Before Buying a Panamera

Originally, I started this blog because I absolutely love the Panamera. Nowadays, I also write about other Porsche models, but when I first started, I was writing about the Panamera every single day, without fail, haha.

Recently, I’ve been getting more comments on my past Panamera articles, and many readers have said things like, “I didn’t know that about the Panamera! I’m glad I found out beforehand.” So, I decided to put together a summary of

things you might want to know before buying a (971) Panamera.

1. The Panamera Is Big

I’m sure everyone already knows that “the Panamera is big,” so I probably don’t need to say it… (-_-) But just to confirm the size of the standard Panamera:

Height: 1,425 mm, Width: 1,935 mm, Length: 5,050 mm

With these dimensions, parking issues inevitably come with the Panamera.

In suburban parking lots, spaces tend to be wider, so it’s usually not a problem. But in city parking lots or parking garages, spaces are often tight. So even if you could park your previous car without trouble, you might find that you can’t park your Panamera (technically you can, but the risk of scratching or bumping is high).

Also, some shortcuts you used to take might no longer be practical (you can drive them, but passing oncoming cars is risky), so it’s good to keep that in mind.

2. Keyless Entry Is Not Standard

The Panamera is often compared to luxury sedans like the Mercedes S-Class. Naturally, you might think “Keyless entry (the option name changed from Comfort Access to Porsche Entry & Drive System?) comes standard, right?” But that’s not the case, haha.

Porsche is a sports car maker, and the Panamera is more of a sports car than a luxury sedan. (I realized this after recently comparing it to the Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe.) That might be why keyless entry is currently only available as an option. By the way, the Panamera Turbo comes with it as standard.

This might change in the future, but according to information from the Porsche Owners File, at least as of October 2018 delivery, the Panamera 4S did not come with keyless entry as standard.

3. Apparently, You Can Choose a 4+1 Seating Option?

Last October, the Panamera GTS was announced. This model offers an option for “4+1 seating,” meaning the rear seat can accommodate three people. Until now, when considering a Panamera purchase,

people often thought, “The Panamera only seats four… If I want five seats, I should get the Sport Turismo… But then the Cayenne is more spacious… But that’s an SUV… Maybe I should just go for an S-Class or 7 Series…”

So it’s a relief not to have to worry about that anymore.

Later, a commenter on this blog mentioned that “as of November 2018 order, the Panamera could be ordered with 4+1 seating,” so maybe this option is now available on the regular Panamera as well?

It’s best to check with your dealer before buying to be sure.

Additional note on 4+1 seating (2019.3.14) — a helpful tip from a reader:

Regarding the 4+1 seating option: as of November 2019, the option cost ¥137,000 (tax included). When applied to the base Panamera, an interesting detail emerged! Unlike the Sport Turismo, which has electric switches inside the rear trunk to fold the rear seats on both sides, the 4+1 seating option does not have these switches. Normally, these switches are located just above the luggage net and in front of the trunk light. So, not all rear seat features are the same as the Sport Turismo… While having the switches would be convenient, manual operation might actually be safer if you have items on the rear seats! (Tommy)

4. Rear Axle Steering Is a Must-Have

I’ve written many times on this blog that “rear axle steering is an essential option for the Panamera!” And for a giant like the Panamera, this option really is indispensable.

When taking sharp corners, making U-turns, parking, or driving winding roads, having this option makes a huge difference. (Our previous 970 Panamera Edition didn’t have rear axle steering, and the difference was obvious.)

Many Panamera owners I know, as well as readers of this blog, say “choosing rear axle steering was definitely the right call!” For example, a previous Porsche Owners File report said:

Thanks to the long-wheelbase effect of the rear axle steering, you can take large curves at high speed as if driving straight. When making U-turns, you can feel the short-wheelbase effect of the rear axle steering. Where you used to have to swing wide across the lane, you can now turn more tightly without strain.

5. How to Move the Passenger Seat from the Driver’s Seat

Regarding the “feature that lets you adjust the passenger seat from the driver’s seat on the Panamera Turbo,” this function is not supported on the standard seats of the Panamera, Panamera 4, Panamera 4S, Panamera 4 Executive, or Panamera 4S Executive. You need to choose the “14-way power seats with memory function (front seats) option.”

By the way, if you select this “14-way power seats with memory function (front seats) option,” the steering column also becomes power-adjustable, enhancing the easy-entry function. (With standard seats, the steering wheel doesn’t move with the easy-entry function.)

6. Panamera 4E-Hybrid Uses J1772 Connector

According to a report from the Porsche Owners File, the “971 Panamera 4E-Hybrid delivered in January 2018” uses the J1772 connector. There are mainly two types of connectors for PHVs and EVs:

・CHAdeMO
・SAE J1772 (sometimes noted as IEC62196)

But the Panamera 4E-Hybrid only supports the J1772 connector. So even if you find a free charging port nearby, if the connector type is different, you won’t be able to charge.

7. Panamera’s V6 Engines

The Panamera’s V6 engines come in two types: 3.0L (2995cc) and 2.9L (2894cc). The 3.0L engine used in the standard and 4 models is believed to be made by Audi (designed by Porsche, manufactured by Audi). (Reference articles: Inside Porsche’s new V8 and V6 powertrains, Audi A8 55 TFSI Quattro (4WD/8AT) Test Drive)

However, my husband recently spoke with a service representative at our local Porsche Center, who mentioned in passing that “all current Panamera engines are now Porsche-made.” So it’s possible that all models now use Porsche engines.

Ask Your Dealer

Since model specifications and options can change, and sometimes even Porsche Center staff might not know every detail (it’s tough to keep up with all the latest info!), it’s best to do your own research and ask questions before purchasing.

Buying a Panamera is a big investment, and you want to avoid the “Oh, that’s how it was! Darn it!” moments after the purchase. There are still many details about options to cover, so I plan to add more notes as I think of them.