Porsche Model Lineup Explained

Few automotive manufacturers have the aura around their name that Porsche does. Famous for staying true to its roots while delivering some of the most refined driving experiences on the market, Porsche appeals to a certain type of owner. 

However, within Porsche’s lineup are a variety of vehicles built for different buyers and budgets. While each retains its Porsche DNA in various ways, they also have differences (including features, engine options, trims, and special edition models) that can make the buying process overwhelming for those unfamiliar.

Porsche’s Model Lineup Explained

Lingo You Should Know

• MSRP: Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
• Boxer: An engine layout referring to cylinders sitting horizontally and directly opposite each other, as opposed to at an angle like in “V” shaped engine layouts. 
• PDK: A German abbreviation for Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, which means Porsche Dual-Clutch Gearbox.
• Turbo: Used to designate any turbocharged Porsche, but has become Porsche’s general naming term for “high-performance”, as even most lower trims are now equipped with turbocharged motors, and some Porsche EVs carry the turbo moniker despite not having an internal combustion engine, let alone a turbocharger
• RS: Rennsport, which is German for racing.

Coupes/Sedans/Wagons

718

While being some of the least expensive Porsches on the new market, the 718 lineup retains much of the handling characteristics that Porsche is renowned for. The 718 comes in two main flavors, the Cayman and the Boxster. While not as powerful as its more famous cousin, the 911, the 718 is considered one of the purest “driver’s cars” on the market. It provides a light chassis and rear-mid engine layout not found in most sportscars at this price point. Most 718 models offer a choice between a seven-speed PDK gearbox or a six-speed manual. 

The original Boxster was Porsche’s less-expensive option, first offered in the 1997 model year. This vehicle is largely credited with helping save Porsche, which was struggling as a company at the time. In its current rendition, the Boxster is the convertible version of the 718 sportscar. 

The Cayman is the Boxster’s hardtop brother, retaining the same 718 chassis but with a two-door hardtop design that stiffens the chassis and lightens the vehicle with the exclusion of a heavy convertible top mechanism (as well as a slightly cheaper price tag). 

Two special 718 models sit atop the lineup, with a price tag far above the others. The Cayman GT4 RS is a track-focused offering with performance suspension and aggressive aerodynamic components. The 718 Spyder RS is built on the same powertrain and chassis but comes with a soft-top convertible roof and is designed for spirited driving through windy roads. 

MSRP: $68,300-$160,700

Available Models (Listed least to most expensive):

• Cayman
• Boxster
• Cayman Style Edition
• Boxster Style Edition
• Cayman S
• Boxster S
• Cayman GTS 4.0
• Boxster GTS 4.0
• Cayman GT4 RS
• Spyder RS

Available Engines (Listed least to most powerful):

• Turbocharged 2.0L boxer-four 
• Turbocharged 2.5L boxer-four
• 4.0L boxer-six

911

As Porsche’s flagship sports car, the 911 needs no introduction. Its rear-engined layout and timeless design live on in the newest generation, the 992, which debuted for the 2019 model year. 

Originally debuting in 1963, the 911’s look has changed as little as a vehicle can over 60 years. The same could be said mechanically, as the 992 generation carries the same rear-engined flat-six layout that helped make the 911 the legend it’s become. 

In its newest form, the 911 is offered in countless different trims (25, to be exact), including three different body styles. 

Carrera

The Carrera models are the lowest trims of the 911, offered in regular and Cabriolet (convertible) body styles. Porsche also offers “S” models of the Carrera with increased power (443 HP instead of the base 379 HP), as well as the “4” models which bring all-wheel drive (AWD) to the table. The “T” suffix denotes the “touring” models, which retain the power output of the base model but add sportier suspension and reduced weight. 

Targa

The Targa models each have a retro-style convertible body style with its distinctive roll bar and rounded rear glass window. The Targa models are currently only offered in AWD trims. Interestingly, the Targa top body style was originally introduced in the ‘60s when Porsche feared the United States would outlaw traditional convertibles for roll-over concerns. As customers liked the unique look and increased chassis rigidity, it stuck. 

Carerra/Targa GTS

The Carrera and Targa models with GTS in the name are premium twin-turbo-powered trims, pushing out over 473 HP. They also see more aggressive styling, improved handling, and decreased weight. 

Turbo

The next step up is the 911 Turbo models, which feature over 572 HP, or 650 HP in the Turbo S trim. These are the ultimate daily-driver Porsches, with plenty of power yet comfortable suspension and interiors. 

GT3

The GT3 and GT3 RS 911s sit atop the lineup’s performance pedestal. While both are less powerful than the Turbo, the GT3 (502 HP) and GT3 RS (518 HP) both provide a focus on hardcore handling and downforce. The GT3 is the more comfortable and daily-driveable of the two, while the GT3 RS is Porsche’s “street-legal race car”. 

Special Edition 911s

Porsche also offers two limited special editions. The 911 Sport Classic is a high-powered 911 with a focus on driving experience, offering rear-wheel drive fun and an engaging manual transmission (a layout no longer found on any other 911s). The 911 Dakar is a new offering with an off-road focus, acting as an homage to the Porsche racecar that won the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 with the same livery adorned on the new iteration.

MSRP: $114,400-$290,000

Available Models (Listed least to most expensive):

• 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
• GT3, GT3 with Touring Package, GT3 RS
• Turbo, Turbo S
• Turbo Cabriolet, Turbo S Cabriolet
• Dakar
• Sport Classic

Available Engines (Listed least to most powerful):

• Twin-turbocharged 3.0L boxer-six
• Twin-turbocharged 3.8L boxer-six
• 4.0L boxer-six

Panamera

The Panamera is Porsche’s traditional sedan/wagon offering, striking a balance between the traditional family sedan and sports car. The Panamera is currently offered as a sedan, long-wheelbase “Executive” sedan, and “Sport Turismo” wagon body styles. 

The base-trim Panamera is equipped with a 325 HP V6 motor, while the 620 HP V8 is the most powerful non-hybrid Panamera you can have optioned.

Those looking for electrified options have plenty to choose from in the performance department, as the 689 HP Panamera Turbo S Hybrid is the fastest model of the whole group, along with its little brother, the 552 HP V6 hybrid found in the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid.

Each of these powertrains is mated to an eight-speed PDK transmission. 

MSRP: $92,400-$206,800

Available Models (Listed cheapest to most expensive):

• Panamera, Panamera Platinum Edition
• Panamera 4, Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera 4 Executive, Panamera 4 Sport Turismo
• Panamera 4S, Panamera 4S Executive, Panamera 4S Sport Turismo
• Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Platinum Edition, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
• Panamera 4S E-Hyrbid, Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Executive, Panamera 4S E-Hyrbid 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 4S E-Hybrid Executive, Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo

Available Engines (Listed least to most powerful):

• Twin-turbocharged 2.9L V6
• Twin-turbocharged 2.9L V6 Hyrbid
• Twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8
• Twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 Hybrid

Taycan

The Taycan is Porsche’s first foray into the electrical vehicle market. Originally introduced in 2020, the Taycan is built on VW Group’s J1 EV platform, the same underpinnings as Audi’s E-Tron GT. 

The base-trim Taycan comes as a single-motor RWD setup, while the rest of the Taycan lineup is equipped with dual-motor and AWD. There are countless versions of the Taycan available, each with different power output or body styles setting them apart. 

Porsche offers three body styles of the Taycan: the sedan, and two different versions of a wagon. The Cross Turismo and Sport Turismo wagon body styles are both similar mechanically but differ in aesthetics and ride height. The Sport Turismo (currently only offered as a GTS trim) sits slightly lower with sportier styling, whereas the Cross Turismo has between 20-30mm extra in ride height and some utilitarian plastic body cladding for off-road applications.

MSRP: $90,900-$197,500

Available Models (Listed cheapest to most expensive):

• Taycan
• Taycan 4, Taycan 4 Cross Turismo
• Taycan 4S, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo
• Taycan GTS, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo
• Taycan Turbo, Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo
• Taycan Turbo S, Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo

Available Powertrains (Listed least to most powerful):

• Single Motor, RWD
• Dual Motor, AWD

Crossovers/SUVs

Macan

Since 2014, the Macan has been Porsche’s entry-level vehicle aimed at a practical audience looking for Porsche quality in a crossover form factor. While being the cheapest new Porsche vehicle available in its lowest trim, it’s also the best-selling.

All Macan models share a platform with the Audi Q5 and are equipped with AWD and a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission. The Macan S and GTS add significant power increases and performance additions, while the newly introduced Macan T is a stripped-down version of the base Macan with less weight.

MSRP: $60,900-$86,800

Available Models (Listed cheapest to most expensive):

• Macan
• Macan T
• Macan S
• Macan GTS

Available Engines (Listed least to most powerful):

• Turbocharged 2.0L inline-four
• Turbocharged 2.9L V6
• Twin-turbocharged 2.9L V6

Cayenne

The Cayenne is Porsche’s mid-size SUV, and the largest vehicle in the entire lineup. As the bigger brother to the Macan, the Cayenne starts at a higher price and is offered with more powerful engine options.

The Cayenne comes in two different body styles: the regular Cayenne mid-size SUV along with the Cayenne Coupe, which boasts a sportier roofline. The two different engines offered are a turbocharged 3.0L V6 as well as a 4.0L V8. Both of these motor options are on the hybrid models. 

The ultimate Cayenne comes in the form of the Cayenne Turbo GT, which is powered by the 4.0L V8 with twin turbochargers putting out over 650 HP. 

MSRP: $79,200-$196,300

Available Models (Listed least to most expensive):

• Cayenne, Cayenne Coupe
• Cayenne E-Hybrid, Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe
• Cayenne S, Cayenne S Coupe
• Cayenne S E-Hybrid, Cayenne S E-Hyrbid Coupe
• Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe
• Cayenne Turbo GT

Available Engines (Listed least to most powerful):

• Turbocharged 3.0L V6
• 4.0L V8
• Twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8

Which Porsche is Right For Me?

Each model in Porsche’s lineup has characteristics that make it suited for a certain driver. 

The 718 provides an unparalleled driving experience with its mid-engined layout and light chassis while still appealing to the cost-minded buyer. The 718 can also be fitted with a six-speed manual, which is absent on the vast majority of Porsche’s other vehicles. On the other hand, its more famous counterpart, the 911, sticks to the formula that made the brand such a legendary marquee in the first place. There’s no substitute for what makes the 911 special, which is why it continues to be the flagship sportscar in Porsche’s lineup. 

The Panamera retains much of the engaging driving experience of a Porsche product, with a punchy engine and luxurious interior finishes, while checking the boxes for those buyers in need of a more practical option. Porsche offers the vehicle numerous trims and powertrains, meaning you have plenty of room for choice when picking one out. 

Porsche’s Taycan line has many of the same benefits as the Panamera but ditches internal combustion entirely for an electric powertrain. Offered in three practical body styles, the Taycan strikes a balance of space and performance. With the electric motor’s instant torque, you’ll be far from lacking acceleration. In practical testing, the Taycan models exceeded their manufacturer-stated battery range numbers, and came very close to matching those of other notable EVs. 

For those with families or looking for a true entry-level Porsche, the Macan won’t be beaten. Its crossover body style lends itself well to being a daily driver, and the price falls far below the rest of the lineup. 

The Cayenne rounds out Porsche’s models as the largest of the bunch. For those looking for a luxurious midsize SUV, not many options out there provide the performance and quality of a Cayenne. With a base MSRP of $79,200 and a maximum MSRP of $196,300, there’s a Cayenne trim for various price points and types of drivers. 

Porsche Services in Ann Arbor

If you own a Porsche, look no further than Orion Automotive Services for quality service and repair! Our expert technicians have the extensive experience and state-of-the-art equipment needed to take care of your Porsche with the highest standards of work. Give us a call or schedule online!