While the Taycan is incredibly quick, Porsche’s EV also has a price tag to match. And while that hasn’t exactly hurt sales figures, Porsche has been teasing a more affordable trim for some time. And for the 2021 model year, the base Porsche Taycan model is finally coming to the US. So, what exactly does a base-trim Taycan look like?

How does the base 2021 Porsche Taycan compare to the other models?

Previously, the cheapest US-market Porsche Taycan model was the 4S trim, which starts at $103,800. However, the 2021 base Taycan starts at $79,900; after destination and other fees, that works out to $81,250. That actually makes it $7300 cheaper than a base-trim Panamera, The Drive reports. And that’s before any EV tax credits.

Besides being the cheapest model, the base 2021 Porsche Taycan is also the only rear-wheel-drive trim, Roadshow reports. That’s because instead of two electric motors, the base Taycan has only one rear-mounted one. However, on the plus side, it weighs about 200 pounds less, Autoblog reports.

With 321 hp and 250 lb-ft, the base model is good for a 5.1-second 0-60 mph time. And if you order it with the Sport Chrono Package, that jumps to 402 hp and 254 lb-ft in ‘over-boost’ mode. Burnouts and drifts will likely also be easier.

However, these figures come with the standard 79.2-kWh battery pack. For an extra $5780 you can equip the base 2021 Porsche Taycan with a 93.4-kWh pack, Road & Track reports. It’s heavier than the standard one, but it has the same 0-60 mph time and a slightly faster ¼-mile time. Plus, it boosts peak power to 469 hp and 263 lb-ft with the Sport Chrono Package.

As of this writing, Porsche hasn’t released official range estimates for the base 2021 Taycan. However, in China the EV is rated at 257 miles with the standard pack and 303 miles with the larger one, R&T reports. And both packs support DC fast-charging.

What features does the base 2021 Porsche Taycan offer?

Although the base 2021 Porsche Taycan doesn’t have all of the standard features the higher trims offer, it’s not exactly barren.

The base 2021 Taycan comes standard with adaptive dampers and regenerative braking, Car and Driver reports. Wireless Apple CarPlay is also standard, as are the OTA updates and three years of free Electrify America charging, Motor1 reports. So is the “part-leather” interior, Hagerty reports.

Optional features on the 2021 Porsche Taycan include an adaptive air suspension, tungsten-carbide and carbon-ceramic brakes, a heads-up display, and massaging seats. There’s also an upgraded audio system available as well as a heads-up display and additional ADAS features.

Is it worth considering over the other trims or other EVs?

Admittedly, even with its sub-$80,000 starting price, the base 2021 Porsche Taycan isn’t exactly cheap. The base-trim Tesla Model S, one of the Taycan’s biggest rivals, starts at $69,420—and it has AWD and two motors. Plus, it comes standard with adaptive air suspension.

However, Porsche ranks ahead of Tesla and BMW in the luxury vehicle category. And in terms of the fun-to-drive factor, the AWD Taycan beats out the equivalent Model S, Car and Driver reports.

There’s also the Polestar 2, which, to be fair, is more of a Model 3 rival. However, with a $59,900 starting price, a Google-developed operating system, and AWD, it has some advantages over the 2021 Taycan. And even without its optional Performance Package, it’s still a fun EV to drive, Car and Driver reports. However, Polestar has far fewer retail locations in the US than Porsche.  

Still, if the goal is to get more people driving EVs, Porsche releasing a more affordable model is definitely a step in the right direction.

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