Comparing the Panamera on a Test Drive

I came across an interesting article in GQ Japan:
How to Choose a Porsche Panamera: The Latest Turbo Sport Turismo vs. the Standard Panamera [Part 1]

As more people consider buying a Panamera, I can imagine them wondering, “Should I get the Panamera or the Sport Turismo?” But this article compares the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo with the standard Panamera, so isn’t it really just a comparison of the Panamera Turbo and the standard Panamera? Either way, I was curious to see how an automotive journalist would weigh them up, so I gave it a read.

There Are 16 Panamera Models!

The first thing that surprised me was the claim that there are as many as 16 Panamera models.

Were there really that many (-_-)?!

Not that I doubted it, but I checked the Porsche Japan website to see if there really were 16.

1) Panamera Models
① Panamera　② Panamera 4　③ Panamera 4 Executive　④ Panamera 4 Sport Turismo　⑤ Panamera 4S　⑥ Panamera 4S Executive　⑦ Panamera 4S Sport Turismo
2) Panamera E-Hybrid Models
⑧ Panamera 4 E-Hybrid　⑨ Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive　⑩ Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo　⑪ Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid　⑫ Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive　⑬ Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
3) Panamera Turbo Models
⑭ Panamera Turbo　⑮ Panamera Turbo Executive　⑯ Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo

…Yep, there really are 16 ( ﾟдﾟ )!!

So the arrival of the Sport Turismo added five models to the lineup.

The Driver’s Seat and Rear Seats

Now for the main event. The article compares the standard Panamera, the most basic model (starting at ¥11.62 million), with the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo, one of the more expensive models (starting at ¥24.533 million).

Here’s what the article had to say about the Panamera:

Although it serves as a sedan within the lineup, Porsche describes the Panamera as a highly practical sports car. Sit in the driver’s seat, and you’ll find it sits unusually low for a sedan.

Interesting!

When my family was considering buying a 970 Panamera, we also test-drove a BMW 7 Series. But back then, I’d only ever been in a Panamera once, during my test drive, and I wasn’t all that interested in cars—so I didn’t notice how low the seat was or how different it felt. Reading this article brought home the point that the Panamera is, at heart, a sports car.

The article had this to say about the rear seats, too:

The rear seats are individual bucket-style seats. They don’t offer the spacious, lounge-like feel of a conventional large sedan, but the supportive seats make you feel securely planted in a distinctly sporty way. There’s still plenty of room for both legs and head.

That’s exactly right. The Panamera’s rear seats are separate and sporty in design, but that doesn’t mean you “can’t relax at all”—they’re comfortable even on long drives. My husband is 178 cm tall, a little above average for a Japanese man, and he says he still has more than enough room to sit comfortably.

How Do They Compare on the Road?

So, what about the part we’re all curious about: how they drive?

・The standard model feels more than powerful enough.
・Put your foot down in almost any situation, and it delivers just about all the acceleration you could want, without any noticeable turbo lag.
・The engine note isn’t especially thrilling, but it’s pleasant to listen to.
・Even in Normal, Sport, or Sport Plus mode, the ride never hits you with a harsh, choppy jolt.
・It lives up to its reputation as a highly practical sports car, with sporty handling through corners.
・It feels more nimble through bends than its size would suggest, with precise steering and plenty of grip.
・You can carry a brisk pace through winding roads without having to push yourself or the car too hard.
…In short, my honest impression is that the standard Panamera is already very good.

Exactly! Automotive journalists really are pros. I can only describe it in gut-feel terms like, “It’s just incredible! The Panamera is seriously amazing!” So I really admire how accurately they can put the experience into words.

The Article Continues in Part Two

The article is split into two parts, with the second focusing mainly on the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. How to Choose a Porsche Panamera: The Latest Turbo Sport Turismo vs. the Standard Panamera [Part 2]

The Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that delivers 0–100 km/h acceleration in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 304 km/h, despite weighing more than two tonnes. This Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo also comes with optional rear-axle steering.

・Push the throttle down hard, and it sends a huge surge of torque to all four wheels, building speed in no time.
・This car is fitted with the optional Sport Exhaust System, so give it some throttle and it makes a pretty thunderous noise.
・Use your right foot sensibly, though, and it’ll take things nice and easy in traffic.

The article also makes this point:

“It handles winding roads without a problem, but it’s hard to enjoy the same light-footed feel as the standard Panamera.”

That makes sense. Our Panamera Turbo might feel much the same. When I test-drove the standard Panamera, it felt light and nimble as soon as it got moving. But I realized I prefer the more substantial feel of our previous Panamera Edition. The article also says:

“Its high-speed cruising stability is incredible—which is precisely why it can be hard to stick to the legal speed limit. (Laughs)”

I know what they mean (￣ー￣)… A little pressure on the accelerator, and before you know it, you’re going too fast to write about on a blog.

So, Which One Is Better?

The article wraps up with this:

If you care about the pecking order when Panameras pass each other on the street, choosing the Turbo Sport Turismo should give you the upper hand in most cases—unless you encounter one of the hybrid models. But if that sort of status game doesn’t interest you, I’d recommend the standard Panamera.

A pecking order when Panameras pass each other (laughs)… Though in reality, it’s often hard to tell which version you’re looking at in a quick glance.

My husband and I agree that if we had to choose between the Panamera and the Sport Turismo, we’d go for the Panamera without hesitation—and it comes down to the design. We prefer the current Panamera’s rear, with its flowing lines reminiscent of the 911, over a more hatchback-like look. Of course, that’s a matter of personal taste.

My Brother-in-Law Is Getting a Panamera Sport Turismo

And here’s a surprise: my husband’s younger brother apparently bought a Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo last week. Well, he’s gone and done something big! It’s due to be delivered in mid-June, so I’m hoping he’ll at least let me ride in the back. I’d love to write about how the Panamera Turbo and Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo feel different from the passenger seat…

For now, I’ll be looking forward to its June delivery.