The Porsche Panamera is a sports car in a super-sized version. For those who want to drive a high-performance Porsche without sacrificing practicality, the Panamera ticks a lot of boxes.
It’s quick enough to be loads of fun to drive, and spacious enough to be a comfortable family-ferrying vehicle. In that regard, the Panamera is achieving the mission statement Porsche set it – a sporty model that has four doors instead of two. Yes; family motoring just got a lot more exciting!
Available in a range of different engines, including petrol and plug-in hybrid – the diesel engine in the range was discontinued in 2018 – the Porsche Panamera sits between the Taycan and the Cayenne, in terms of size. It’s nimble and agile to drive, and fast, of course – the base model Panamera roars out 330PS, with 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph.
All used Porsche Panamera models are fitted with the superb PDK eight-speed automatic transmission, so whichever version you choose, you’ll accelerate swiftly and smoothly. The Panamera, S, Hybrid, and Diesel models are all rear-wheel drive, while the Panamera 4, 4S, and GTS each have the same four-wheel system, as the Turbo and Turbo S.Inside, the build quality, design and functionality is of a really high standard. Driver and passenger comfort has clearly been prioritised by Porsche, with air suspension helping any journey feel like a gentle cruise, even on rougher road surfaces. The driver’s seat and steering wheel can be adjusted electronically to make sure positioning is perfect, and personalised.
The infotainment system can be operated via a touchscreen, which is high-resolution and easy to use. In newer models, that touchscreen is 12.3 inches in size, while on older versions that’s likely to be the smaller 7 inch design. On used Porsche Panameras from 2017 onwards, wireless Apple CarPlay is included, with Android Auto available too.