretty quick.
How fast do they charge?
The Taycan promises some of the quickest charging times in the biz. When connected to a sufficiently powerful fast-charging station (270 kilowatts and up), the Taycan can recharge from 5-80% in 22.5 minutes.
The EQS maxes out at 200 kilowatts and promises to recharge from 10-80% in 31 minutes.
However, since the Mercedes has a bigger battery and more range, charging times in terms of mileage added in a given time period are similar.
How do they stack up inside?
The Mercedes smacks you right in the face with a plush, spacious interior filled with leather and high-end materials. High points include options for massaging seats all around and a 56-inch "Hyperscreen" display for folks who simply can't get enough tech.
The Porsche also has a long list of luxurious options, but it gives off a sportier vibe. You have to climb down into its tight driver's seat, which hugs you and keeps you in place around turns. Its back seats are more cramped than the EQS's ample back row. My test car also came with several touchscreens, but I found Mercedes's tech easier to use.
Verdict
The Taycan Turbo S blew me away with its ridiculous quickness and fantastic handling. It's a driver's car for people who care about having fun while they get from A to B. The EQS is equally awesome, but it's all about cocooning passengers in a quiet, rolling business lounge.
To sum things up: The Porsche is a car to drive; the Mercedes is a car to be driven in.