A Porsche with a Comfortable Ride and Great Driving Performance

The other day, I received this question on my blog.

My current car is a late-model 991 GT3, but I’m a bit tired of the intense sports driving. Also, my family often complains that the ride in the GT3 is too stiff, so I’m looking for a sporty Porsche that’s comfortable enough for daily use and long trips. Ideally, something like the 968 I used to own—allowing some body roll, soft suspension, yet still fast through corners. I’ve heard the 718 with PASM offers a comfortable ride, but I’d love advice including the perspective from the passenger seat.

That’s the question.

The GT3 is truly an amazing car, and you can use it daily if you want, but its stiff suspension transmits every bump directly, so it can be quite tough for passengers.

On the highway, the ride changes dramatically at low speeds to a very flat, smooth, almost glued-to-the-road feel, but you can’t drive at high speed all the time.

Regarding the question, if it were me, considering the comfort of passengers and family, I’d recommend the Panamera.

Compared to luxury sedans from other brands, the Panamera’s ride is on the firmer side, but among Porsches, it’s quite smooth. Hardly anyone would complain about the ride quality when sitting in the Panamera’s front passenger or rear seats.

In fact, it might even change the common perception that Porsches have a “bad ride” into a very positive impression. (That said, if you want ultra-luxurious interiors and comfort features, the S-Class is definitely better.)

What’s great about the Panamera is that it offers spacious, comfortable seating for the family while still letting the driver enjoy sporty driving.

It never sacrifices driving performance for comfort, and you might even think, “This isn’t just a sports sedan—it’s basically a full-fledged sports car.”

Even the base model offers excellent stability and acceleration on the highway, and lane changes feel effortless with a glued-to-the-road grip.

Yet when you take it on winding roads like the Royu Driveway, despite its large size, it feels like the car has shrunk, delivering incredible agility.

In terms of balancing “comfort” and “performance,” the Panamera is the best Porsche I’ve ever driven.

The 981 or Early 991 Are Also Great Choices

By the way, when I asked my husband about the initial question, he said this:

If you currently drive a GT3 and are looking for a two-seater or sporty model, I’d recommend the 981 or early 991. The suspension is supple and the ride isn’t too stiff, which is really nice. The passenger seat is also quite comfortable. You can drive comfortably nearby without worry, and the supple suspension makes cornering on mountain roads feel rhythmic and very enjoyable. The 718 with PASM does have a comfortable ride, but compared to the 981, it’s still a bit firmer. If the passenger is used to a firmer ride, it’s fine, but otherwise, they might find it too stiff. So considering all that, I think the 981 or early 991 would be best.

If you’re chasing driving performance, the suspension inevitably gets stiffer, so a slightly older Porsche might be more comfortable for passengers to enjoy the drive.

Of course, this depends greatly on personal preference, so it’s best to go test drive together and discuss. Sharing the process of choosing a car with your family—debating this and that—can really enrich your future car life.