2021 Porsche 911 Review

　　

2021 Porsche 911 Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　First impressions are important, right? Well, Porsche apparently wants to make a great one — it's kicked off its 2021 911 range by reintroducing several of its most well-known 911 versions: the Turbo and Turbo S as well as the 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S.

　　The latest 911 Turbo can trace its roots back to the 1974 original. That model, which reached the U.S. in 1976, was one of the first road cars to deploy a turbocharger and was crude by modern standards. This latest model is anything but, boasting an armada of technology to harness the rear-mounted engine's output of 572 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque — slightly less power but more torque than the last-gen Turbo S.

　　As for the Targa, the new version features a hardtop panel above the passengers that can be lowered and concealed behind the rear seats. Unlike a traditional convertible, a fixed rear portion with wraparound glass remains in place regardless of the hardtop panel position. With all this going on, it's possible to forget about the standard 911 Carrera. But rest assured, it's still here for 2021.

　　Overall, the 911 is one of our favorite cars on the road today. Its combination of performance excellence, everyday usability and customization just can't be beat. Check out our Expert Rating below for an even more in-depth evaluation.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.5/10

　　How does the 911 drive? We tested the 911 Carrera S with the PDK eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Acceleration is impressively rapid in any situation. The launch control mode is easy to activate, and with it we observed a 0-60 mph sprint of just 3.2 seconds. This car feels as if it can run at full throttle and high speeds all day.

　　Similarly impressive are the brakes. Our test vehicle had the optional carbon-ceramic brakes, and they stopped our test car from 60 mph in a scant 97 feet. The brake feel and pedal effort are excellent for both casual and high-performance driving. Around turns, the 911 is so quick and precise that it feels as if it's tapped directly into the driver's mind. Even with all this capability, the 911 is an easy car to drive in everyday conditions thanks to its best-in-the-business PDK automatic transmission. The breadth of the 911's capabilities is nearly unrivaled at this price.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the 911? Overall comfort is impressive considering how much performance the 911 provides. The optional ventilated adaptive sport seats are agreeable even after several hours of driving, for instance. Our test vehicle had the optional sport suspension. With it, you'll feel every flaw in the road, but impacts are never harsh, even when driving in Sport mode.

　　Road noise is more noticeable than in some rival sports cars, but it's not grating. The engine sounds rough and surprisingly unrefined at cold startup and doesn't really start sounding like a proper 911 flat-six until you get the revs high. Buyers new to the 911 might not mind, but returning customers will pine for the sound of older 911s.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The 911's cabin layout is delightfully familiar yet pleasingly modern. Compared to the previous-generation 911, there are more touchscreen controls and fewer physical buttons. Unfortunately, the touchscreen requires a bit of a reach to use, and pushing a desired virtual button can be a somewhat elusive task when you're driving over a bumpy road. The driving position is otherwise excellent.

　　The 911's cabin gives you the traditional snug sports-car experience, yet there's still plenty of space for taller passengers up front. Outward visibility is excellent. As usual, the rear seats are laughably small and better used for cargo than people, but you could argue that having them is better than not having any rear seats at all.

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Porsche bills itself as a builder of driver's cars, making technology and infotainment secondary concerns. While some owners may appreciate that sentiment, we're sure more will be disappointed in both the execution and functionality of many of the 911's advanced features.

　　For example, many drivers will find the high-definition touchscreen and controller knob placed just out of reach and the on-screen buttons too small. Apple CarPlay is easier to use and has more natural voice controls than Porsche's native system, but Android Auto is not offered. The standard audio system is truly disappointing — it sounds weak and suffers from terrible staging.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Because the engine occupies the rear half of the car, cargo space is restricted to a 4.6-cubic-foot bin under the hood. It's large enough for two soft-sided carry-on bags but not much else. You can use the rear seats for additional storage, but getting stuff in and out requires an awkward stoop and a tight squeeze. There's also not a lot of space for your personal items. The cupholders, pockets and bins are all small, so pack accordingly.

　　Want to take your new baby along for a ride? The car seat anchors are easy to find, but that's about the only good thing we can say. The lack of rear seat room means installing a child safety seat is very difficult. (The same goes for getting a child in or out.) If you really need a vehicle for family duty, the Panamera, Cayenne and Macan are obviously better suited.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Carrera S at 21 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway), which is good for the class. As with any sports car, achieving those results is an exercise in restraint. On our best behavior, we only managed 16.4 mpg. On a racetrack, our results plummeted to a wastefully rewarding 6.6 mpg.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the 911 a good value? The Carrera and Carrera S base pricing is right in there with other sports car rivals, but you won't get nearly as many standard features as you would with the competition. At this price, competitors such as BMW M850i come almost fully loaded. In some cases, you'd have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to option up a 911 to a similar specification. Of course, the build quality is excellent, and Porsche offers nearly endless opportunities for personalization. In warranty coverage and ownership experience, it's comparable to the rest of the class.

　　

Wildcard

10.0/10

　　When it comes to pure driving joy, the 911 Carrera S gets it right. It's very entertaining to drive and, even more important, it's easy to drive in a spirited manner. The impeccable steering and predictable handling encourage the driver to push a little harder, yet the 911 remains controllable if you overstep those boundaries.

　　Just as impressive as its outright performance is the 911's friendly demeanor in everyday situations. The 911 is perhaps a victim of its own success since its prevalence means it doesn't turn heads as much as some other sports cars. But it hasn't lost any of its style or desirability.

　　

Which 911 does zzdcar recommend?

As much as we enjoy the outlandish power available in the 911 Turbo, we suggest going with the midlevel Carrera S. It offers plenty of accessible performance and can be loaded up with options and still not come close to touching the Turbo's price. And which options should you get? That's pretty much up to you, but at the very least we suggest opting for the Sport Chrono package.

　　

2021 Porsche 911 models

The Porsche 911's lineup expands for 2021. Besides the Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, we also get the Targa 4, Targa 4S, Turbo and Turbo S. The Carrera and Turbo models are available as both a coupe and a convertible (the Cabriolet), while the Targa twins use a power-retractable roof panel that splits the difference between a coupe and a convertible.

　　All 911s are powered by a rear-mounted turbocharged flat-six engine that drives the wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (Porsche's PDK). For those who prefer to row their own gears, a seven-speed manual is available on Carrera S and Targa 4S models.

　　Carrera and Carrera 4

　　The base Carrera and Carrera 4 use a rear-mounted 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (379 hp, 331 lb-ft). The standard Carrera has rear-wheel drive, while the Carrera 4 (and other 4-badged models) comes with all-wheel drive. Standard feature highlights include:

　　Adaptive suspension LED headlights Keyless entry and ignition Heated sport seats with power-adjustable backrest Partial leather upholstery Two-zone automatic climate control 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system Navigation Wireless Apple CarPlay Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)From there, you can select from a long list of options, covering driver aids to upgraded interior trims. Notable picks include:

　　Custom paint colors Larger wheels Upgraded leather upholstery Upgraded seats Heated steering wheel Sunroof Sport exhaust system Larger fuel tank Front-axle lift Carbon-ceramic brakes Lane keeping assist (steers the 911 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Porsche and the car in front) Sport Chrono package Dash-mounted analog and digital chronograph Steering wheel-mounted drive mode dial Launch control Active suspension mounts Tire temperature display Porsche Track Precision App Premium package Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Bose audio system Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the 911 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Ventilated front seats Power-folding mirrors Ambient interior lighting Carrera S and Carrera 4S

　　Standard features generally mirror those on the standard Carrera. But both the Carrera S and 4S get a significant bump in power, pushing output up to 443 hp and 390 lb-ft. Other standard performance upgrades include:

　　Larger brakes Larger wheels and tires Electronically controlled torque-vectoring differential for improved traction Sport Chrono package (standard with manual transmission, optional on automatics) Optional rear-axle steering (improves high-speed stability and makes parking easier)Targa 4 and Targa 4S

　　The Targa 4 and 4S generally mirror the Carrera 4 and 4S, respectively, when it comes to performance, features and options. As with other 4-badged models, the Targa 4 and 4S come standard with all-wheel drive. There's also a limited-run Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition that comes with exclusive paint colors, retro racing livery graphics, special Porsche badges and an exclusive two-tone interior.

　　Turbo

　　The 911 Turbo comes with a 3.8-liter six-cylinder that spools out 572 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, and the only available transmission is the eight-speed dual-clutch. Additional standard features on the Turbo include:

　　Rear-axle steering 14-way adjustable sport seats Sport Chrono package Bose audio systemOtherwise, options on the 911 Turbo generally mirror those on the Carrera S.

　　Turbo S

　　Consider the Turbo S the king of the hill. Output rises to 640 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the extra grunt, standard features on the Turbo S include:

　　Carbon-ceramic brakes Upgraded suspension Upgraded aerodynamics 18-way adjustable seatsThe Turbo S is available with:

　　Lightweight package 66-pound weight reduction Lighter front bucket seats (standard seats are available) Rear seats removed Thinner glass Reduced sound deadening

　　

2021 911 Highlights

Type: CoupeTurbo SConvertibleCoupe

　　Trim: CarreraCarrera 4Carrera STarga 4Carrera 4STarga 4STurboTarga 4S Heritage Design EditionTurbo SCarrera

　　

Base MSRP	$99,200
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$228/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	4.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles