Hello everyone. This is Mina, the manager of “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.” Born from readers’ requests to “share the real voices of various Porsche owners,” the “Porsche Owners File” series continues. For the 14th installment, we have a purchase, options, and driving review of a 2012 Panamera S Hybrid from “Kazukun.”

〘Owner Information〙
・Featured car: 2012 Panamera S Hybrid
・Pen name: Kazukun
・Residence: Hyogo Prefecture
・Family: Wife (occasionally drives the Panamera, usually Wagon R), son (22 years old, owns a Cadillac Escalade), daughter (no license)
・Previous cars:
Toyota MA-70 Supra → Toyota Corolla Levin AE86 GTV → Cadillac STS → Chevrolet Suburban → Chevrolet C3500 dually → Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD → Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
・Message to readers:
With the Taycan EV coming out, I think “Porsche hybrids are definitely worth considering.” It might still be an unpopular grade, but it’s a very well-made car.

1) Purchase Background

From American Cars to German Cars

I originally drove American cars but had to give them up due to various reasons, and lived without a car for a while.

(Early C3500)

(C3500 with color change)

(When purchasing 3500HD)

While thinking, “What should I get next… After American cars, I want my favorite German car…” I noticed that Benz, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen were everywhere near my home (laughs).

Seeing that, I truly realized how popular Mercedes and Audi are. But I had one particular “preference”:

“I want to avoid situations where the same model lines up with me at traffic lights.”

So, with a casual thought of “Maybe I should get a Porsche next??” I consciously observed my neighborhood for several months… and eventually decided to buy a Porsche.

Cayenne or Panamera?

Since it was “primarily for daily use,” I excluded 2-door models and also ruled out the Macan due to body size. Personally, I like large-displacement engines, so the final candidates were the Cayenne and Panamera, and I test drove both extensively.

Among them, I preferred the torque delivery and ride feel of the supercharged engine over the turbocharged one, so I narrowed it down to the “S Hybrid” grade.

Between the Cayenne and Panamera, after repeated test drives, the Cayenne Hybrid felt a bit sluggish. On the other hand, the Panamera Hybrid felt more nimble(probably due to body size and weight), so I decided on the Panamera S Hybrid.

Fortunately, I have many acquaintances in the car industry, and after reaching out, I found an “immaculate, closest to my ideal, left-hand drive dealer car,” which I purchased.

2) Options / Specifications

I searched for a car with “Sport Chrono,” and the must-haves that you can’t add later like “sunroof” and “left-hand drive.” I wanted seat ventilation too, but since there are good aftermarket options now, it was just a “nice to have” if included.

After about six months of searching, I got info from a longtime acquaintance in Tokyo’s car industry and bought the car without even seeing it (laughs).

Options known so far

Sunroof, Sport Chrono, sport steering wheel, RS Spyder 20-inch wheels, seat heaters, colored wheel caps. Not sure if standard: privacy glass, Clarion genuine navigation, side steps, wood interior panels, ashtray, and Panamera S-branded scuff plates.

3) Delivery Process

Rather than ordering, it was more like “let me know if a good one comes up,” so it took about six months.

4) Porsche Performance Impressions After Ownership

① Engine

【Satisfying points】
The supercharger is very pleasant. It probably pairs well with the V6 engine. Unlike a turbo, the throttle response is direct and suits my personality.

Also, it’s so quiet that sometimes I realize I’m going at ○○○ km/h without noticing (laughs).

【Unsatisfying points】
When the hood is closed, it’s not noticeable, but when open, it seems to have more mechanical noise than American or Japanese cars? Despite being a V engine, the revving feels smooth.

② Transmission

Because it’s a parallel hybrid, power isn’t compromised, and the engine cuts off during highway driving, so fuel economy is excellent. (16 km/L between Tokyo and Osaka) There’s no odd shock when switching between motor and engine, and you barely notice it unless you watch the tachometer.

③ Handling / Brakes

The brakes are classic Porsche—very effective. I’d say “there’s nothing to complain about,” but the brake dust is a downside. The steering feel is that of a sports car sedan, with a sharpness you don’t find in Japanese or American cars, which I quite like.

④ Fuel Economy

Having driven only about 2,000 km so far, I get 14–16 km/L on highways and never below 10 km/L in city driving.

⑤ Ride Comfort and Feel

I think it has “active air suspension,” and the PASM comfort mode ride quality is good. However, I’ve heard of air suspension failures, so I’m a bit concerned about that.

Also, for a sports sedan, the relatively high ride height looks a bit uncool…

In Sport Plus mode, driving on mountain roads feels just right and fun.

Unlike a conventional engine car, the hybrid’s initial acceleration prioritizes the motor, so there’s a slight perceptible lag (about 0.5 seconds) when pressing the accelerator. I wonder if you get used to it.

You don’t feel the “weight of the motor” unique to hybrids. On the contrary, for a midsize sedan, this performance is more than enough.

Considering that Lexus GS-F claims to be a sports sedan but has a luxury-tuned performance, I think “the Panamera represents a new category not found in Japanese cars.”

⑥ Family Reactions

My kids said, “Oh, it’s a Porsche!” but since I had four American cars before, they joked, “That doesn’t suit you” (laughs). My wife said the “front passenger seat is comfortable” during trips between Osaka and Tokyo.

⑦ Favorite Points

All of it (laughs).

5) Must-Have Options for Future Porsche Purchases

Hmm… Matrix LED headlights and PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes) definitely catch my eye.

6) Concerns

I’m a bit self-conscious about the attention it draws (laughs). Also, getting in and out feels a little cramped… but I guess you get used to it.

7) Overall Impression

Porsche used to be considered a supercar. But after owning the Panamera S Hybrid, I feel that Porsche is “in a good way” outside the modern definition of supercars.

Porsche is a “supercar you can use for everyday driving.” That’s what sets it apart from other modern supercars.

Still, Porsche’s spirit and seriousness are evident in its supercar-level performance, and it’s wonderful how these technologies feed back into production cars.

8) What Does Porsche Mean to You?

To me, Porsche is a lover? A girlfriend? (laughs)

Of course, I cherish my wife first (laughs), but even with her, Porsche is someone I want to treasure. I’m sure my Panamera’s gender is female.

〘Blog Manager’s Thoughts〙
I used to wonder, “What about Porsche hybrids?” but reading the Porsche Owners File reviews and comments from everyone, it’s clear they are wonderfully made cars. It’s definitely a model I want to try! Thank you very much, Kazukun!