Porsche 911 trim comparison
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S vs Targa 4S
The 911 Carrera 4S starts at $164,500 while the Targa 4S is $180,200. That $15,700 gap buys 2 meaningful differences.
$15,700 more is ~$276/month. The question is whether the added equipment will matter to you every week.
The Carrera 4S is the cleaner stopping point if keeping roughly $276/month in your budget matters. The Targa 4S earns the extra money only if you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty.
Think about this as a monthly tradeoff, not just a sticker gap. The Targa 4S adds about $276/month on a typical 60-month loan, or around $16,560 more overall with interest. At this end of the market, the payment change usually matters less than whether the added equipment actually changes daily use.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you want the nicer equipment factory-installed and under warranty.
When both feel the same
The Carrera 4S and Targa 4S are mechanically identical where it counts: the same 8-speed automated manual transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $15,700 for 1 measurable difference, which works out to about $15,700 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 2 specification differences, 4 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2026. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | Carrera 4S | Targa 4S |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $164,500 | $180,200 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 3.0L flat 6 Turbo | 3.0L flat 6 Turbo |
| Horsepower | 473 hp | 473 hp |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated manual | 8-speed automated manual |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 17 | 17 |
| Highway MPG | 24 | 24 |
| Combined MPG | 20 | 20 |
| Fuel Tank | 16.6 gal | 16.6 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $2,900/yr | $2,900/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,523 lbs | 3,869 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 96.5" | 96.5" |
| Length | 178.8" | 178.8" |
| Width | 72.9" | 72.9" |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 4yr/50k | 4yr/50k |
| Powertrain | 4yr/50k | 4yr/50k |
| Corrosion | 12yr/unlimited | 12yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 4yr/50k | 4yr/50k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S vs Targa 4S Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Porsche 911 lineup, the Porsche brand hub, the Sports Cars, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2026 911 Targa 4S cost than the Carrera 4S?
The Targa 4S starts at $180,200 compared to $164,500 for the Carrera 4S. That is a $15,700 difference, or approximately $276/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and Targa 4S have the same engine?
Yes. Both use the 3.0L flat 6 Turbo producing 473 hp. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.
Do the 2026 911 Carrera 4S and Targa 4S have the same drivetrain?
Yes. Both come with AWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.
What warranty does the 2026 Porsche 911 come with?
All 2026 Porsche 911 trims, including both the Carrera 4S and Targa 4S, come with Porsche's standard warranty: 4yr/50k bumper-to-bumper and 4yr/50k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
Breaking Down the $15,700 Gap
Same engine, drivetrain, fuel economy, $15,700 more. The 911 Targa 4S adds minor equipment upgrades over the Carrera 4S, but the core driving experience is identical.
What Both Trims Share
The 911 Carrera 4S and Targa 4S share the same engine, drivetrain, transmission, and fuel economy. The $15,700 difference comes down to 1 feature and equipment change, not mechanical differences.
The Short Version
The 911 Targa 4S costs $15,700 more than the Carrera 4S (about $276/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 1 meaningful change at $15,700 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the Carrera 4S best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Porsche 911 Targa 4S
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the Targa 4S when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2026 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Porsche or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-07-11. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.