• Auto123 reviews the 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S.
How time flies. Porsche’s take on the Targa concept has been around for 60 years, born in a time when concerns for safety were viewed a little differently, let’s say. Things have evolved, and so has Porsche’s 911 Targa.
The 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S sits in the middle of Porsche’s rather large 911 lineup, not a bad place to be all told. The goal of this model for Porsche is to deliver exceptional performance alongside everyday usability, all under one of the most distinctive roof designs in the automotive world.
It’s just, if you’re wondering about the price, that very fact probably means you can’t afford it. But let’s not spoil the party.
2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S – What’s new?
For 2026, the Targa 4S benefits from a power boost of 30 hp compared to last year, achieved via an optimized intercooler system borrowed from the 911 Turbo. Chassis dynamics are enhanced by the standard all-wheel drive, standard rear-axle steering and an optional Sport Suspension that lowers the ride height by 10 mm.
Longtime Porsche purists will note the departure of two traditional interior elements: the iconic analogue centre tachometer is now fully digital, and the left-side ignition switch has been replaced by a push-button starter.
Additional updates for 2026 include a cooled wireless smartphone charging compartment in the centre console and faster Porsche Communication Management (PCM) software with App Centre integration and Dolby Atmos support.
Powertrain of the 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S – 9.5/10
Mounted behind the rear axle is a twin-turbocharged 3.0L flat-6 engine generating 473 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The manual gearbox no longer being available on the Targa 4S, power is routed exclusively through an 8-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The all-wheel-drive system operates primarily with a rear-wheel bias but can send up to 50 percent of available torque to the front wheels via a multi-plate clutch when traction demands it. Agility is further sharpened by Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+), which lightly brakes the inside rear wheel during cornering.
Equipped with the optional Sport Chrono package, the Targa 4S accelerates from a stop to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. Note that for buyers seeking even more, the Targa 4 GTS ratchets output up to 532 hp and cuts the 0-100 km/h sprint down to 3.1 seconds.
Design of the 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S – 9.0/10
Presented as a “safety cabriolet” by Porsche when it was first introduced featuring a protective roll hoop at the 1965 Frankfurt auto show, the Targa design has unsurprisingly evolved since. During our summertime drive of the car, we could stow the roof in a mere 19 seconds, the mechanized tech performing a marvelous and complex operation while retaining the transverse brushed aluminium roll hoop.
The low, wide silhouette of the 992.2-generation body can be tailored with options such as Aventurine Green Metallic paint, 20- and 21-inch Carrera Classic wheels, body-coloured mirrors, painted rear grille slats and an Exclusive Design fuel cap.
It should be noted that the thick roll hoop does create rear blind spots, making the optional surround-view camera system and blind-spot monitoring highly recommended additions.
Interior of the 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S – 8.0/10
The cabin provides a low, natural seating position; your comfort is further enhanced by the high-grade materials and solid construction feel that surrounds you. The standard two-way power seats can be switched for other possibilities, such as 14-way adaptive Sport Seats. For the upholstery, you can go for two-tone leather combinations like Black and Chalk Beige, with optional Porsche crests embossed into the headrests and Light Silver accents.
Thankfully, Porsche has retained physical controls in prominent positions on the centre console so no need to take eyes off road to search for climate functions, audio settings or roof operation.
You won’t be shocked to learn that while the front seats offer superb long-distance support, the rear seats remain virtually unusable for adult passengers, serving best as extra cabin storage to supplement the front luggage bin, or frunk.
Technology in the 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S – 7.5/10
The 2026 PCM system features a 10.9-inch central touchscreen supported by faster software, an App Centre and Voice Pilot with Amazon Alexa integration. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with navigation directions capable of projecting directly into the digital instrument cluster.
Standard driver assistance features include traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assistance, emergency braking assistance and driver awareness detection.
The $6,020 Premium package adds key technical upgrades, including:
- • Surround View with Active Parking Support
- • Lane Change Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control
- • A Bose surround sound system with Dolby Atmos support (or an optional Burmester system)
Driving the 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S – 9.5/10
Like any self-respecting 911, the Targa 4S demonstrates remarkable poise on the road, offering tremendous tactile feedback even at modest city speeds thanks to its direct steering and responsive brake pedal feel. The dual-clutch PDK transmission operates smoothly in normal driving modes, but it truly shines in Sport and Sport Plus modes, in which it executes instantaneous, telepathic shifts.
The ride can be on the firm side when you’re on rougher city streets, and tire and engine noise are ever-present inside the cabin. But of course, in a car like this, those are just temporary irritants, a rite of passage as you take your 911 Targa 4S to where it really wants to go. And that is on winding roads. At that point you select Sport Plus and Jekyll turns into Hyde as the car transforms, taking on its true nature. The flat-6 engine sings toward its 7,300-rpm redline, the front end bites eagerly into corners, and standard rear-axle steering makes the sports car feel compact and agile.
Straight-line acceleration is remarkable and you feel absolutely glued to the road in your low seating position. It all makes for a unique driving experience for sure, and it may just start to make you think that price point you were wondering about may not be that outrageous after all.
Official fuel consumption ratings from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) stand at 13.9L/100 km in the city, 9.8L/100 km on the highway and 12.0L/100 km combined. Not particularly efficient, to be sure, but not outrageous either. Our week ended with a combined total of 13.8L/100 km.
2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S – Pricing in Canada
The 2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S carries a base starting MSRP of $192,500 CAD. With Porsche's extensive options catalog, prices can rise rapidly - our extensively optioned test model came in at $226,680 CAD.
Both the basic vehicle warranty and powertrain warranty cover 4 years or 80,000 km, accompanied by standard 4-year roadside assistance.
2026 Porsche 911 Targa 4S – Competitors in Canada
- - Chevrolet Corvette Z06 cabriolet
- - Lexus LC 500 cabriolet
- - Mercedes-AMG SL 55/SL 63
