scorecardI drove a $2 million electric car and a $200,000 one. See the biggest differences — and similarities — between the two.
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  4. I drove a $2 million electric car and a $200,000 one. See the biggest differences — and similarities — between the two.

I drove a $2 million electric car and a $200,000 one. See the biggest differences and similarities — between the two.

Tim Levin   

I drove a $2 million electric car and a $200,000 one. See the biggest differences — and similarities — between the two.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo (bottom) and the Pininfarina Battista.Pininfarina; Tim Levin/Insider
  • I drove the $209,000 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo and the $2.2 million Pininfarina Battista.
  • Turns out there are some big differences between an electric car that's merely expensive and one that costs millions.

For most people, a $200,000 electric sports car might as well cost $2 million. They're never going to afford it anyway — unless they win the lottery or find the next Bitcoin.

For most people, a $200,000 electric sports car might as well cost $2 million. They
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

But there's actually a big difference between a six-figure electric vehicle and a seven-figure one.

But there
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

There are also a few surprising similarities. That's what I learned after testing the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo ($209,000) and the Pininfarina Battista ($2.2 million and up).

There are also a few surprising similarities. That
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

One commonality: Both are outrageously powerful and quick.

One commonality: Both are outrageously powerful and quick.
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Taycan has two motors, all-wheel drive, and can crank out up to 750 horsepower in short bursts. It'll rocket to 60 mph in a shocking, organ-compressing 2.7 seconds.

The Taycan has two motors, all-wheel drive, and can crank out up to 750 horsepower in short bursts. It
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

I didn't think anything could possibly feel faster — until I drove the Battista.

I didn
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

The new Italian supercar promises an absurd 1,900 horsepower and 1,726 pound-feet of torque.

The new Italian supercar promises an absurd 1,900 horsepower and 1,726 pound-feet of torque.
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

It scorches from a standstill to 60 mph in less than two seconds. That's faster than your brain can even process.

It scorches from a standstill to 60 mph in less than two seconds. That
The Pininfarina Battista.      TangentVector

Oh, and its top speed is 219 mph. The Taycan's is 155 mph.

Oh, and its top speed is 219 mph. The Taycan
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

Both cars handle incredibly well thanks to their precise steering and low center of gravity.

Both cars handle incredibly well thanks to their precise steering and low center of gravity.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Battista has double the motors of the Taycan, with one driving each wheel independently. That means the supercar can make minute adjustments to the torque sent to each corner, helping it around turns.

The Battista has double the motors of the Taycan, with one driving each wheel independently. That means the supercar can make minute adjustments to the torque sent to each corner, helping it around turns.
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

Then there's all-important driving range. The Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo is rated for 222 miles by the EPA.

Then there
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

Even though Battistas will spend most of their time in a garage and won't ever see a road trip, Pininfarina gave the car 300 miles of driving range.

Even though Battistas will spend most of their time in a garage and won
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

Let's talk about practicality.

Let
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

Both cars feel quite stiff driving down the road (that's a must for sporty handling) but the Taycan is much more comfortable to live with.

Both cars feel quite stiff driving down the road (that
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Battista is made almost entirely out of carbon fiber, which is super light and rigid but also unforgiving over bumps and cracks. You can hear pebbles bouncing off of the supercar's floor as you drive.

The Battista is made almost entirely out of carbon fiber, which is super light and rigid but also unforgiving over bumps and cracks. You can hear pebbles bouncing off of the supercar
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

It has two seats ...

It has two seats ...
The Pininfarina Battista.      TangentVector

... as opposed to the Taycan's four (or five, optionally).

... as opposed to the Taycan
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Pininfarina makes up for some of the driving harshness with plush, leather seats.

The Pininfarina makes up for some of the driving harshness with plush, leather seats.
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

Clearly, the Taycan holds more stuff for any sort of trip. It helps that the Cross Turismo is the station-wagon version, featuring a larger cargo area than the regular sedan.

Clearly, the Taycan holds more stuff for any sort of trip. It helps that the Cross Turismo is the station-wagon version, featuring a larger cargo area than the regular sedan.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

Plus it has a small front trunk.

Plus it has a small front trunk.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Battista does offer a teeny tiny storage area, though, and custom luggage to match.

The Battista does offer a teeny tiny storage area, though, and custom luggage to match.
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

On a daily basis, these cars' capabilities feel kind of similar, despite the $2 million gap in price.

On a daily basis, these cars
The 2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Turbo S.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Taycan is absurdly fast and an absolute blast to drive, just like the Battista.

The Taycan is absurdly fast and an absolute blast to drive, just like the Battista.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

Still, the Pininfarina is vastly more special and unique across the board.

Still, the Pininfarina is vastly more special and unique across the board.
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

It has a gorgeous, exotic design completed by doors that swing upward instead of out to the side.

It has a gorgeous, exotic design completed by doors that swing upward instead of out to the side.
The Pininfarina Battista.      TangentVector

A speaker system not only pumps futuristic driving sounds into the car, but also broadcasts them outside of it.

A speaker system not only pumps futuristic driving sounds into the car, but also broadcasts them outside of it.
The Pininfarina Battista.      TangentVector

At idle, the Battista emits a hum like a spaceship in some science-fiction movie, bringing some extra drama to the supercar's presence.

At idle, the Battista emits a hum like a spaceship in some science-fiction movie, bringing some extra drama to the supercar
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

Its body vibrates artificially to the touch, even though there's no rumbling gas engine deep inside.

Its body vibrates artificially to the touch, even though there
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

Moreover, only a select few people will ever own a Battista, as the company plans to make 150 of them and move on to its next project.

Moreover, only a select few people will ever own a Battista, as the company plans to make 150 of them and move on to its next project.
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

Each car will be hand-built to customer specifications over roughly 1,300 hours.

Each car will be hand-built to customer specifications over roughly 1,300 hours.
The Pininfarina Battista.      Tim Levin/Insider

To sum things up: You buy a Taycan if you want a decent amount of space for people and things plus supercar performance.

To sum things up: You buy a Taycan if you want a decent amount of space for people and things plus supercar performance.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.      Tim Levin/Insider

You buy a Battista because you demand the full supercar experience without compromise. And because you can.

You buy a Battista because you demand the full supercar experience without compromise. And because you can.
The Pininfarina Battista.      TangentVector
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