As you might have noticed from our recent test drive review, Porsche has an impressive plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the Panamera S E-Hybrid. It’s a full-size Panamera with impressive road times and many premium touches from the top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo S, and is capable of reducing your carbon footprint by several toes, maybe even the whole sole.
One of the S E-Hybrid’s top competitors is the Tesla Model S. Tesla is an interesting new company from California that has worked hard at making electric vehicles more accepted in the U.S., so we thought it would be entertaining to do a side-by-side comparison of the two vehicles.
In physical terms, the Model S and the Panamera are no more than 1.5” different in any given dimension, and only 30 lbs. separates them in the weight (the Panamera is lighter).
Price and acceleration can be evaluated at the same time; there are three trim versions of the Model S ($87k, $94k and $111k) and one of the Panamera S E-Hybrid ($99k). The Panamera’s 5.2 second 0-60 mph time is quicker than all but the $111k version of the Model S.
For handling, it depends where you want your center of gravity. The Model S’s use of the battery in the floor creates an elevated feeling of floating on air. The S E-Hybrid uses the same suspension as the Panamera Turbo S.
In terms of customization, those three trim versions of the Model S are as far as you can go in personalizing the Tesla. Porsche, on the other hand, offers thousands of permutations in features, colors, materials, fabrics, equipment and personalization.
The cockpits reveal radically different philosophies. The Model S favors an open, minimalist ethic that relies entirely on a massive 17” touchscreen display. This frees up interior space and makes a clean look. The Panamera uses single-function button groups. The advantages here are keeping the driver’s eyes on the road and getting to the function you want without multiple layers of interface.
With materials we recommend sitting in the vehicles. Tap on surfaces to determine their solidity. Stretch out to check cabin space. Use your smartphone to measure seat cushion depth. Close the door and listen. How well-insulated is each car?
Service is pretty easy to compare. Tesla has a little less than 30 regional service facilities. The company can dispatch a member to pick up your car (for $100) and give you a loaner, while the drive back to the regional facility and begin the diagnostic process. Porsche has 189 licensed dealerships in the country.
And finally, charging time. As a purely electric vehicles, the Tesla has a range of more than 200 miles. The plug-in hybrid electric Panamera has a range upwards of 600 miles. If fully depleted, the Model S takes at least 8.5 hours and at most 80 hours to recharge, depending on the charging station’s technology. At most, the S E-Hybrid takes 8.5 hours. Or, you could just drive using gasoline. With the Model S, when you’re empty, you’re really empty.
So there you have. Think we left anything out? Have anything to contribute? How have you found the Model S and/or S E-Hybrid? Let us know.
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