Test-Driving the New Panamera

I test-drove the new Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo a while back. I wrote about the experience on the blog, but the Turbo’s acceleration and high-speed stability were so extraordinary that I was completely intimidated—and ended up writing a test-drive review that probably didn’t make much sense…

→Test-driving the new Panamera Turbo—and feeling utterly outclassed.

To make matters worse, that post became the most-read article on the blog and started climbing the search rankings, so I decided it was high time to revisit the test drive. I’m not a motoring journalist or an automotive expert, and I can’t offer a technical breakdown of the chassis, suspension, or torque. So, as a Porsche fan rather than a professional, I’d like to share my own impressions of the cars.

Does the New Panamera Raise the Bar?

I test-drove the new Panamera in February and March that year: the Panamera 4S in February and the Panamera Turbo in March. At the time, automotive media and motoring journalists were saying that “the new Panamera has far exceeded our expectations.” But our 970 Panamera Edition already had more than enough performance for us, so I wasn’t sure just how much better the new model could really be.

Then I drove the Panamera 4S, and within two seconds of pulling away, I knew: “This has completely surpassed the previous model.” More than an upgrade, though, the new Panamera and the previous Panamera felt like completely different cars. It didn’t feel so much like the Panamera had evolved as if “someone had taken a 911 and simply made it bigger.”

Three Key Differences Between the Previous and New Panamera

First, here are my impressions of the differences between the previous Panamera and the new one. I was comparing a Panamera Edition with a Panamera 4S—not the base Panamera—so this isn’t a direct comparison with the standard model. Still, three differences stood out to me.

① Smooth, Easy Pull-Away

The new Panamera pulls away lightly and smoothly. A gentle press of the accelerator is all it takes to set it gliding forward, almost as if it were on rails. There’s none of that heavy, “heave-ho” feeling you might expect from such a large car. And yet, it still feels firmly planted on the road. It grips the pavement confidently and delivers a comfortable ride that’s neither too firm nor too soft. Maybe that’s thanks to the air suspension. My test drive was mostly around town, with plenty of stops at traffic lights, but pulling away never felt like a strain, despite the car’s size.

② It Doesn’t Feel Like a Big Car

This may be related to how smoothly it pulls away, but the new Panamera simply doesn’t feel as large as it is. In reality, it’s 1,900 mm wide and more than five meters long, yet you’d hardly know it. I almost found myself wondering, “Has the new Panamera shrunk a size?” I never felt nervous about driving such a large car, and it was surprisingly easy to handle.

③ A Refined, High-Pitched Engine Note

The engine sounded wonderful. As I pressed the accelerator, a refined, high-pitched note came from behind, making it feel as though the engine were right at the rear of the car. Even drivers who aren’t keen on loud engines might find this level of sound perfectly agreeable. (I wonder if the car had sound-insulating glass…)

Those were my impressions of the new Panamera 4S. I didn’t get to open it up on the highway or carve through a mountain pass, so I’m sure I experienced only a small part of what it can do.

With that in mind, my overall impression was that “people who love the 911 are likely to love this car.” Personally, though, I found it a little too restrained. The 4S struck me as a model that does everything right, and I found myself wishing it had a touch more rawness.

Three Key Differences Between the New 4S and Turbo

After that, I test-drove the new Panamera Turbo. Here are three major differences I noticed between the new Panamera 4S and the new Panamera Turbo. I was surprised by how different the two felt, even though they were both Panameras. So, when it comes to the new Panamera Turbo:

① It Still Feels Big—in a Good Way

I’m someone who enjoys the feeling of driving a substantial car. Of course, I want it to take corners smoothly, and I don’t like awkward body sway caused by excessive weight—but with the Panamera, those aren’t things I need to worry about. The new Panamera Turbo pulls away far more lightly than our Panamera Edition, but compared with the 4S, I felt it retained more of that big-car character.

② A Refined, Deep V8 Growl

Unlike the 4S’s higher-pitched note, the Turbo has a deep, layered rumble. I love the “vroom!” when you start the engine—it has a real “all right, let’s hit the road!” feel to it. I’d been looking forward to hearing it when I started the car, but the engine was already a little warm, so it sounded more restrained than I’d expected. I imagine it would have been quite a sound with a cold engine. When accelerating, you get that unmistakable V8 note, too. I love Porsche engines because they don’t just make a lot of noise—they sound refined.

③ Two Sides to Enjoy

It’s a Turbo, after all, so it has more power and stronger acceleration than the 4S. Its Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7 minutes 38 seconds made headlines in Germany. Motoring journalist Goro Okazaki described its acceleration as “like a ferocious beast pouncing on its prey,” and that’s exactly how it feels when you accelerate on the highway.

At the same time, around town and while cruising on the highway, the Turbo can be luxurious and composed. Graceful in the city, ferocious on the highway, and responsive through mountain-road corners: its ability to deliver the right kind of drive for every situation is one of the Turbo’s greatest strengths.

Panamera 4S or Turbo: Which Should You Buy?

So, in summary, if you want a car that’s easy and fun to drive, I’d recommend the 4S. It’s also the clear choice if most of your driving is around town, rather than on mountain roads or highways. But if you want more than an everyday luxury car—if you’re looking to enjoy winding roads, value acceleration and stability at high speeds, and want a car that’s rewarding in a variety of driving situations, I’d go for the Turbo.(Though perhaps not many people are looking for quite that combination.)

And since our family values both driving enjoyment and everyday comfort, we chose the Panamera Turbo.