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Overview

If you've ever seen the pitiful rear seats in a Porsche 911, it's clear that four-person transportation was never in that model's mission plan. Luckily, Porsche offers a family-friendly alternative in the Panamera. While its lozenge-shaped, four-door silhouette might not scream performance in the same way as Porsche's iconic sports car, the Panamera's underlying platform is capable of delivering potent thrills.

Four high-output powertrain options, consisting of a 348-hp, turbocharged V-6, a 463-hp plug-in hybrid V-6, a 536 plug-in hybrid V-6, and a 493-hp twin-turbo V-8, lock in the Panamera’s position as a serious driver’s car. Beyond just the ample propulsion they provide, Porsche has found a way to imbue the Panamera with the same type of corner-carving prowess that the brand built its reputation on. The super sedan's steering is sharp, its brakes are mighty, and its chassis is effortlessly lithe. All of this while offering five comfortable seats and enough space in the trunk for seven carry-on suitcases.

Expert Tip: If you're looking for even more performance, the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid/Turbo S E-Hybrid offer rocket-ship acceleration. We review them separately.

What's New for 2027?

After some infotainment fiddling last year and the introduction of the E-Hybrid and GTS trims the year before that, we think that Porsche will take a breather from updating the Panamera for 2027.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

• Engines: 348-hp 2.9-liter V-6; 2.0-liter V-6 and one electric motor, 463 or 536 hp combined; 493-hp 4.0-liter V-8
• Transmission: eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
• Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

Under the hood of the Panamera and Panamera 4 is a turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 with 348 horsepower. Both come with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; the 4 has all-wheel drive, and the base model is rear-wheel drive. The plug-in E-Hybrid models have the same turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 under their hoods but add electric motors to boost combined horsepower to 463 in the 4 E-Hybrid and 536 in the 4S E-Hybrid.

The racy, nonhybrid GTS trim comes with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine that makes 493 horsepower. All Panamera GTS models benefit from a unique suspension tune with stiffer anti-roll bars and a ride height that's 0.4 inches lower than the other trims. All Panameras are fitted with an adaptive air-spring suspension system; a rear-wheel steering feature is optional. The E-Hybrid models can be had with an active suspension system that leverages the car's 400-volt electrical architecture to control a hydraulic pump at each damper to help minimize body movements as the car traverses bumps.

Most of the Panamera models deliver a ride that’s smooth in its softest comfort mode but noticeably firmer than most other large luxury sedans when you dial up the Sport and Sport Plus driving modes—and we appreciate that. Our drive of the GTS, however, revealed impressive handling but at the cost of stiff, choppy ride quality. Compared to less-sporting luxury sedans, the Panamera isn’t deadly quiet, but it’s not raucous either. What it always is, no matter the model, is big bags of fun to drive.

0–60-MPH Times

• C/D 60-mph Test: 4.4 seconds (Base), 3.6 seconds (4 E-Hybrid), 3.2 seconds (4S E-Hybrid), 3.1 seconds (GTS)

In Comparison: In our testing, the base RWD Panamera got to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. We estimate the Panamera 4 is capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The GTS model roared to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds in our testing. The 4 E-Hybrid isn't quite as quick as the GTS, reaching 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, but the 4S E-Hybrid gets very close, hurling itself to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds in our testing. We'll report back once we've had the chance to test the rest of the Panamera lineup.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

• C/D Range Test: 48 miles (4S E-Hybrid)
• EPA EV Range: 28-29 miles

The 4 E-Hybrid and 4S E-Hybrid both come with a 22-kWh battery pack and an 11.0-kW onboard AC charger. Porsche estimates that the battery can be recharged in about two and a half hours on an AC connection, and the car can also use its V-6 to recharge the battery up to 80 percent when cruising at speeds above 34 mph. During our 75-mph highway range test, a Panamera 4S E-Hybrid blew its sub-30-mile EPA figure out of the water, managing an impressive 48 miles on e-motivation alone with its battery fully charged.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

• C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 32 mpg (Base), 28 mpg (4S E-Hybrid)
• EPA City Ratings: 16-21 mpg
• EPA Highway Ratings: 24-25 mpg

The EPA estimates for the base Panamera's fuel economy are 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The GTS model is rated for 16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined; the Panamera E-Hybrid models are rated as high as 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

A Panamera with the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 and rear-wheel drive notched a 32-mpg result on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route; a Panamera 4S E-Hybrid lagged behind a bit, earning 28 mpg. We'll update this story with the results from other models as they become available. For more information about the Panamera's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: Leather upholstery is standard, with even fancier hides available to wrap the seats, doors, dashboard, and steering wheel should you want to splurge. The front seats are power-adjustable and come with a comfort- or sport-oriented design with elements intended to hold you tighter during spirited driving.

Second Row: The cabin of the Panamera can be set up to seat four or five, with either rear bucket seats or a bench. Adults should find the rear seat comfortable for long drives so long as there aren't three of them scrunched back there.

Cargo Capacity: The Panamera's large trunk provides plenty of space for luggage or a week's worth of groceries. In our testing, we were able to fit seven carry-on suitcases in the Panamera's trunk with the rear seats in their upright position. With the seats folded, we fit 19.

Infotainment and Connectivity

• Infotainment: 10.9-inch touchscreen
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Audio System: 10-speaker audio system (standard), 14-speaker Bose audio system (optional), 21-speaker Burmester audio system

A 12.6-inch curved digital gauge cluster looks cool behind the steering wheel and complements a 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen in the center of the dashboard. The central screen is snappier than before thanks to some behind-the-scenes hardware changes, and third-party software can now be downloaded from a new app center.

A second 10.9-inch display is optional for the passenger's side of the dashboard and provides access to more entertainment features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board, as are an Amazon Alexa voice assistant and a wireless smartphone charging pad. A 14-speaker Bose stereo is available, or you can select a stereo tuned by Burmester with 21 speakers — both systems now come with Dolby Atmos surround sound to create a more immersive listening experience.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Basic driver-assists such as automated emergency braking are standard on the Panamera, but if you want more advanced tech, such as adaptive cruise control with lane centering, you'll have to pay extra.

• Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Optional Safety Features: adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature

For information about the Panamera's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

At four years or 50,000 miles, Porsche's limited and powertrain warranties are competitive in this class, and its 24-hour roadside assistance program spans the same amount of time. Porsche also includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for a short period, but BMW's program is considerably longer.

• Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
• Hybrid Component Warranty: eight years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary Maintenance: one year or 10,000 miles

C/D Test Results and Specs

Each year, we put hundreds of vehicles through our rigorous instrumented testing regimen. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that's because this vehicle hasn't changed since we last tested it, and the test results remain accurate.

More Features and Specs

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