Porsche 911

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

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.

Which 911 does MatoCar 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.

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 system

Otherwise, 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: