As Tesla Boosts Range, a Mileage Comparo With Porsche Proves Interesting

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Tesla Model S sales have taken a backseat to the electric sedan’s hot-selling Model 3 sibling, but the model remains a valuable asset for the automaker. For one thing, it offers the most range of any Tesla vehicle. Now, buyers of both the Model S and X can expect greater driving distances, all thanks to a product upgrade added several months ago.

Real-world range is another matter, and on that front there’s reason for Porsche Taycan buyers to smile.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the upgrade late last week, saying the Model S Long Range Plus now delivers an EPA-estimated 390 miles of range, up from 373 miles. The additional range will soon be unlocked in existing vehicles via an over-the-air software update.

The pricier Model S Performance retains its 348-mile rating.

Like the Model S, the long-legged version of the Model X sees its range grow to 351 miles, up 23 from before. While no version of the Model S or X can be described as a range slug (or slow), adding extra miles is one way to keep these now aging models fresh as competition gathers around the Palo Alto automaker.

One of those competitors is Porsche, with its Taycan sedan. The slinky EV comes in performance-minded Turbo and Turbo S guises, though its EPA rating falls far short of its U.S. rival.

While the hottest Taycan’s 192-mile range earned the vehicle both jeers and sympathy, Car and Driver set out to discover whether the differences between the hottest electric Porsche and brawniest Tesla Model S were really all that great in real-world driving. A comparo test ensued between the Turbo S and Model S Performance, performed on a California track at interstate cruising speeds.

Recall the two range ratings: 192 miles, and 348.

The simulated road trip did not see the test vehicles driven to the point of drainage. In the interest of longevity, EV battery packs halt the vehicle, or at least slow it, before the pack can become too depleted. Under optimal conditions (and time constraints) at Hyundai’s flat California City test loop, both models were put through their paces.

The results, after 100 miles of 75 mph driving (which most certainly is not how the EPA tests average range), showed that battery depletion was not in line with the stated ranges. Especially not in the Tesla’s case.

From Car and Driver:

At the conclusion of our 100 miles, the Tesla was sitting at a 55 percent state of charge, and the Porsche was just behind at 52 percent. We then used the rate of battery depletion and range reduction—which, given our idealized test conditions, was extremely stable—to extrapolate out to a predicted total range figure.

The results were far closer than we expected: 209 miles for the Taycan, and 222 for the Model S.

Although that number might seem low for the Model S, it’s between our other Tesla highway-range results. The last Model S we tested, a 2018 100D, achieved 270 miles to a 335-mile EPA rating, and the first Model 3, a rear-drive Long Range, got 200 miles versus its 310-mile EPA figure at the time. That means at a steady 75 mph, the 100D achieved 81 percent of its EPA range, and the Model 3, 65 percent, while the figure for this latest Model S is 68 percent.

It’s food for thought for any prospective EV buyer. Certain models make more efficient use of their battery capacity, and everything from speed to terrain to temperature to driving style will impact how far you can go on a charge.

[Images: Abu hasim.A/Shutterstock, Porsche]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Vvk Vvk on Feb 19, 2020

    Taycan has a two speed automatic -- that is why it has good relative efficiency at high speed.

    • Art Vandelay Art Vandelay on Feb 19, 2020

      Makes sense. If GM EVs ever get this feature, will they call it a powerglide?

  • Civicjohn Civicjohn on Feb 19, 2020

    Is this the same company that recently adjusted their battery warranties downward and range-lowered older Model S and X? No way, must be a different outfit. The Tesla I’ve read about doesn’t have any problems.

  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
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