What is it: The Porsche Panamera is a large luxury/GT car with unique styling that is, let’s say, growing on people. It's certainly a huge improvement from the last-generation Panamera. The 4 is the all-wheel-drive variant of the base car, below the 4S, GTS, Turbo and all hybrid versions.
Key Competitors: Audi A7, BMW 640xi Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4Matic
Base Price: $90,650 As-Tested Price: $105,190
Full review: Porsche Panamera GTS first drive
Highlights: You know you’re in a good place when the base engine makes 330 hp, which Porsche's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 does between 5,400 and 6,400 rpm. Torque is a very similar 331 lb-ft at 1,340-4,900 rpm. Every model above the base Panamera is all-wheel drive, and 4S and up models make well over 400 hp. Regardless of power output, it travels through an eight-speed PDK (dual-clutch) transmission. The Panamera 4 here manages 21 mpg city fuel economy, 27 highway and 23 combined.
Opinion: The Porsche Panamera looks best at night. No, I don’t mean that to be snarky. As you walk up to the car and unlock it with the key fob, the LED headlights cast off a brilliant white light, ambient light glows underneath the side mirrors and the taillights illuminate in such a way to complement the horizontal light bar that spans the width in back, just beneath the spoiler. It all together looks serious, maybe just a touch menacing. You feel a sense of arrival, a smidgen of specialness, even, before you start your drive. I like that.
It looks darn decent during the day too. The Panamera styling is a touch overwrought for my tastes, which edges it away from full-stop beautiful, but overall the shape is elegant and an appropriate nod to the brand’s sports-car roots. Inside, it's stylish and modern, with a large 12.3-inch center console touchscreen grabbing the eyes; the whole space looks clean and well put together, like a house featured in Dwell magazine.
That’s true of every Panamera, which makes horsepower about the only reason to choose a model above the 4. And, yes, more power is great. But as a car to use every day, 330 hp is plenty. The V6 comes with a snarly exhaust tune and energetically revs to its 6,500 max engine speed, yet remains muted and in the background on the interstate. Furthermore, all the switchgear is intuitive and easy to reach, visibility is panoramic and the seats are both supportive and comfortable. The Panamera is simply a nice place to be. And it ought to be with this six-figure price tag.
When the going gets twisty, the Panamera 4 keeps up fine. Options on our tester included rear-axle steering and adaptive air suspension, not to mention 20-inch wheels to help that along. But more importantly, the Panamera gives good steering feedback and the chassis always feels well controlled. This is not a track car, but that worries me none.
Per usual, this Porsche came with a healthy portion of options. One, however, was noticeably absent: A $1,250 check box called "Thermally and Noise Insulated Glass" makes Porsche install a thicker-than-standard and UV-protected windshield and side windows. The glass thickness makes a noticeable difference in road and wind noise on the expressway. With it, the Panamera is one of the quietest interiors on the road; without, noise levels creep toward average, which is below average at this price point.
