Imagine spending $160,000 on a luxury electric vehicle, only to find that a tiny detail—one that seems almost trivial—leaves you questioning the entire design philosophy. That’s exactly what happened to TikTok creator May (@maylin.dud), who recently went viral after pointing out a seemingly insignificant flaw in her Porsche Taycan 4S: the vanity mirror. But here’s where it gets controversial—she bluntly declared, ‘Designed by a man; why is the mirror so small?’ This sparked a heated debate that goes far beyond the size of a mirror, touching on gendered design choices, luxury expectations, and the value we place on high-end vehicles. Let’s dive in.
The Porsche Taycan 4S is no ordinary car. Hailed as one of the most refined electric performance vehicles on the market, it’s celebrated for its razor-sharp steering, composed handling, and driving dynamics that rival traditional sports cars. Its sleek, low-slung exterior screams Porsche, blending speed, luxury, and everyday usability into a six-figure package. And this is the part most people miss—while the car is undeniably impressive, it’s the small details that can either elevate or detract from the overall experience.
In her TikTok video, which has amassed over 3.7 million views, May pans over the Taycan’s sleek interior before zeroing in on the sun visor. She flips it down to reveal the vanity mirror—a tiny, minimalist design that feels almost like an afterthought. The text overlay reads, ‘$160,000 car btw,’ and the implication is clear: for this price, shouldn’t every detail be perfect? The mirror, measuring just 3.9 by 1.6 inches, pales in comparison to the larger, more practical mirrors found in mainstream sedans like the Toyota Camry, which typically range from 6.5 to 7 inches wide and 4 to 5 inches tall. Is this a case of form over function, or a deliberate design choice that misses the mark for certain drivers?
The Taycan’s design is the brainchild of Porsche’s longtime chief designer, Michael Mauer, who has shaped much of the brand’s modern aesthetic. While the minimalist mirror aligns with Porsche’s clean, pared-back interior philosophy, it raises questions about inclusivity in design. Are luxury vehicles like the Taycan primarily designed with one demographic in mind, and if so, who gets left out? May’s critique isn’t just about the mirror—it’s a broader commentary on how design choices can feel exclusionary, particularly for women who rely on features like vanity mirrors more frequently.
The comments on her video were equally divided. Some viewers focused on the car’s price, questioning whether a $160,000 vehicle truly delivers on its promise of luxury. ‘That interior doesn’t look anywhere near 160k nice,’ one person remarked. Others defended Porsche’s priorities, arguing, ‘It’s a Porsche, not a makeup desk.’ A few owners even shared workarounds, like installing full-size mirrors on their side of the car. But the bigger question remains: should buyers have to resort to DIY solutions in a vehicle that costs as much as a house?
This debate isn’t just about the Taycan—it’s about the expectations we place on luxury brands and the assumptions baked into their designs. While Porsche’s minimalist approach has its fans, it also highlights a disconnect between what designers prioritize and what buyers actually need. Is it fair to criticize a luxury car for not catering to every possible use case, or should brands like Porsche strive for greater inclusivity in their designs?
We’ve reached out to Porsche and May for comment and will update this article with any responses. In the meantime, we want to hear from you. Do you think May’s critique is valid, or is she overreacting? And more importantly, what does this say about the future of luxury car design? Let us know in the comments below. Your voice matters—let’s start the conversation.
— The Motor1.com Team
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