Hello everyone. This is Mina, the administrator of “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.” This project, Porsche Owners File, was born from readers’ requests to share the genuine voices of various Porsche owners. The ninth installment features a purchase, options, and driving review of the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo from “Brindle,” who lives in Yokohama. It made me realize once again, “It’s a Panamera, yet it seats five… what a wonderful car!” Please enjoy the read.

〘Owner Information〙
・Pen name: Brindle
・Residence: Yokohama
・Family: Just my wife and me
・Past cars:
【Main cars】
Honda Prelude XZ (5MT) → Audi 80 CC → Mazda Capella Coupe Limited Edition Amfani (5MT) → Audi 90 2.3E → Mercedes-Benz W124 Station Wagon 220TE → Mercedes-Benz W212 Station Wagon E350 4MATIC
【Second cars】
SLK230 → Audi TT 3.2 Quattro S-Line → Porsche 911 Turbo (991.2) … sold in June 2018
・A word to readers:
I’ve only owned a Porsche for a little over a year, so I can’t offer much advice, but I truly feel that even the Panamera, which leans heavily toward luxury sedan territory, still carries the blood of a sports car. I believe that no matter which Porsche model you buy, you’ll experience something uniquely different from other car manufacturers. If you get the chance, I highly recommend becoming a Porsche owner at least once.

1) How the Purchase Came About

– Fulfilling a Long-Held Dream: Buying a 911

For a car enthusiast like me, driving a Porsche was a long-standing dream and goal. So, ten years ago, I told my wife, “When I turn 60, I’m going to buy a Porsche (911).”

When the time came to buy a 911, I chose the top model without hesitation: the Turbo. In September 2017, my dream came true when a Jet Black Metallic 911 Turbo arrived at our home. I chose the Turbo because I wanted to complete my car selection by starting with Porsche’s top model. (I had always idealized owning both a Mercedes-Benz 4WD station wagon and the latest 911.)

– Impressions of the 911 Turbo

So why did I switch to the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo? Actually, I sold the 911 Turbo just nine months after delivery, with only 5,500 km on the odometer. It was the most expensive car I’d ever bought, but also the shortest I ever owned.

The Porsche 911 is a car everyone admires. The 911 Turbo, as the top grade, could be considered a final dream car. But the delivered 911 Turbo wasn’t the car I was looking for. (When considering the purchase, the dealer didn’t have a test drive model of the latest 911 Turbo, so I bought it without test driving.)

I still believe it’s the ultimate “everyday sports car”. However, the stiff ride that shakes you on rough roads, the cabin noise, and the acceleration on public roads that wasn’t as thrilling as expected… CG TV’s editor-in-chief Watanabe once said in a test drive report of the new 991 Turbo in South Africa:

“It’s unbeatable on the circuit but feels rather sluggish in city traffic.”

That was exactly my impression. I often felt the Mercedes wagon was faster. Sure, pressing the accelerator deeply delivers sharp acceleration, but driving like that on Japanese roads would quickly cost you your license.

Also, while the rear view of the 911 is very attractive, the Turbo’s wide body seemed to throw off its balance a bit, which was a little disappointing. Due to various reasons, I used the car less and less, and the 911 Turbo just sat in the underground mechanical parking of our condo, barely even looked at. I drove it maybe once a week, if that.

During this time, the idea that it’s better to have just one car grew stronger every day.

– How I Decided to Buy the Panamera

Since I was already in the seventh year of owning the Mercedes-Benz 350E 4MATIC wagon, I decided that if I was going to have just one car, this was the best time to replace it with a new one.

My must-have conditions were “four doors and four-wheel drive (for skiing trips),” and “height under 1.55m and weight under 2 tons (due to parking restrictions).” The final choice was the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo.

After owning the super sports car 911 Turbo with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.0 seconds, I had come to think that high-output engines are unnecessary and wasteful on Japanese roads. But I still wanted Porsche’s sportiness and brand appeal, so after searching for a Porsche that met all conditions, the base grade Panamera 4 Sport Turismo caught my eye.

Having learned from past experience, I test drove this time. I drove both the Panamera Turbo and the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo. The Turbo felt somewhat heavy, similar to the 911 Turbo. In contrast, the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo felt very light and nimble, and I realized “this is more than enough,” confirming I made the right choice.

2) Options / Specifications

Body Color	Carrara White Metallic	¥0
Interior Color & Seats	Leather Interior / Leather Seats Black Memory Function Electric Seats (Front)	¥646,000 ¥272,000
Exterior	No Model Logo Panoramic Roof System Heat-Insulating Privacy Glass Door Handles (High Gloss Black) Exterior Mirrors (High Gloss Black) SKY Real Glass Coat	¥0 ¥0 ¥342,000 ¥44,000 ¥82,000 ¥128,000
Transmission / Chassis	Rear Axle Steering (including Power Steering Plus) Sport Chrono Package Sport Exhaust System (Black High Gloss Tailpipes)	¥325,000 ¥339,000 ¥614,000
Lights	LED Matrix Headlights (including PDLS Plus) Tinted LED Taillights	¥366,000 ¥125,000
Comfort / Assistance Systems	Comfort Access Lane Change Assist Park Assist with Surround View Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist	¥199,000 ¥150,000 ¥134,000 ¥504,000
Interior	Seat Heaters (Front and Rear) Storage Package Floor Mats Cup Holder Cover (Front) Heated Steering Wheel	¥89,000 ¥0 ¥33,000 ¥0 ¥49,000
Audio	BOSE Sound System	¥258,000
Wheels	Porsche Crest Wheel Center Caps	¥30,000
Options Total		¥4,729,000

(*Options/specifications are as of purchase time)

Additionally, I bought a set of 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin studless tires for winter use from December to March for skiing trips. This brought the total extra order cost to over 5 million yen.

3) Delivery Process

Ordered in June 2018, delivered in November that year.

4) Porsche Performance Impressions After Ownership

① Engine

The V6 2995cc turbo engine offers more than enough performance for Japanese roads. I drove on the Hakone Turnpike and mountain roads in Karuizawa with no complaints.

With the sport exhaust installed, selecting sport mode fills the cabin with a deep, satisfying exhaust note. While a more powerful engine might be needed for circuit driving, this car’s performance is fully satisfying for everyday driving in city, highway, or mountain settings. Compared to the previous 970 Panamera’s V6, the new 971 V6 produces a strong 450 Nm of torque from as low as 1340 rpm, so this is expected.

The 0-100 km/h time is 5.3 seconds with the Sport Chrono package, so unless you’re drag racing in the city (laughs), there’s no reason to be dissatisfied. Also, a smaller engine means less environmental impact, which gives a sense of responsibility in not wasting performance.

When I owned the 911 Turbo, I felt I was only using about 10% of its performance daily, which seemed wasteful. It was like using a giant crane instead of chopsticks to eat rice. I felt sorry for the car.

On the other hand, the Panamera 4’s engine impresses with good fuel economy, lower taxes, eco-friendliness, and a very smart overall impression.

② PDK Evaluation

The first time I drove the car after delivery, I felt some jerkiness at low speeds from the PDK transmission, but as I drove, the PDK seemed to learn and became smoother, and by the next day, it was completely problem-free.

When driving calmly, the engine rpm stays low, and on flat highways, if you ease off the accelerator, the car coasts smoothly and quietly as if gliding.

③ Handling

The Panamera is classified alongside the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8 as a flagship sedan, but its handling precision, agility, and stability feel completely different from other brands. (Though I haven’t driven all of them side by side…)

Thanks in part to the rear axle steering, body roll is minimal, and cornering speeds are noticeably faster than any car I’ve driven before. Even on winding mountain roads, the car’s size doesn’t feel cumbersome; it feels like driving a smaller car. This is the moment I most strongly feel, “Ah, I’m really driving a Porsche — it’s a true sports car feeling.”

④ Fuel Economy

In city driving, fuel economy is about 6–7 km/l, but on trips mixing highways, mountains, and city roads, it’s usually around 12–13 km/l. Compared to my previous Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC’s 8–9 km/l, I’m satisfied.

⑤ Ride Comfort and Feel

I kept the standard 19-inch wheels because I prioritized ride comfort over appearance.

Much of a car’s ride comfort depends on the tires. The Panamera comes standard with wide tires: 265/45ZR19 front and 295/40ZR19 rear, and the optional 20- and 21-inch wheels come with even wider tires. While fine on smooth roads, wider tires tend to reduce comfort on rough surfaces.

Having experienced the harsh ride of 20-inch wheels on the 911 Turbo on rough roads, and having long enjoyed the gentle and comfortable “Mercedes ride” of my old wagon, I had no hesitation about the Panamera’s tire choice.

Also, for such a high-end car, I believe the manufacturer’s recommended standard tire setup best brings out the car’s true performance. When test driving the Panamera Turbo with 21-inch wheels, I felt some roughness at low speeds in the city. But the 20-inch Panamera 4 Sport Turismo I drove later was much smoother.

So I figured the 19-inch wheels must be even more comfortable.

Indeed, the Panamera’s ride comfort is excellent. Possibly helped by soundproof glass, it’s very quiet inside. While not quite the “Mercedes ride,” it offers a suitably sporty yet composed suspension that never feels floaty, and I’m very satisfied.

Previously on this blog, I wrote that Porsche’s steering doesn’t use Ackermann geometry, so on cold winter days at very low speeds, you feel a gritty sensation when turning the wheel — a hallmark of sports cars.

But I personally want my car to always move smoothly, so the gritty feeling I experienced driving the 911 in winter was unpleasant and unacceptable.

That said, I’d heard AMG cars have similar sensations, and I read online that the previous 970 Panamera did too, so it was my only concern. However, since switching to studless tires in early December last year, I’ve had no such discomfort.

I’ve heard that switching to softer studless tires removes the gritty feeling, but I’d love to hear from others whether the 971 Panamera still shows this gritty feeling on summer tires when starting in cold winter temperatures. (For the blog admin’s 971 Panamera, the gritty feeling is felt almost every morning.)

⑥ Family Reaction

Very positive. Recently, when our daughter rode in the back seat during a visit home, she said it was the most comfortable car she’s ever ridden in. My wife also drives it; at first, she was hesitant about such a large car, but now she really likes it.

⑦ Favorite Points

Basically everything (laughs). Styling, comfort, driving feel, the satisfaction of owning a Porsche — all of it. Above all, it’s moderately sporty, and if I had to pick one favorite point, it would be that “it’s fun to drive.”

5) Options I’d Like to Add

Regarding this Panamera purchase, I’d like to add soft-close doors. At first, I thought they were unnecessary, but the Panamera’s surprisingly high airtightness sometimes causes the doors to be half-closed. I asked the dealer if they could be retrofitted, but unfortunately, they don’t offer it.

6) Concerns

– Car Size

The size is a concern, especially the width of 1937 mm, which requires care on narrow roads and parking. (The 911 Turbo was 1910 mm wide but had a compact length, so it wasn’t as much of an issue.)

However, thanks to the latest driver assistance systems, parking is surprisingly easy — easier than with the Mercedes wagon. This is due to the “rear axle steering” and “park assist with surround view.” I consider these two must-have options. (For such an expensive car, I believe these basic systems should be standard.)

– Trunk Capacity

The cargo space isn’t very large. It holds 520 liters, but due to the rear hatch’s slope, two large suitcases won’t fit. When carrying four passengers, folding the rear seats isn’t an option, which is inconvenient. The E-Class wagon’s cargo space is clearly superior.

Also, the rear seat is officially for three, but realistically only two adults can fit comfortably. The middle seat is more for emergencies. (Still, legally being able to seat five is important.)

7) Overall Evaluation

I’ve driven many cars, but the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo is the best among them. Driving it feels great, and I even think, “I want to keep driving forever.”

I’m glad I experienced the 911 Turbo first. Had I started with the Panamera, I might have thought, “The 911 must be even more amazing,” and wouldn’t have been this satisfied.

The 911 and Panamera are completely different genres. The 911 is the ultimate real sports car you can use daily. The Panamera Sport Turismo is a luxury shooting brake with Porsche’s sports feel. And that’s exactly the car I truly wanted.

8) What Porsche Means to You

To me, Porsche was “a dream.”

Most car lovers probably think, “I want to drive a Porsche at least once.” But now I realize that even at this age, it’s a precious presence that teaches me the joy of driving again.

[Blog Admin’s Thoughts]
Brindle’s report resonated deeply with me as a Panamera fan, and reading it made me very happy. Also, as someone who usually drives a Panamera Turbo, I sometimes feel sorry that I never get to fully unleash the 4-liter V8 engine’s potential. This report reminded me that the normal Panamera can fully express its performance and be just as enjoyable. Thank you very much, Brindle!