Porsche Taycan Buyer's Guide in Malaysia: Go for the 544PS AWD 4S, but remember that Porsche list prices lie

The Malaysian market has no shortage of luxury all-electric sedans, but the Porsche Taycan is arguably the most unique among them.

In terms of outright acceleration, it is not the quickest; in terms of tech gimmicks, there are plenty out there that outshine it. Its battery is neither the largest nor is its horsepower the most potent. However, this car is delightfully "stubborn"—in this segment, it remains the most committed to chassis feedback and steering communication.

Porsche has always maintained that with or without an internal combustion engine, it is fundamentally a Porsche first, and an EV second.

With five variants available—ranging from the entry-level 408 PS single-motor setup to the blisteringly quick 952 PS dual-motor flagship—which configuration of this electric grand tourer suits you best? And why do we say you should never judge a Porsche purely by its list price?

Range 

The pre-facelift Taycan suffered from two main drawbacks: a battery that was not quite big enough, and charging speeds that could be quicker. The refreshed facelift Taycan addresses both pain points head-on.

It now features a 105 kWh (97 kWh usable) battery pack as standard across the range (effective from March 2025 production onwards), paired with an impressive DC fast-charging capacity of up to 320 kW. In other words, even the baseline model offers complete peace of mind on the range front.

Porsche Taycan Key Specifications

5 Variants

Starting from the most accessible tier, the RWD Taycan at RM775,000 obviously cannot match its punchier siblings in straight-line pace. It is the sole rear-wheel-drive offering in the line-up, but with 408 PS, a century sprint of 4.8 seconds, and a class-leading 678 km WLTP range, it is hardly a slouch.

This base spec is more than capable for daily driving, sharing the same masterfully tuned chassis and handling dynamics as its pricier siblings. It serves as your entry ticket into the Taycan family. That said, it lacks all-wheel drive; if AWD is a non-negotiable for you, the 4S is where your money should go.

Next up is the Taycan 4S—the indisputable sweet spot of the range. With dual-motor all-wheel drive, 544 PS, a 0–100 km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds, and a 642 km range, it is virtually faultless.

It ticks all the right boxes without diluting the Taycan's core DNA, making it the most popular pick for most buyers. At RM890,000, it also represents solid value in this bracket. 

Step further up the ladder, and you enter serious performance territory. Priced at RM999,000, the Taycan GTS is widely lauded by enthusiasts as the high-tier sweet spot of the lineup.

On paper, the GTS packs a serious punch: 700 PS, a 3.3-second 0–100 km/h sprint, and while its 628 km range is technically the lowest across the range, the next-step Taycan Turbo offers a negligible 2 km increase.

For just under the million-ringgit mark, the GTS delivers performance and drama that genuinely rival the flagship Turbo models.

Beyond that sit the RM1,220,000 Turbo and the uncompromising RM1,470,000 Turbo S. Frankly, these two hyper-EVs require little introduction.

Optional Features

As noted earlier, you can never judge a Taycan—or any Porsche, for that matter—solely by its sticker price. The disparity between a bone-stock "base car" and the bespoke machine you drive home after ticking several option boxes can be night and day.

Porsche’s extensive options list is legendary. Provided your wallet allows, you can build a one-of-a-kind Taycan tailored entirely to your taste.

Many buyers walk into a Porsche Centre with the intention of buying a basic spec, only to walk out with an order sheet loaded with options. Within local enthusiast circles, certain add-ons are deemed "must-haves"—and needless to say, none of them come cheap.

Chief among them is Porsche Active Ride, an advanced active suspension system that eliminates body roll in corners, raises the ride height for easy ingress when doors open, and lowers the chassis under hard driving. The damage? Around USD 7,390.

There are also goodies like rear-axle steering, HD Matrix LED headlights, the Burmester surround sound system, the signature Porsche Electric Sport Sound, and front ventilated seats (yes, that is an optional extra), among others.

Conclusion

Unlike conventional car purchases that follow a simple "one-and-done" transaction, buying into the Taycan bracket involves two distinct figures: the base vehicle price and your options tally. Once you have pinpointed the right variant for your driving needs, it is all about speccing it to the depth of your pockets. Only then will you take delivery of the true, definitive Taycan.