Welcome to Brand Breakdown, a series of comprehensive yet easy-to-digest guides to your favorite companies, with insights and information you won’t find on the average About page.
Porsche History
Porsche is a German luxury and sports car manufacturer, based in Stuttgart and founded in 1931. The company is best known for its powerful, precise-handling sports cars, most famously the iconic 911. While capable on track, Porsches distinguish themselves by being entertaining on the street and comfortable and durable enough for daily driving.
This century, Porsche has broadened its lineup to include four-door vehicles — both SUVs (the Macan and Cayenne) and sedans (the Panamera and the electric Taycan). This model expansion has greatly increased sales, making the company more stable and profitable.
Volkswagen has had close ties with Porsche since its founding. Ferdinand Porsche designed the Volkswagen Beetle, and that car’s rear-engined legacy still endures to this day in the 911. The companies are closely aligned in business, as well; Porsche and Volkswagen formed an “integrated automotive group” in 2011, and many Porsche vehicles share platforms, parts and engines with Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and other VW brands.
While Porsche only produces seven models, the lineup can get confusing. Three-digit model numbers like 911 and 718 that were once tied to actual generations now have become historical designations; the new 911 is known internally as the 992 model, while the 718 Cayman and Boxster are known as the 982 inside the company and among die-hard fans. And Porsche still offers “Turbo” trims, even though nearly every Porsche now uses a turbocharged engine.
Porsche-Related Terminology
- Air-Cooled: 911s through the late 1990s had air-cooled engines, which ran air over the engine oil to keep it cool rather than using a water-based radiator. These engines are generally simpler, lighter and sound better than newer water-cooled engines, and vehicles with them are highly valued by Porsche purists. Porsche replaced them with water-cooled engines for better performance, better reliability and to meet modern emissions standards.
- Base MSRP: This is the starting point for negotiations. A common term, but worth reiterating here; Porsche’s option tree is notoriously large and steeply-priced.
- Boxer Engine: An internal combustion engine with horizontally-opposed pistons, used most commonly by Porsche and Subaru. It helps to lower the car’s center of gravity. Production is usually more expensive than a V-shaped engine, however, which is why it is used less commonly.
- Carrera: “Race” in Spanish. Porsche initially used the term to celebrate class wins in Mexico’s Carrera Panamericana in the 1950s. Porsche has used the term over the decades to designate racing-oriented models, or to make base models sound more racing-oriented.
- PDK: Short for Porsche Doppelkupplunggetriebe, or “Porsche dual clutch gearbox.” Known for its exceptionally quick shifts, it is the only transmission choice on top-tier 911s, as well as on all Panameras.
- RS: Stands for “rennsport,” which means “racing” in German.
- Targa: A retro body style that is part coupe, part convertible. The top roof panel retracts, but a distinctive roll bar remains in place. Porsche started offering it in the 1960s when it was feared the U.S. might outlaw convertibles for safety reasons.
- Tiptronic: An automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode.
-
Turbo: The term “Turbo” originally designated a turbocharged engine. Now that almost every Porsche is turbocharged, “turbo” means a powerful, high-performance version of a particular model.
Every Current Porsche Model
Porsche Cars:
718 Cayman
The 718 Cayman is Porsche's entry-level sports car. It's a two-door, two-seater, rear mid-engined coupe. With its exquisite balance and handling, the 718 Cayman is recognized as one of the gold-standard driver's cars on the market. Porsche debuted the current fourth generation in 2016 with a controversial shift from flat-six to flat-four engines (though Porsche re-added some flat-six versions). Most 718 models can be fitted with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK.
Porsche recently introduced the Style Edition with new paint colors and contrasting details as well as interior upgrades.
Body Style:
- Coupe
Models:
- 718 Cayman
- 718 Cayman Style Edition
- 718 Cayman S
- 718 Cayman GTS 4.0
Engines:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer-four
- Turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four
- 4.0-liter boxer-six
Base MSRP: $68,300
LEARN MORE READ THE REVIEW SHOP PRE-OWNED
718 Boxster
The 718 Boxster, a portmanteau of boxer and roadster, predates the hardtop Cayman by a generation. It debuted as Porsche's more affordable car for the 1997 model year, and helped save the company. The current generation is a mechanical sibling of the 718 Cayman, identical but for the soft top and the price increase. The 718 Boxster tracks the Cayman trim levels through the GTS 4.0. The 718 Boxster offers a new Style Edition like the 718 Cayman.
Body Style:
- Convertible
Models:
- 718 Boxster
- 718 Boxster Style Edition
- 718 Boxster S
- 718 Boxster GTS 4.0
Engines:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer-four
- Turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four
- 4.0-liter boxer-six
Base MSRP: $70,400
LEARN MORE READ THE REVIEW SHOP PRE-OWNED
911
The 911 is Porsche's legendary two-door, two-plus-two-seat, rear-engined sports car. The eighth-generation 992 debuted for the 2019 model year. The base model 911 uses a 379 hp engine and comes in Carrera hardtop, Carrera Cabriolet and Targa body styles. "S" versions upgrade to 443 hp and offer a seven-speed manual transmission. "4" versions have all-wheel-drive instead of rear-wheel-drive.
"Turbo" versions shoot for all-out supercar performance with the Turbo S packing 640 hp and accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 2.6 seconds. The GT3 is more of a 911 purist's model, with a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter boxer-six and a manual transmission. 911 GTS models provide a middle ground on price point and performance between the base and top-end models.
Porsche added a GT3 RS model that pairs the naturally aspirated motor with "motorsport-derived aerodynamics." The most expensive model is the new 911 Sport Classic, which is basically a 911 Turbo with a manual transmission. Porsche also added a new off-roading 911, the 911 Dakar.
Body Styles:
- Coupe
- Convertible
- Targa
Models:
- Carrera / Carrera S / Carrera 4 /Carrera 4S / Carrera T
- Carrera Cabriolet S / Carrera Cabriolet 4 / Carrera Cabriolet 4S
- Carrera GTS / Carrera 4 GTS / Carrera GTS Cabriolet / Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet
- Targa 4 / Targa 4S / Targa 4 GTS
- Edition 50 Years Porsche Design
- GT3 / GT3 w/Touring Package
- GT3 RS
- Turbo / Turbo S
- Turbo Cabriolet / Turbo S Cabriolet
- Sport Classic
- Dakar
Engines:
- Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter boxer-six
- Twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter boxer-six
- 4.0-liter boxer-six
Base MSRP: $114,400
LEARN MORE READ THE REVIEW SHOP PRE-OWNED
Taycan
The Taycan, pronounced "tie-con," is Porsche's first production electric car. It debuted for the 2020 model year. It runs on Porsche's high-performance J1 EV platform, which it shares with the Audi E-Tron GT. It comes as both a sedan or Sport/Cross Turismo wagon. The base "Taycan" is a single-motor RWD vehicle. All other Taycans have front and rear motors and all-wheel drive. New Taycan GTS models slot between the base models and high-performance Turbo models.
The Taycan earned low numbers in EPA range testing, hovering around 200 miles. However, real-world testing performance places the Porsche far closer to the Tesla Model S than the EPA numbers would suggest.
Body Styles:
- Sedan
- Wagon
Models:
- Taycan / Taycan 4S
- Taycan 4 Cross Turismo / Taycan 4S Cross Turismo
- Taycan GTS
- Taycan GTS Sport Turismo
- Taycan Turbo / Taycan Turbo S
- Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo / Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo S
Engines:
- Single-motor RWD
- Dual-motor AWD
Base MSRP: $90,900
LEARN MORE READ THE REVIEW SHOP PRE-OWNED
Panamera
The Panamera is Porsche's front-engined, four-door car. Consider it a cross between a sports car and a sports sedan. The Panamera comes in Sedan, longer wheelbase Executive and Sport Turismo wagon body styles. All Panameras come with an eight-speed PDK automatic transmission.
Porsche gave the lineup a substantial refresh for the 2021 model year. The base Panamera has a 325 hp V6 and either RWD or AWD. Buyers can upgrade to a 552-hp V6 Panamera 4S E-Hybrid, a 473-hp V8 Panamera GTS, a 620-hp V8 Panamera Turbo S and a 689-hp Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
Body Styles:
- Sedan
- Long-wheelbase Sedan
- Wagon
Models:
- Panamera / Panamera Platinum Edition
- Panamera 4 / Panamera 4 Executive / Panamera 4 Sport Turismo / Panamera 4 Platinum Edition
- Panamera 4S / Panamera 4S Executive / Panamera 4S Sport Turismo
- Panamera 4 E-Hybrid / Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Exeuctive / Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo / Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Platinum Edition
- Panamera 4S E-Hybrid / Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Executive / Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
- Panamera GTS / Panamera GTS Sport Turismo
- Panamera Turbo S / Panamera Turbo S Executive / Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo
- Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid / Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive / Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
Engines:
- Twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6
- Twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 hybrid
- Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8
- Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 hybrid
Base MSRP: $92,400
LEARN MORE READ THE REVIEW SHOP PRE-OWNED
Porsche SUVs / Crossovers:
Macan
The Macan is Porsche's entry-level compact crossover. It debuted for the 2014 model year, and it remains Porsche's best-selling model; in 2019, Porsche sold more Macans in the U.S. than the 911, 718, Panamera and Taycan combined. All Macans feature all-wheel drive and a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission.
Porsche refreshed the Macan for 2022 with new and more powerful versions of the Macan, Macan S and Macan GTS trims. Porsche also added a stripped-down, lightweight Macan T model f0r 2023. Porsche's next-generation Macan will be an electric car, though the combustion model should stick around for a bit.
Body Style:
- SUV
Models:
- Macan
- Macan T
- Macan S
- Macan GTS
Engines:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four
- Turbocharged 2.9-liter V6
- Twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6
Base MSRP: $60,900
LEARN MORE READ THE REVIEW SHOP PRE-OWNED
Cayenne
The Cayenne is Porsche's midsize luxury SUV. The third-generation model debuted in the U.S. for the 2019 model year. Each trim is available as a Cayenne Coupe variant with a rakish roofline. The new halo Cayenne Turbo GT isn't labeled as a coupe because it only comes as a coupe. Prices range from the $79,200 base model to the $196,300 Cayenne Turbo GT.
Porsche gave the Cayenne a substantial facelift for 2024. Upgrades include a new digital cockpit and more power to every engine variant, with the Cayenne S getting a V8, a new exterior and an upgraded chassis and suspension setup. A Cayenne EV is expected to arrive in 2026.
Body Styles:
- SUV
- SUV Coupe
Models:
- Cayenne / Cayenne Coupe
- Cayenne E-Hybrid / Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe
- Cayenne S / Cayenne S Coupe
- Cayenne Turbo GT
Engines:
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter V6
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 plug-in hybrid
- 4.0-liter V8
- Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 plug-in hybrid
Base MSRP: $79,200