A Golf Is Always Our Car for Visiting My Parents

I had work in Tokyo toward the end of last week, so I took my daughters to my parents’ house and asked them to help with childcare. Whenever I visit, I always drive our Volkswagen Golf 7. My parents still tell me:

“You were a new driver for years and even bumped into things in supermarket parking lots. Now you’re driving a big Porsche home on the highway, and we can’t help worrying. Please, just don’t come in the Porsche.”

That’s why.

The Panamera Is Simply Superb

So, after returning home from my parents’ place, I took the Panamera to work the other day for the first time in a while, and…

Goodness… what an incredible car…

I was impressed all over again.

I often hear Porsche owners say, “A Porsche thrills you every single day, even if you drive it every day.” But I think getting back behind the wheel after a break makes the experience even more special. The Volkswagen Golf 7 is a wonderful car, too. Every time I drive it, I think, “What a great car,” and I have no complaints. Still, whenever I get into the Panamera, I’m moved to the point that I can’t help letting out a sigh of admiration.

What Makes the Panamera So Special

There’s so much I could say that I might never finish writing it all down, but here are the main things that stand out:

① The Steering Wheel

A Porsche steering wheel feels solid, and although it’s a little thicker than what you’d find in an ordinary car, it fits comfortably in my hands. The steering wheel is also positioned more upright rather than tilted back, which makes me want to grip it firmly and think, “All right—let’s get out there and drive!”

② A Solid, Substantial Feel

The Panamera is a large car weighing more than two tonnes, so of course it feels substantial. But there’s absolutely no sense of heaviness when pulling away or accelerating. (I think the standard Panamera feels even more nimble than the Turbo.) It has a reassuringly solid feel, yet accelerates smoothly and is a pleasure to drive. I love that balance.

③ Throttle Response

After getting used to the Panamera’s accelerator, I sometimes find myself thinking in other cars, “Wait, is there really this much slack in the accelerator?” “I’m pressing it, but the car’s barely moving!” or “Now I’ve pressed too hard, and it’s surged forward!”

The Panamera never feels like that. It feels as though the car responds as one with the driver. It’s almost as if the accelerator reacts the moment you think, “Let’s accelerate”—(though, obviously, you do have to press it)—and press firmly, and it delivers astonishing acceleration. The response feels completely natural. This must be what it means to feel at one with the car.

④ The Brakes

There’s no slack in the brakes, either. Press lightly and they respond accordingly; press deeper, and the car stays planted as the brakes bite firmly. There’s no lurching—just a reassuring, controlled stop. When I drove a McLaren once, the brake pedal was so heavy (I’m not exaggerating—it felt like a gym machine) that I couldn’t press it quickly in a sudden situation. I remember thinking, “This would be difficult for a woman to drive.” The Panamera’s brakes aren’t overly heavy. It’s remarkable how confidently and steadily they bring a car weighing more than two tonnes to a stop.

⑤ No Cutting In or Tailgating

The other day, I drove into Osaka for work. When I usually take the Golf on the Hanshin Expressway or around the city, other drivers often cut in or tailgate. The tricky lane changes on the Hanshin Expressway may make that hard to avoid sometimes, but… when I’m in the Panamera, nobody cuts in or tailgates me at all. (Laughs.) The result is a calmer, safer drive.

⑥ Firm Yet Luxurious Ride Quality

If you love the ride of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or another full-size luxury sedan, you might find the Panamera’s ride firm and feel that it isn’t especially comfortable. There’s no floaty softness to it. When the car crosses a bump at a concrete joint on the highway, it doesn’t waft over it; instead, the suspension stays composed and absorbs as much of the impact as possible. (I’m not sure I’ve described that very well…)

Personally, I’m not a fan of a soft, floaty ride—it reminds me of being on a bus. That’s why I like the Panamera’s firm yet luxurious ride.

Even Porsche Professionals Sing the Panamera’s Praises

I recently had a chance to speak with someone who works with Porsche, and they had this to say:

“Even after comparing a range of Porsches, I think the Panamera is a truly wonderful car. I happened to be driving on the highway today and found myself overtaking a VIP vehicle ahead. The car felt so good to drive that I had to remind myself not to get carried away…”

The Panamera really is a wonderful car. The new Panamera seems to be off to a strong start, and I hope more and more people discover just how special it is.