The 2023 Porsche Taycan is the car that proved an electric vehicle can feel like a proper Porsche, not just an appliance on electrons. If you’re shopping for a used luxury EV today, a 2023 Porsche Taycan review isn’t academic, this is the model year that’s finally dropping into reachable, post-depreciation territory while still feeling cutting-edge.
Quick take
Why the 2023 Taycan matters now
By 2023, the Taycan had moved past its early-production teething stages and quietly received a host of software and hardware refinements. That makes the 2023 cars something of a sweet spot: you get second- or third-year improvements without paying the premium of a brand-new refresh. On the used market, that’s where value and engineering maturity intersect.
2023 Porsche Taycan at a glance
Important context
Model range and trims: your 2023 Taycan options
Porsche being Porsche, the Taycan lineup is a tasting menu of slightly different flavors of fast. For 2023, you’ll typically see these on the used market:
2023 Porsche Taycan trims overview
Approximate power and character of the main 2023 Taycan variants.
| Trim | Drivetrain | Approx HP (overboost) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taycan (base) | RWD | ~400 hp | Clean, simple, lighter; still properly quick |
| Taycan 4S | AWD | ~520 hp | The sweet spot: fast, composed, relatively efficient |
| Taycan GTS | AWD | ~590 hp | The enthusiast’s pick; sharper suspension and sound tuning |
| Taycan Turbo | AWD | ~670 hp | Supercar thrust, luxury focus, big power always on tap |
| Taycan Turbo S | AWD | ~750+ hp | Launch-control lunatic; overkill in the best way |
| 4 Cross Turismo | AWD wagon | ~469 hp | Rugged ride height, huge practicality, still very quick |
| Turbo Cross Turismo | AWD wagon | ~670 hp | Family-hauling ballistic missile with a hatch |
Exact specs vary slightly by battery choice and equipment; always verify individual car configurations.
Trim-picking tip
Performance and driving experience
Steering and chassis
Porsche’s party trick is making two-and-a-half tons of lithium and leather feel light on its feet. The 2023 Taycan’s steering is organically weighted and precise, with an honesty you rarely find in EVs. Optional rear-axle steering shrinks the car around you at low speeds and lends stability on the highway.
The adaptive air suspension, standard on many trims, delivers a wide bandwidth: soft enough in Normal to commute, tied-down in Sport or Sport Plus when the road opens up. This is where the Taycan justifies its badge; it’s not fast "for an EV," it’s fast by any standard, and the body control is exquisite.
Acceleration and braking
Launch control in any dual-motor Taycan is a minor life event. The 4S is already deep in "how is this legal" territory, and Turbo S launches feel like a physics demonstration. But unlike some rivals, the Taycan’s power delivery is beautifully metered; you can use a lot of the performance without feeling like you’re wrestling a laptop with wheels.
Brakes are strong and natural-feeling, with Porsche leaning on friction braking more than heavy regen in normal driving. You get a more conventional pedal feel, less of that one-pedal, parachute-drag deceleration. Enthusiasts will love it; EV maximalists may miss more aggressive regeneration.
The magic sauce
Range and efficiency: real-world numbers
Here’s the part of the 2023 Porsche Taycan review where reality taps you on the shoulder. Official EPA ratings look reasonable on paper, but in the wild, especially at U.S. highway speeds, the Taycan tends to consume energy like a German shepherd at treat time.
What owners actually see
EPA numbers are optimistic; here’s a more honest spread based on typical usage.
City & mixed driving
Driven moderately in mixed use, most 2023 Taycan owners report 200–250 miles between charges, depending on battery size and climate.
Highway at 70–80 mph
On fast interstate runs, expect closer to 170–210 miles of usable range before you’re hunting for DC fast charging.
Cold-weather impact
In true winter, especially without preconditioning, you can lose 20–30% of rated range. The heat pump (where fitted) helps, but physics still wins.
If you’re coming from Tesla…
Charging experience: home and road-trip reality
On paper, the Taycan is a charging monster. Its 800-volt architecture allows up to around 270 kW DC fast charging when you find a station that can deliver it and conditions are right. That can mean going from roughly 5% to 80% in a coffee stop. In practice, your experience depends heavily on your local infrastructure.
- At home, a 240-volt Level 2 charger (around 9–11 kW) will comfortably refill the pack overnight.
- On road trips, you’ll get the best results at high-power CCS stations that support 800V charging and have good uptime.
- Preconditioning the battery before a fast-charge stop, using the built-in navigation, can dramatically improve charge speeds.
Home charging sweet spot
Interior, tech, and comfort
Design and ergonomics
The Taycan’s cabin is a portrait of modern Porsche: low, snug seating; a clean horizontal dash; and a configurable digital gauge cluster that still reads like an instrument panel, not a tablet stapled to the firewall. Materials are mostly excellent, with the occasional plastic shortcut where you don’t look too often.
The driving position is pure sports car, great if you love feeling hunkered down, slightly less great if you’re used to stepping into an SUV. Rear-seat space is adult-viable but not generous; sit behind a tall driver and your knees’ lobbying group will file a complaint.
Screens and software
The 2023 Taycan typically carries a three-screen layout: central touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and optional passenger display. It looks fantastic, but the UX can feel busy. Some basic functions sit behind one tap too many, a very 2020s problem.
On the plus side, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help you bypass most of Porsche’s navigation gripes. On the minus side, over-the-air updates and app connectivity feel a step behind the best in the segment, especially Tesla’s always-connected ethos.
Ride and noise
Practicality: sedan vs Cross Turismo
The Taycan sedan is sleek, low, and visually stunning, part spaceship, part four-door 911. It’s also not the most practical layout in the EV world. Enter the Cross Turismo and Sport Turismo wagons, which quietly turn the Taycan into one of the best do-it-all EVs you can buy used.
Sedan vs Cross Turismo: which suits you?
Same basic driving experience, very different everyday lives.
Taycan sedan
- Lower roofline, more coupe-like profile.
- Smaller trunk opening; rear seats fold but cargo access is limited.
- Best if you rarely carry bulky items and prize style above all.
Taycan Cross Turismo
- Wagon body with big hatch and more headroom.
- Slightly raised ride height and added body cladding.
- Ideal for bikes, dogs, family road trips, and bad-weather states.
Secret hero
Reliability, battery health, and running costs
Early Taycans saw scattered reports of software gremlins, 12-volt battery issues, and the usual bleeding-edge-EV quirks. By 2023, many of the worst bugs had been ironed out, but you’re still dealing with a complex German luxury car packed with integrated electronics. This is not a "never see the dealer" ownership experience.
- Brakes and tires: Heavy, high-performance EVs eat both. Budget accordingly, especially on Turbo and Turbo S models.
- Service and warranty: Porsche’s warranty coverage and dealer network are solid, but out-of-warranty repairs can be pricey.
- Battery health: So far, Taycan packs have generally held up well when properly cared for, but individual use history matters a lot.
Battery health is everything
2023 Taycan vs Tesla Model S (and others)
How the 2023 Taycan stacks up
High-level comparison against common cross-shops.
| Model | Driving feel | Range (approx) | Charging | Tech/UX character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Porsche Taycan | Best-in-class steering, playful yet composed | 200–250 mi real-world | Very fast when infrastructure cooperates | Lux, button-light, slightly fussy menus |
| 2023 Tesla Model S | Effortlessly fast, more GT than sports sedan | Longer real-world range | Excellent Supercharger access (NACS) | Minimalist, always-connected, software-forward |
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 / Kia EV6 | Fun, light-feeling, but softer | Similar or better range for the price | Very fast 800V charging | Great value, simpler UX, less premium |
| Mercedes EQE Sedan | Comfort-biased, very quiet | Competitive range | Wide charging-network support | Big screens, high-tech interior, less sporty |
Exact numbers vary by trim and configuration; focus on character and priorities rather than a single spec.
Different kinds of "best"
Who the 2023 Taycan is (and isn’t) for
Is a 2023 Taycan a good fit for you?
You prioritize driving feel over sheer range
If your ideal drive involves a winding back road, not hypermiling on the interstate, the Taycan’s steering, chassis, and throttle response will feel like money well spent.
You have reliable home charging
A garage or driveway with Level 2 charging makes Taycan ownership dramatically easier. Relying heavily on public chargers is possible, but not the car’s happiest life.
You’re comfortable with luxury-car running costs
Tires, brakes, and routine service will cost more than on a mainstream EV. If you’re stepping up from a premium gas sedan, the adjustment is smaller.
You don’t need full-size-SUV space
Even the Cross Turismo is a wagon, not a three-row bus. Great for most families, but not for maximum-occupancy kid-hauling every weekend.
You want a used EV that still feels current
A well-specced 2023 Taycan still looks and feels extremely modern. If you want an EV that won’t feel dated in two years, this is a strong candidate.
Buying a used 2023 Taycan: what to look for
Because the 2023 Taycan sits at the intersection of high performance and high complexity, you want to be extra methodical shopping used. The good news: if you’re careful, you can get an astonishing amount of car for the money.
Used 2023 Taycan checklist
1. Verify battery health properly
Don’t rely on a single range estimate or anecdote. Ask for <strong>third-party battery diagnostics</strong>, like the Recharged Score Report, to understand usable capacity and pack health over time.
2. Check charging history and habits
Frequent DC fast charging at high state of charge can stress a battery over years. It’s a plus if the prior owner mostly used home Level 2 and kept the charge window reasonable.
3. Inspect tires, wheels, and brakes
Curb rash, uneven tire wear, or grooved brake rotors can hint at a hard-driven or poorly aligned car. Given part costs, this is more than just cosmetic.
4. Test all the tech
Make sure every screen, camera, sensor, and advanced driver-assist feature works as intended. Glitches in a tech-heavy car add up fast.
5. Confirm software and recall status
Ask for documentation of software updates and recall work. Many early quirks were fixed via campaigns; you want a 2023 car that’s been kept current.
6. Consider total cost, not just price
Factor in charging equipment, insurance, registration, and a realistic maintenance buffer. Tools like Recharged’s <strong>fair market pricing</strong> and financing can help you see the full picture.
Leaning on specialists helps
2023 Porsche Taycan FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the 2023 Taycan
Bottom line: should you buy a 2023 Taycan used?
If you judge EVs mostly by how far they go between plugs, the 2023 Taycan is going to look like a bad idea on paper. But cars are not spreadsheets, and this one in particular is a reminder that enthusiasm lives in the details: the steering rim in your hands, the way the body stays flat through a decreasing-radius corner, the over-the-shoulder glance back in a parking lot.
As this 2023 Porsche Taycan review makes clear, it’s a superb driver’s car, wrapped in a gorgeous body, with enough everyday usability to be your only vehicle if your life isn’t full-on minivan duty. In used form, it’s finally drifting into price territory where enthusiasts and EV-curious luxury buyers can reasonably consider it.
The trade-offs, range, charging-network dependence, running costs, are real, not theoretical. If you’re okay with them, and you shop smart with proper battery-health verification and expert guidance, a 2023 Taycan can be one of the most satisfying ways to go electric. And if you want help finding the right one, Recharged is built specifically to make used EV buying transparent, from fair pricing to that all-important battery report.
