Porsche Panamera - TopCarNews

Porsche Panamera (2017 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Porsche Panamera first appeared in 2009 as a large four-seater saloon that had borrowed as many 911 design cues as possible. it looked rather ungainly but proved very popular, leading to a second-generation model in 2017.

The Panamera is now available in petrol variants ranging from 330 to 630hp and plug-in hybrid versions from 462 to 700hp, and with rear or all-wheel-drive. The seond generation also saw the launch of the ‘Sport Turismo’, whch is Porsche-speak for estate. The diesel versions were dropped a few years ago.

A substantial update in 2020 brought noticeable differences. Drivers of Panameras will feel and see the difference – testers generally agree that the car’s looks, always divisive, have been greatly improved in the latest version. “Despite still being a big car, its styling is far more cohesive,” says Carbuyer. “You’d now buy one because of its looks, not in spite of them.”

According to Top Gear the latest version is “no smaller physically, but it feels smaller to drive, plus rides better and handles more nimbly – it’s a thorough sort out.”

Auto Express adds that GTS version of the car is “more capable than ever, more engaging to travel in and just better to drive,” though the review also dubs the Panamera “a sports car pretending to be a limousine.”

Drawbacks? The more desirable plug-in hybrid versions are expensive, and while efficient, the electric hardware cuts boot space by around 20%. And there are still those who fail to see the point of the Panamera.

Despite this, Company Car Today describes the hybrid Panamera as “about as sensible as Porsches get – the most affordable of the three plug-in hybrid models is rapid and nimble, but also efficient (if regularly plugged in) and practical.”

As of September 2021, the Porsche Panamera holds an Expert Rating of 69% from 37 reviews. We haven’t published ratings data for many petrol-engines sports saloons yet, but the Panemera’s score is significantly down on Porsche’s fully-electric saloon, the Taycan (88%).

Panamera highlights

Handles well
Efficient but potent hybrid models
Comfortable to travel in
Plenty of rear seat space
Latest looks better than old model

Panamera lowlights

Hybrids have big price tags
Hybrids have smaller boots
Looks still divide opinion

Key specifications

Body style: Lare saloon and estatePowertrain: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £70,750 on-road

Launched: Winter 2016/17Last updated: Autumn 2020
Update due: TBA

Image gallery

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Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

Porsche Panamera

Porsche Panamera GTS

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Panamera GTSScore: 9 / 10“A subtle but strong range of revisions to the Porsche Panamera GTS have made it more capable than ever, more engaging to travel in and just better to drive, full stop. It’s expensive, but the combination of pace, space and grace it provides is as hard to find fault with as it is easy to appreciate.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Panamera Mk2 is a massive step on compared to its predecessor. It uses a new platform and features new engines, while the interior takes Porsche’s luxury cars to the next level. It also looks a lot more attractive, with sleeker lines and some interesting, eye-catching design details.”
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Model reviewed: Turbo SScore: 8 / 10“Beautifully finished, dynamically accomplished and astonishingly rapid, the Porsche Panamera Turbo S feels worthy of its hefty price. But it also feels like it was created for fast autobahns, not crowded British B-roads.”
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Model reviewed: 2.9-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid automatic 4SScore: 8 / 10“The hybrid Porsche Panamera is genuinely capable of 30 miles on pure-electric power, but it’s also a car that can’t quite match the awe-inspiring charm of its stablemates. The 4S E-Hybrid is the smartest car in the new line-up, but we’re less convinced that it’s the best Panamera outright.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Liftback range“Mid-life updates to the Porsche Panamera unleash even more performance in the hybrid and new Turbo S model, paired with impressive style and luxury for a superlative driving experience.”
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Model reviewed: Sport Turismo rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Sport Turismo is a more practical and, arguably, a more elegant version of the Panamera. It comes with three rear seats, rather than the two that you get in the standard car, its rear doors are slightly bigger, and there’s a smidgen more rear headroom and a wee bit more boot space.”
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Model reviewed: Sport Turismo rangeScore: 8 / 10“You’ll pay handsomely for that Porsche badge, but you do get what you pay for, including a wonderfully appointed cabin and stellar performance, along with a sublime blend of comfort and an engaging drive.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 4S E-HybridScore: 8 / 10“Most popular Porsche Panamera is far more impressive, capable and rewarding to drive than the original, and genuinely economical.”
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Model reviewed: GTS Sport TurismoScore: 8 / 10“Probably not quite at its full potential as a simpler, sweeter-handling fast GT car, but nearer the mark than it was. A very fast, capable, usable all-rounder worth considering.”
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Model reviewed: Turbo S Sport TurismoScore: 9 / 10“Puts the Panamera back on equal terms with top-end rivals on paper. Goes and handles well enough to beat most of them on the road.”
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Model reviewed: GTSScore: 8 / 10“Ultimately, the most satisfying Panamera to drive isn’t as characterful as it once was. Neither is its delicacy so easy to appreciate.”
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Model reviewed: Sport Turismo rangeScore: 9 / 10“The Porsche Panamera gets the design appeal to match its dynamic and technical accomplishment; it’s not as practical as some fast estates but still outstanding.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 10 / 10“Our rating doesn’t mean we think it’s flawless, but Porsche has added such strength to this car, from cabin to chassis to engine and elsewhere, that it now stands apart from any sub-£100,000 GT on the market.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 2.9-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 4S E-HybridScore: 8 / 10“Accomplished, genuinely clever, very comfortable and still enjoyable, the Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid could prove to be just what many are looking for.”
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Model reviewed: Turbo S liftbackScore: 8 / 10“A fabulous long-distance cruiser, unstickable on a good road, luxurious or ferocious in equal measure – the Porsche Panamera Turbo S is a special car. As it should be, for its starting price.”
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Model reviewed: GTS saloonScore: 8 / 10“Compared to its rivals, the Porsche Panamera GTS loses the value-for-money equation; it spends more time at the pumps, and it is not a decontented lightweight special like the BMW M5, Mercedes E63 S and Jaguar Project 8 it’s up against. But that’s not really what the Panamera GTS is about.”
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Model reviewed: Turbo S E-HybridScore: 6 / 10“918 hardware shoved into a Panamera sounds like a stroke of genius, but the reality isn’t quite so wonderful. The underlying brilliance of the Panamera is still there but on balance the hybrid tech takes more away from the driving experience than it adds, other than improved numbers on the spec sheet.”
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Model reviewed: Sport Turismo rangeScore: 8 / 10“With a boost to usability, and looks depending on your point of view, you could argue the Sport Turismo is actually a better car than the regular Panamera. It’s definitely the best not-estate money can buy.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“If the price doesn’t put you off, the Porsche Panamera is a fast five-door hatchback that’s beautifully built and great to drive”
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Model reviewed: Sport Turismo rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is an estate version of the rapid executive car with more space and the option of a plug-in hybrid.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Panamera is hugely impressive to drive fast and has a lovely cabin, but it feels very wide on UK roads.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: PHEV“This is about as sensible as Porsches get. The most affordable level of the three Panamera PHEVs is rapid and nimble but also efficient (if regularly plugged in) and practical.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: Range overview“Given the choice I’d personally go for the hybrid as I felt it easier to live with day to day while having fun on high days and holidays. But that’s me. However, if you fancy the full-fat, no holds barred carnivorous flavour, the purists will plump for the beefier Turbo S.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 2.9-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid automatic 4S E-HybridScore: 6 / 10“For such a heavy car, the Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid handles well, which almost makes it shrink in size on a country road.
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Evo

Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“A fast, sophisticated and capable flagship that entertains when the road gets challenging, just choose your powertrain carefully.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Sport Turismo rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is a very talented all-rounder with lots of useful technology and huge performance, even from the hybrid versions. But the middle rear seat is an after-thought and the boot space is not huge.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8 / 10“It isn’t cheap, but the Porsche Panamera combines all the precise handling prowess of a sports car with the luxury, comfort and practicality of a high-end saloon. It isn’t quite as family-friendly as a Cayenne nor is it as luxurious as a limo like the Audi A8, but it’s much easier to live with than a 911.”
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Motors.co.uk

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 4 / 10“You’re unlikely to be disappointed with the quality or performance on offer – even on ‘entry-level’ models. Prices do rise significantly, though, as you go up through the line-up, with flagship Turbo S models costing an eye-watering £135,000, even before you consider any optional extras.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Sport Turismo rangeScore: 9 / 10“More space for Porsche’s luxurious performance GT”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 8.8 / 10“Porsche’s most luxurious model is still mighty fast”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: TurboScore: 6 / 10“Yes, it’s better-looking than its predecessor, but that’s like saying it’s better-looking than a gaping wound. It’s still a long, long way from being even remotely handsome or appealing.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid rangeScore: 3.5 / 10“Which Porsche Panamera PHEV one to have? The V6, while still a shocking price, is almost £60,000 cheaper than the V8, which gives it a pretty amazing start. I rather liked its tax-friendly, continent-busting demeanour, especially the way it bursts out of its sensible shoes if you drive it hard.”
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Model reviewed: 4 E-Hybrid Sport TurismoScore: 6 / 10“Appealing on paper, but not quite so convincing in the flesh, the hybrid Panamera estate doesn’t involve you as much as it should, and neither is it as comfortable as its best rivals. It’s a jack of all trades, certainly – but a master of none.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Porsche’s updated sports limo, the Panamera, has more ability and bandwidth than ever before. The best it’s ever been.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Panamera is well worth considering if you’re after a sharper-driving alternative to big luxury saloons and plug-in hybrids. It may not ride quite so fluently, but is very agile for such a big car, particularly if you opt for one of the V6-engined models.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Sport Turismo rangeScore: 7.6 / 10“If the regular Porsche Panamera hatchback appeals to you (or the hybrid), but you discounted it on the grounds of impracticality, the Sport Turismo estate goes some way to make amends. It’s expensive, yes, but few large cars are so involving to drive.”
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Model reviewed: HybridScore: 7.7 / 10“Porsche has successfully created the most dynamic and sporting luxury saloon that we’ve tested. It seamlessly blends the best of its sports cars into a more practical and opulent package.”
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Safety rating

No safety rating

The Porsche Panamera has not been subjected to a Euro NCAP crash test programme, which is not surprising given its price tag.

Eco rating

No eco rating

The Porsche Panamera has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming later in the year.

Given that the Panamera is a high-performance sports saloon that prioritises performance over economy, it’s unlikely to win any environmental awards.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Porsche Panamera has received

2021

What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best hybrid performance car

2020

What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best hybrid performance car

2019

Honest John Awards – Best Luxury Car

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Porsche Panamera, you might also be interested in these alternatives

The Panamera is a bit of a one-off and testers struggle to suggest proper rivals for it. In recent years, Mercedes-AMG has introduced its AMG GT 4-door, while Audi has the RS 7 Sportback and BMW has the M8 Gran Coupe – although these are all based on more humble saloon models in their respective families.

If you like the idea of an electrified performance saloon, you can also compare the Panamera with the fully electric Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S.

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