Porsche Panamera (971)

Porsche Panamera (971)

Model Years Produced: 2017 to Current

Summary

The Panamera is Porsche’s answer to “what if Porsche produced a luxury sedan?” It’s comfortable, beautifully-appointed, and yet surprisingly capable around corners with the sports car DNA of Porsche still clearly present inside. Of course, even without being rear-engined, it wouldn’t be a Porsche without a teardrop shape, which means that it also has quite a large trunk in both its standard liftback and its “Sport Turismo” layouts.

Porsche has far too many trim levels to select from and far too many options for each of those trim levels, so it’s easy to get lost in decision paralysis. On the other hand, it means you can get exactly what you want if you buy new, but if buying used, make sure you check the options list before trading money for the keys. “Platinum” variants are available for many of the Panamera’s trim levels which come pre-configured with a variety of options to help with some of the decision-making.

Model History

These are the trim levels available for each model year of the Panamera’s lifespan.

  • 2017: Base, 4, 4 E-Hybrid, 4S, Turbo
  • 2018: Base, 4, 4 E-Hybrid, 4S, Turbo, Turbo S E-Hybrid
  • 2019: Base, 4, 4 E-Hybrid, 4S, GTS, Turbo, Turbo S E-Hybrid
  • 2020: Base, 10 Years, 4, 4 10 Years, 4 E-Hybrid, 4 E-Hybrid 10 Years, 4S, GTS, Turbo, Turbo S E-Hybrid
  • 2021: Base, 4, 4 E-Hybrid, 4S, 4S E-Hybrid, GTS, Turbo S, Turbo S E-Hybrid
  • 2022: Base, Platinum, 4, 4 Platinum, 4 E-Hybrid, 4 E-Hybrid Platinum, 4S, 4S E-Hybrid, GTS, Turbo S, Turbo S E-Hybrid
  • 2023: Base, Platinum, 4, 4 Platinum, 4 E-Hybrid, 4 E-Hybrid Platinum, 4S, 4S E-Hybrid, GTS, Turbo S, Turbo S E-Hybrid
  • 2024: Base, Platinum, 4, 4 Platinum, 4 E-Hybrid, 4 E-Hybrid Platinum, 4S, 4S E-Hybrid, GTS, Turbo S, Turbo S E-Hybrid

Desirable Options

  • PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management): Adaptive shock absorbers which can vary their damping between soft/comfort and stiffer settings like “sport” and “sport plus.”
  • PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) Sport incl. PTV+ (Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus): Electronic roll stabilization with active front and rear anti-roll bars that increase both ride comfort and agility. Also includes an electronic rear limited-slip differential.
  • PSE (Porsche Sport Exhaust): Adds a bypass valve to the exhaust which can be enabled at the push of a button to make the exhaust louder. PSE should not be confused with Sport Tailpipes, which are merely an appearance item designed to change the look of the exhaust tailpipes without affecting sound or performance.
  • Sport Chrono: Includes analog timer/clock on the dashboard, performance mode on the steering wheel, launch control, a performance display, and a “Sport Plus” mode for the engine and transmission tuning.
  • Assistance Package: Includes adaptive cruise control with Porsche InnoDrive (which “regulates driving speed based on high-definition navigation data, radar, and video sensor technology”), heads-up display (HUD), surround view cameras, and LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).
  • Premium Package: Includes adaptive air suspension with PASM, Power Seats (14-way) with memory package, LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), blind spot monitoring, soft close doors, Ambient Lighting Plus, front and rear heated seats, front ventilated seats, and 4-zone climate control.
  • Sport Package: Includes Power Steering Plus (speed-sensitive power steering) with rear-axle steering, Sport Chrono, PSE, and adaptive air suspension with PASM.
  • Burmester Stereo: Very expensive upgraded stereo option ($7530 as of 2024) and one of the best car stereos you will ever hear.

Primary Criticisms

Major

  • Ultra-complex, not recommended to own out of warranty – especially the hybrid models

Minor

  • Options balloon the price into the stratosphere
  • Center controls are capacitive touch with a significant amount of piano black trim surrounding them

Warranty

Information is as of 2023 model year

New

  • Limited: 4 years/50,000 miles
  • Powertrain: 4 years/50,000 miles
  • Emissions: 8 years/80,000 miles
  • Corrosion (Perforation): 12 years/unlimited miles
  • Roadside Assistance: 4 years/50,000 miles
  • Accessories: 2 years/unlimited miles
  • Courtesy Transportation/Loaner: Yes

Certified Pre-Owned

  • Repair Deductible: $0 per visit
  • Limited: 2 years/unlimited miles extension to original warranty (or from CPO purchase date if original warranty has expired)
  • Roadside Assistance: Yes
  • Courtesy Transportation/Loaner: Yes

Porsche dealers are allowed to certify cars up to 13yrs/124k miles in age.

4 E-Hybrid

Porsche doesn’t just use its hybrid systems for fuel economy; it uses them for extra power too. While the base Panamera “only” makes 325hp, the 4 E-Hybrid pumps out 455 – more than even the 4S’ 443.

Reviews


Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Liftback, Wagon
  • Engine: VW EA839 / Porsche MDG.PA – 2.9L V6 twin-turbocharged PHEV
  • Horsepower: 455 hp
  • Torque: 516 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Porsche PDK 8-speed automated dual-clutch
  • Drivetrain: AWD w/ open differential, electronic limited-slip differential is optional
  • Fuel Economy: 50 comb / 52 city / 54 hwy
  • Used Price:

Liftback (Sedan)

  • Curb Weight: 4967 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 183.2 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 47.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $110450

Wagon (Sport Turismo)

  • Curb Weight: 5004 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 181.9 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 49.0 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $114450

4S

The Panamera 4S shares its engine with the Audi S7, although the tuning is slightly different to give it a more “Porsche” feel. Oddly enough, the Panamera actually weighs less than the S7, giving it a better power-to-weight ratio.

Reviews


Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Liftback, Wagon
  • Engine: VW EA839 / Porsche MCS.ZA – 2.9L V6 twin-turbocharged
  • Horsepower: 443 hp
  • Torque: 405 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Porsche PDK 8-speed automated dual-clutch
  • Drivetrain: AWD w/ open differential, electronic limited-slip differential is optional
  • Fuel Economy: 23 comb / 21 city / 28 hwy
  • Used Price:

Liftback (Sedan)

  • Curb Weight: 4336 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 204.3 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 47.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $112350

Wagon (Sport Turismo)

  • Curb Weight: 4403 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 201.2 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 49.0 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $118550

4S E-Hybrid

Continuing the trend of “using hybrid systems for performance,” the 4S E-Hybrid turns the output up to 552hp – more than the Panamera GTS and even 2hp more than the Panamera Turbo.

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Liftback, Wagon
  • Engine: VW EA839 / Porsche MDG.PA – 2.9L V6 twin-turbocharged PHEV
  • Horsepower: 552 hp
  • Torque: 553 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Porsche PDK 8-speed automated dual-clutch
  • Drivetrain: AWD w/ open differential, electronic limited-slip differential is optional
  • Fuel Economy: 49 comb / 50 city / 51 hwy
  • Used Price:

Liftback (Sedan)

  • Curb Weight: 5004 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 220.6 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 47.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $120650

Wagon (Sport Turismo)

  • Curb Weight: 5042 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 219.0 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 49.0 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $124650

GTS

The GTS is the most spicy of the non-Turbo line of Panameras…even if all of them have turbochargers in them. It produces 473hp from its 4.0L twin-turbo V8 and has sharper, stiffer suspension than the lower trim levels. It also comes standard with PASM and PSE.

Reviews


Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Liftback, Wagon
  • Engine: VW EA825 CXYA – 4.0L V8 twin-turbocharged
  • Horsepower: 473 hp
  • Torque: 457 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Porsche PDK 8-speed automated dual-clutch
  • Drivetrain: AWD w/ open differential, electronic limited-slip differential is optional
  • Fuel Economy: 17 comb / 15 city / 21 hwy
  • Used Price:

Liftback (Sedan)

  • Curb Weight: 4561 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 207.4 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 47.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $136650

Wagon (Sport Turismo)

  • Curb Weight: 4601 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 205.6 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 49.0 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $142850

Turbo

The Panamera Turbo was killed after the 2020 model year, but the memories made by its 550hp 4.0L twin-turbo V8 will live on in the minds of anyone lucky enough to drive or ride in it.

Reviews


Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Liftback, Wagon
  • Engine: VW EA825 CXYA / Porsche MCV.DA – 4.0L V8 twin-turbocharged
  • Horsepower: 550 hp
  • Torque: 567 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Porsche PDK 8-speed automated dual-clutch
  • Drivetrain: AWD w/ open differential, electronic limited-slip differential is optional
  • Fuel Economy: 21 comb / 18 city / 25 hwy
  • Used Price:

Liftback (Sedan)

  • Curb Weight: 4579 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 240.2 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 47.3 cu ft

Wagon (Sport Turismo)

  • Curb Weight: 4639 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 237.1 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 49.0 cu ft