Porsche Cayenne GTS E3.1 vs Tesla Model Y Performance: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model Y Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.76 s versus 4.37 s for the Cayenne GTS. The instant torque of 670 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.61 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the Model Y Performance is doing 152 km/h against 142 km/h for the Cayenne GTS. The gap is 0.36 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model Y Performance crosses the line in 12.01 s versus 12.66 s. The 0.64 s gap represents roughly 31 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model Y Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 209 km/h versus 197 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model Y Performance finishes in 22.06 s versus 23.37 s, with a 1.31 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (266 km/h), the Cayenne GTS never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Cayenne GTS is capped at 270 km/h, the Model Y Performance at 249 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit — it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 6.93 seconds. The 0.61 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.