Porsche 911 trim comparison
2026 Porsche 911 Carrera S vs Targa 4S
The 911 Carrera S starts at $170,100 while the Targa 4S is $180,200. That $10,100 gap buys 3 meaningful differences.
The Targa 4S adds AWD instead of RWD. If you deal with winter roads or need traction off-pavement, that could be worth $10,100 by itself. If not, the Carrera S saves you the money.
The Carrera S is the cleaner fit if RWD already covers the job. The Targa 4S only earns the extra money when AWD is the reason you are shopping up.
The cleanest way to feel this upgrade is through the payment: about $178/month more over 60 months, or roughly $10,680 extra all-in once interest is included. The real question is whether AWD changes your day-to-day use enough to justify paying above RWD.
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 extra traction matters for your weather, roads, or weekend use.
When both feel the same
The Carrera S 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 $10,100 for 2 measurable differences, which works out to about $5,050 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. 3 specification differences, 3 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2026. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | Carrera S | Targa 4S |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $170,100 | $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 | RWD | 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) | No published data | $2,900/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,609 lbs | 3,869 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 96.5" | 96.5" |
| Length | 178.8" | 178.8" |
| Width | 72.9" | 72.9" |
| Height | 51.3" | No published data |
| 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 S 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 S?
The Targa 4S starts at $180,200 compared to $170,100 for the Carrera S. That is a $10,100 difference, or approximately $178/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera S 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.
Does the 2026 911 Carrera S come with AWD?
No. The Carrera S comes standard with RWD while the Targa 4S has AWD. This affects traction, fuel economy, and curb weight.
What warranty does the 2026 Porsche 911 come with?
All 2026 Porsche 911 trims, including both the Carrera S 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.
Is the 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S worth $10,100 more than the Carrera S?
The $10,100 adds AWD. Worth it if you need the traction. Not worth it if you drive on dry roads year-round.
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.
Is the 911 Targa 4S Worth $10,100 More?
Spending $10,100 more on the 911 Targa 4S buys AWD. These are the kind of differences you notice every time you drive.
The Differences You'll Notice Most
The Targa 4S has AWD while the Carrera S has RWD. This affects traction, weight, and fuel economy.
What Both Trims Share
Despite the differences above, the Carrera S and Targa 4S share engine, transmission, and fuel economy, keeping the core 911 experience consistent across trims.
Bottom Line
The 911 Targa 4S costs $10,100 more than the Carrera S (about $178/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 2 meaningful changes at $5,050 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 S
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the Carrera S 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.