2023 Porsche Panamera Review: Family-Sized But Fun

The Porsche Panamera range is broad, with loads of options for those who are seeking a sports car that's a little out of the ordinary. Buyers in the USA can choose from the standard four-seater with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 325 horsepower or sportier 'S'-monikered models that use a higher-output version of the power plant to make 443 hp. There's a 473-hp GTS model with a V8 topping the range for those who believe Porsches should be seen and heard. But don't be fooled into thinking this is a family sedan; sure, there are four seats in total, but space in the back is still a little restricted and the Porsche Panamera's competitors like the Audi RS7 and BMW M5 may be more practical if you want to carry passengers comfortably. But the Porsche excels at what it was designed for - driving pleasure. There's grip for days (all-wheel drive variants specifically) and incredible handling that makes it a real pleasure to drive.

What's the Price of the 2023 Porsche Panamera?

The price of the Porsche Panamera begins at $92,400 for the entry-level model, increasing to $97,000 for the Panamera 4. The larger and more luxurious Panamera 4 Executive costs $103,700, while the Platinum Edition will set you back $105,100. Panamera 4 Platinum Editions are priced even higher at $109,300, while the 4S goes for $110,900 and $122,200 in 4S Executive guise.

All hybrid models have six-figure price tags. The base 4 E-Hybrid costs $109,000 ($113,500 for the Executive), and 4 E-Hybrid Platinum Editions cost $118,800. $119,200 is the starting cost for the 4S E-Hybrid, while the 4S E-Hybrid Executive has an MSRP braking the $130k mark at $130,500.

The Panamera will cost $135,200 in GTS guise but this model isn't available as an Executive. All these prices exclude tax, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $1,450 in the US.

2023 Porsche Panamera Handling and Driving Impressions

Panamera models represent the best of borth worlds when it comes to handling and driving: it's comfortable enough to use daily, but give it a reason to get excited and it'll perform just as well. The models with adaptive air suspension are a particular joy to drive, smoothing over any road surfaces that are likely to upset the apple cart, and staying flat if you're going through corners at speed.

Steering feel is decent and there's enough feedback to engage with the car; it's not a track weapon, but there's enough power in the GTS, especially, to get a bit of a thrill and a slight adrenalin rush when you floor it. Selecting the right driving mode will be essential to getting the most out of the experience.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Porsche Panamera A Good Car?

Trying to determine the 'goodness' of a car with a Porsche logo on it feels a little sacrilegious, and in this case, it's a better test to see whether the Panamera serves its dual purposes effectively. As a sports car, it ticks most boxes: it's gorgeous to look at (although some may disagree, we love its curves), it's got status behind its brand, it offers potent power, rear-wheel-drive thrills or all-wheel-drive grip, is a hoot to drive, and it has a price tag to match its sports-car status. As a big sedan, it's less than perfect: it seats four in a 2+2 configuration with little room to spare in the back - unless you spend more for the Executive trims - and rivals have more cargo space; J.D. Power's reliability review for the Porsche Panamera is less than stellar at 74 out of 100. While we don't believe the Porsche Panamera is an uncontested winner, it's right up there with the best in the segment, so we wouldn't blame you for wanting one.

What 2023 Porsche Panamera Model Should I Buy?

The GTS might seem like the go-to model, but its $135k price is silly compared to the likes of the BMW M5 Competition and Audi RS7. And while we like the idea of the 4S E-Hybrid and its 552-hp output, it's just too heavy. The fuel consumption isn't that much better once the battery is depleted, which happens fairly quickly.

We think the best model is the 4S. The high-output V6 produces 443 hp and 405 lb-ft, which is extremely close to the GTS's power output of 473 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. Add the Sport Chrono Package to the 4S, and it will get to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds; the GTS gets there in 3.7 seconds, a difference that is hard to notice. Still, the V8 is more vocal, but a 4S with the Sport Chrono Package costs $20,000 less than the GTS.

Perhaps the main question to ask is: How much do you really need that Porsche badge? If you're open to other brands, even the Panamera 4S isn't the best buy in this segment.