2020 Porsche Panamera Review

　　

2020 Porsche Panamera Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The legendary Porsche 911 remains one of the best sports cars ever built. But what do you do if you need to transport more than one passenger? Enter the 2020 Porsche Panamera, a front-engine sport luxury sedan with the spirit of the 911.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Porsche Panamera 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$209/mo  for Panamera Base

　　Panamera Base

　　4 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $91,800 MSRP4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) (Most Popular) - $87,200 MSRP4 Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $98,000 MSRP4 Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $98,500 MSRP10 Years Edition 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $103,300 MSRP4 E-Hybrid 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $103,800 MSRP4S 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $105,000 MSRP4 10 Years Edition 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $107,500 MSRP4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $107,800 MSRP4 E-Hybrid Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $108,300 MSRP4S Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $111,200 MSRP4S Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8AM) - $116,300 MSRP4 E-Hybrid 10 Years Edition 4dr Sedan AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $116,900 MSRPGTS 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $129,300 MSRPGTS Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $135,500 MSRPTurbo 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $153,000 MSRPTurbo Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $157,000 MSRPTurbo Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8AM) - $163,400 MSRPTurbo S E-Hybrid 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $187,700 MSRPTurbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo 4dr Wagon AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $191,700 MSRPTurbo S E-Hybrid Executive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8AM) - $198,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　The Panamera lineup is extraordinarily deep, with three body styles and seven trim levels to choose from. Prices also have a wide range, with a top-level Turbo S E-Hybrid costing twice as much as a base Panamera. Performance between these models understandably increases with price too. No matter which model you have an eye on, rest assured that you'll be getting one of the best luxury sedans with the kind of sporty performance that justifies the Porsche badge.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the Panamera drive? No car this big and heavy has any business performing on this level. It's mind-boggling how capable the Panamera 4S — the Panamera we tested — is on a winding road. Anyone who claims it's not a "real" Porsche clearly hasn't driven one. And this is just a single step up from the base model in a very deep lineup.

　　The Panamera 4S is among the quickest in its class, reaching 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds. Power is breathtaking, and the shifts are so smooth they're almost imperceptible. Engaging launch control will fulfill your adolescent racer dreams, and the V6 sounds great too. Handling is precise in all situations, and you quickly forget that it's a 4,400-pound luxury sedan. It feels much lighter and smaller.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Panamera? There are some concessions made in exchange for the Panamera's performance, but they can easily be ignored given its capability. The climate control interface is fussier than it needs to be, and suspension tuning is on the stiff side. But these trade-offs don't come remotely close to being deal-breakers.

　　Whether you're short or tall, the range of seat adjustments will accommodate you. The padding is thin, but the front seats are so well shaped that all-day comfort is guaranteed. The Panamera 4S doesn't ride quite as smoothly as its less athletic rivals, but it is still exceptionally comfortable. Wind noise on the highway is absent, and the engine is well muffled when you're cruising.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Panamera's controls aren't easy to use and can be a source of driver distraction. Otherwise, the cabin is as luxurious, modern and refined as that of any of its contemporaries. This generation Panamera forgoes the glut of traditional buttons of its predecessor, but using their replacement — capacitive touch buttons — can take the driver's attention away from the road. The gear selector also takes some getting used to.

　　Even though you get a sporty, wraparound feeling from the cockpit, the Panamera is still very spacious. The rear seats will accommodate 6-footers, but we suggest getting the long-wheelbase version if you're going to frequently have adults in the back seat.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Panamera's infotainment system isn't as easy to use as rival systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard thankfully, and you can use either as an alternative to Porsche's system. The touchscreen is responsive and quick, but the steering wheel button that's supposedly customizable for multiple functions did not work all that well in our testing. We also experienced occasional Apple CarPlay crashes and non-operation.

　　The Panamera's advanced driver safety features are well tuned. In our testing they didn't produce any false alarms. The traffic-adaptive cruise control's braking and accelerating were also smooth.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Panamera is technically a hatchback, but it doesn't reap as big an advantage as is usually associated with that body style. With 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, room in the Panamera is generous on paper. In practice, the trunk is shallow and the high liftover height is an impediment. The lack of remote seatback releases also deducts points.

　　The Sport Turismo's cargo space is only marginally bigger, but its lower liftover height and upright hatch allow easier loading of bulky items. The door pockets, bins and glovebox are all on the small side, leaving you limited options for your personal effects.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates fuel economy for the 4S at 21 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway), which is comparable to figures from other, albeit far less sporty, luxury sedans. On our mixed-driving evaluation route, we achieved 26.4 mpg with our 4S test car, but it was a difficult exercise in restraint.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Panamera a good value? The Porsche Panamera 4S delivers an unusual amount of performance for the money. While we wouldn't consider it a bargain, it certainly piques our interest. Interior materials are befitting a car of this class and price, and there's sturdy construction underneath.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　The Panamera 4S is one of the few cars that have come our way that have astounded us in a number of ways. Whether or not performance is your thing, drivers of any stripe will appreciate its sure-footedness and authoritative acceleration. This is one of the better cars at any price.

　　With the latest redesign, the Panamera is no longer the ugly duckling that we'd forgive because it drives so well. It now has the looks to complement its performance. It's sleek, sporty, modern, refined, and truly the complete package.

　　

Which Panamera does zzdcar recommend?

The 2020 Porsche Panamera has a deep lineup, making it difficult to choose the right one to suit your personal preferences. For most drivers, the Panamera 4S gets our recommendation. It has plenty of power to entertain even seasoned sports car drivers and the added assurance of all-wheel drive.

　　

2020 Porsche Panamera models

The 2020 Porsche Panamera is offered in three body styles. The regular Panamera has a long, tapered rear cargo hatch, while the Sport Turismo comes with a more upright rear hatch like a station wagon. The Executive sticks with the standard Panamera hatch but grows in length between the front and rear axles (commonly referred to as the long wheelbase) to provide more space to rear passengers.

　　Several trim levels are available, but not in every body style: the base Panamera, Panamera 4, Panamera 4S, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Panamera GTS, Panamera Turbo and Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. These models distinguish themselves with different engines and features. For 2020, a new 10 Years Edition commemorates a decade of Panamera production.

　　Base Panamera

　　Standard feature highlights include:

　　A 330-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 Porsche Active Suspension Management (adaptive suspension or PASM), which allows you to choose a softer, more comfortable suspension setting or a stiffer setting for more sporty handling A panoramic sunroof A power hatchback liftgate A wide-view 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system including a navigation system Panamera 4

　　Has the above but with all-wheel drive

　　Panamera 4S

　　Keeps the all-wheel-drive powertrain and adds:

　　A 440-hp turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid

　　A plug-in hybrid variant that comes with:

　　The 2.9-liter engine along with an electric motor and a 14.1-kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined 462 hp About 30 miles of all-electric driving range on a full charge An air suspension that can automatically alter the Panamera's ride height Panamera GTS

　　Ups the performance quotient and includes:

　　A 453-hp 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 The Sport Chrono package that adds performance-enhancing features An air suspension with a lower ride height Unique sporty styling touches Adaptive 18-way power seats with faux suede trim Panamera Turbo

　　More performance and features, such as:

　　A 550-hp turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 Simulated-suede interior trim inserts Full leather upholstery Heated rear seats Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid

　　A combination of the Turbo and E-Hybrid that provides:

　　Hybrid components and turbo V8 for a combined output of 677 hp Ceramic-composite brakes for ultimate stopping power The Sport Chrono package A second air-conditioning system to cool the car while it's parked Panamera 10 Years Edition

　　A version of the base Panamera, Panamera 4 and E-Hybrid with:

　　Unique white gold metallic badging inside and out A few extra features that would otherwise be optionalThe Panamera is also available with a wide range of additional technology, safety and customization-oriented features.

　　

2020 Panamera Highlights

Type: SedanWagonPlug-in HybridSedan

　　Trim: Base44 Executive10 Years Edition4 E-Hybrid4S4 10 Years Edition4 E-Hybrid Executive4S Executive4 E-Hybrid 10 Years EditionGTSTurboTurbo ExecutiveTurbo S E-HybridTurbo S E-Hybrid ExecutiveBase

　　

Base MSRP	$87,200
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$209/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles