2021 reports are in, and EVs are up: Porsche’s Taycan surpasses the brand’s 911 sports car, outselling the longstanding model by 2,832 units. As the German automaker continues setting records, we consider the best (relatively) affordable pre-owned Porsches that you can own now.
Key Points
- In a record year for Porsche, the luxury automaker sold a total 301,915 units in 2021, with models like the Taycan and 911 both reaching new highs.
- Surprisingly, the 2021 Taycan EV outperformed the infamous 911 sports car’s end-of-year sales, surpassing the model by 2,832 units, at 41,296 total.
- Much of the Taycans popularity growth stems from its new entry-level rear-wheel-drive trim, which cuts base pricing from around $104,000 to $79,900.
- SUV sales were still the driving force behind Porsche’s record year, with dealers moving 88,362 Macans and 83,071 midsize Cayenne models in 2021.
- Prefer to avoid the sticker shock of a new Porsche while still turning heads? Consider used models like the 2015 Porsche Macan, 2013 911, and 2016 Panamera as worthy alternatives.
Demand for EVs is Skyrocketing, with Porsche Selling More All-electric Taycans than 911s in 2021
Porsche reports an 11 percent worldwide increase in sales for 2021, with the luxury automaker selling a record 301,915 units. Europe and Germany saw seven and eight percent gains, respectively, while China, the brand’s best-selling market, rose eight percent. At double the average, the U.S. takes the lead for the highest sales increase by year’s end at 22 percent.
In a historic first, the iconic 911 sports car fell behind the all-electric Taycan, which is even more impressive considering the 911 is coming off a 59-year record. Taycan EV sales rose a staggering 106 percent in 2021, for a total of 41,296 units, more than double the number sold in 2020.
Much of the rise stems from the release of a new, entry-level, rear-wheel-drive model that shaves a massive $24,100 off the previous year’s $104,000 sticker price, for a total of $79,900. While 2021 sales figures were higher than usual for the Taycan and 911, they pale in comparison to those of the brand’s best-selling SUV models.
Luxury SUVs still Top Porsche’s 2021 Sales Rankings, Panamera and 718 Boxter/Cayman Bring up the Rear
Demand for Luxury SUVs was on a frenzy in 2021, with the compact Porsche Macan findings its way to the driveways (and heated garages) of 88,362 homes in 2021, and claiming the title of the brand’s best-selling model. Right behind the Macan, 83,071 mid-size 2021 Cayenne SUVs were sold, which is down from 92,860 from the year before, but still a moneymaker for the luxury automaker.
Rounding off the list, dealers worldwide moved over 30,000 full-size Panameras and 20,502 Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman two-seaters. Porsche’s president, Oliver Blume, recently addressed the 2021 trend and whether the Panamera could survive as the market turns more toward EV models. “I think it could work,” said Blume in a press statement, “because they are playing in different segments. The Panamera is one step higher than the Taycan.” Whether the upcoming 2023 Panamera will feature a fully EV powertrain is still in question, but a hybrid option is rumored to be in the pipeline.
Porsche’s top six sellers around the world in 2021 include:
- Macan – 88,362
- Cayenne – 83,071
- Taycan – 41,296
- 911 – 38,464
- Panamera – 30,220
- 718 Boxster/Cayman – 20,502
Looking closer at the numbers, roughly two in five Porsche models sold in 2021 were either partial or fully electric. With an end-of-decade goal to have 80 percent of sales derived from electrified vehicle sales, the luxury automaker looks to be off to a great start.
Save a Few Bucks by Considering these Used Porsche Models as Worthy Alternatives to 2021’s New Top Sellers
If you haven’t built out a new Porsche recently, a 2021 Macan costs the least, with a base MSRP of $52,000 to $84,600, and the 911 is the costliest with a starting price of about $100,000, or with all the add-ons, as much as $216,000.
For those preferring to keep a little money in the bank, a clean, low-mileage used unit is a great option, especially if it’s part of Porsche’s Certified Used Program, which sees vehicles go through a more rigorous inspection process and extends warranty coverage by up to 36 months. Just know that CPO units tend to cost around $2,500 more than vehicles not included in the program.
Let’s now look at each of the brand’s best-sellers, the Macan, Cayenne, Taycan, 911, Panamera, and 718 Boxter/Cayman, and compare a few used alternatives that should provide much of the same appeal, but at a fraction of the price.
First-year 2015 Porsche Macan is a Solid Pre-owned Option with Few Recalls, and Fair Market Prices Starting at $29,300
The Macan debuted for 2015 as Porsche’s first attempt at a compact SUV. Great success followed, made especially clear by the newly released 2021 sales reports. Looking at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) figures for the Macan, no model year has ever had more than five recalls (2016) or 26 registered complaints (2017).
The 2015 model has just two recalls and only 12 complaints, shockingly low for a now seven-year-old vehicle. With a 2021 Kelley Blue Book Fair Market Range starting around $29,300 (factored with roughly 90,000 miles), the 2015 Macan makes a fine alternative that will still turn heads in typical Porsche fashion.
Porsche Cayenne Sports Impressive Reliability Ratings no Matter the Year, but 2017 Model Offers a Lot of Value for a Lot Less than New
The midsize Cayenne luxury SUV dates back to 2003 when the starting MSRP began at $56,665. Nowadays, new 2021 models range from $67,500 in Base configuration, up to $164,550 for the Turbo S E-Hybrid.
While any post-2011 second-gen. model is remarkably reliable, the 2017 Porsche Cayenne has just one recall on the books, one investigation, and three registered complaints. With around 69,000 miles, used models can be found for a hair under $40,000, per KBB, nearly $17,000 less than a base 2021 Cayenne.
What’s more, it’s new enough that it still qualifies for BMW’s CPO program for added peace of mind. A 2018 model adds around $6,400, and the redesigned 2019 jumps up to at least $64,900, nearly the price of a Base new unit.
911 Shoppers should Consider the Popular Sixth Gen. Models, while the 2016 Panamera is the Best Alternative to a New Taycan
After nearly 60 glorious years of thrilling automotive enthusiasts worldwide, the 911 needs little introduction. This two-door, four-seater is offered across a wide range of trim levels with 2021 MSRPs starting at $99,200 and reaching over $216,000 on a Turbo S Cabriolet without extras. There are seven generations of the 911, and the age-old debate as to which is best is a tough question to answer. Many will agree, though, that the sixth-gen. 911 (dubbed the 997 internally), is the best of the last decade.
Consider a 2013 model year 911, the last of the sixth generation. The NHTSA reports just one recall and two registered complaints. Factored with just 41,000 miles, KBB suggests a Fair Purchase Price of about $62,600, making it a fantastic used alternative to a new 911.
Porsches first all-electric sports car, the four-door Taycan, only debuted in 2020. With the release of the 2021 model’s lower-priced entry-level trim, MSRPs now range from $79,900 to $185,000, before optional add-ons.
Looking at the used market, switching to a 2020 model won’t save you a whole lot of cash. For this reason, the best alternative to a new Taycan, while still enjoying some electrification, is a 2016 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid (also four doors). The 2016 model, the last year of the first generation, has just three recalls and one registered complaint, and for a starting price of just under $42,000, it’s nearly half price. Blue Book values for a base, newly redesigned 2017 E-Hybrid model jumps more than $21,400 to $63,400.
2016 Panamera and 718 Boxter Offer Solid Engine Choices, Proven Capability, and Few Reported Problems
The Panamera debuted for 2010, a luxury sedan/lift with a unique silhouette, and a starting price of just under $91,000. Fast forward to 2021, and a base Porsche Panamera costs roughly the same as it did at launch. For a more thrilling experience (and for those with deeper wallets), spring for the $180,000 Turbo S. Similar to our alternative suggestion for the Taycan EV, the 2016 Panamera makes a great buy as the last of the first generation. Consider the base S, which still sports a 3.0L twin-turbo, but starts around $40,000 (when factored with roughly 74,000 miles).
The biggest difference between a 718 Boxter and a Cayman, is the Boxter is a convertible, whereas the Cayman is a costlier hardtop coupe. The Cayman debuted for the 2006 model year, sporting a $58,000 base MSRP. Porsche’s Boxter has been around since the mid-’90s, but debuted its second-generation alongside the Cayman, starting at $45,000 for a completely stripped-down model. Nowadays, the 2021 Cayman begins at $59,900 while the Boxter sits at $63,350. Both models can reach $150,000 if configured properly.
A reliable alternative would be the last year of the second-generation model, the 2016 Porsche Cayman, which has only ever had a single recall issued and three complaints registered. For a base model with around 38,000 miles, Kelley Blue Book puts a Fair Market Range of between $46,800 on a standard coupe, up to $87,700 on a track-ready GT4. Boxter models tend to run from $47,600 to in base form, up to $87,000 on a Spyder Roadster. You can also opt for a redesigned 2017 base Cayman for about the same price, but the model has had four recalls in comparison, and a still-open investigation into rupturing airbags.
Photos: Porsche
