2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo Review: Wagon Or Rocket Ship?

When Porsche first released the Panamera, there was mass pandemonium: A front-engined Porsche, in this day and age? Well, it has been over a decade since the Panamera has hit the scene, and it has since become a much-loved piece of the Porsche puzzle, so much so that Porsche was comfortable launching this version - the Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo. The Sport Turismo is basically a regular Panamera that has an extended roof. It's not your traditional wagon, but wagons are making a comeback, so we're sticking with it. The fact that the word 'Turbo' features here says a lot: this Porsche packs a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that develops 620 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque and will rocket this family-friendly machine to 60 mph in a mind-bending 2.9 seconds. An even more powerful hybrid version produces up to 690 hp. Competitors such as the Audi RS6 Avant are cheaper, but not as rapid. The 2022 Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo is far removed from what Porsche usually does, but it's still a thoroughbred, through and through.

What's the Price of the 2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo?

All that added practicality and 620 hp don't come cheap: the 2022 Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo has a starting price of a heady $183,800 MSRP excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,350. The Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is even pricier, starting at $193,800.

Rivals such as the 2021 Audi RS6 Avant and the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon come in at under $113,000. Fully loaded, the 2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo can easily cost you north of $250k.

2022 Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo Exterior

Dimensions

LengthWheelbaseHeightMax WidthFront WidthRear WidthCurb Weight
198.8 in116.1 in56.4 in78.2 in65.8 in65.0 in4,729.0 lbs


2022 Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Porsche builds some of the world's best-handling cars, and vehicles such as the 718 Cayman GT4 are the reason why so many people love the brand and why so many other manufacturers benchmark their products against it. It would be unfair to compare the 2022 Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo to a Cayman or 911, but you get the feeling that you're behind the wheel of a Porsche as soon as you start throwing the Turbo S Sport Turismo around the bends. The steering feel of the Panamera has improved in general over the past few years, and the Turbo S Sport Turismo offers surprising feedback. There's tons of corner exit grip, but you definitely feel the 4,000-pound plus curb weight when flinging it into a corner. On the open road, it offers a serene driving experience but can get on the stiff side when put in more sports-focused driving modes. It comes with standard adaptive air suspension that soaks up most bumps, and harsh road surfaces are effectively subdued before they disrupt the calm in the cabin.

2022 Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo Interior

2022 Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

BasicDrivetrainCorrosionRoadside AssistanceMaintenance
4 Years / 50,000 Miles4 Years / 50,000 Miles12 Years / Unlimited Miles4 Years / 50,000 Miles1 Years / 10,000 Miles


Verdict: Is the 2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo A Good car?

The Panamera family has found a loyal following and has proven to be a proper driver's car, despite the unorthodox (for a Porsche) engine layout and body styling. The Panamera is now offered as a sedan, an executive extended-wheelbase model, and for the past couple of years, as a 'Sport Turismo.' This wagon-esque body shape suits the Panamera; we think it looks good, and as an added bonus, it makes it even more practical. Get one in Turbo S guise, and not only do you have a practical family car and long-distance cruise missile, but an absolutely balls-to-the-wall performance car. With 620 horses under your right foot, this Porche will decimate most other vehicles from the stoplights. Sure, it costs a pretty penny, and the standard feature list is a bit light, especially on the driver aid front, but what the Panamera Turbo S lacks in features, it makes up for in its sheer athletic ability, build quality, and ability to cover long distances in the blink of an eye.

What Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo Model Should I Buy?

The 2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo is offered in gas-only or hybrid configurations. Both use a twin-turbo V8 but the hybrid's electric motor helps it produce 690 hp.

Both models are similarly equipped as standard and have access to the same extras. Just be careful - ticking the options boxes sky-rockets the price to over $200k very quickly. If we were buying, we'd get one in Carrara White Metallic and add the $3,940 Premium Package, which includes LED Matrix headlights, four-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, lane change assist, and soft-close doors. We'd also go for the $5,290 Assistance package, which adds a surround-view camera system, night vision assist, and adaptive cruise control. The $1,120 Sport Chrono Package with the Porsche Design Subsecond Clock is also a must. The total cost for this build comes to a cool $195,500 including the destination charge.

2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo Comparisons

2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo vs Audi RS6 Avant

Audi remains the king of fast wagons, and the latest RS6 Avant is as cool as they come. Based on looks alone, the Audi wins hands-down; this thing looks purposeful and aggressive, unlike the relatively shapeless Porsche. Under the hood, the RS6 Avant packs a similar twin-turbo V8 engine but gets help from a mild hybrid system to fill in any power gaps. Power is rated at 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, and power is sent to all fours via an eight-speed auto box. The RS6 Avant will get to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and top out at 190 mph when equipped with ceramic brakes; it might not be as fast as the Porsche, but it feels more noble and athletic around the corners and can be just as comfortable when need be. On the inside, the RS6 Avant offers a tech feast and lots of space. Its more traditional wagon shape also provides more cargo space. Starting at almost $75k cheaper, the Audi is a bargain compared to the Porker, and is our choice of the two.

2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo vs Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon

Slap an AMG badge on anything, and you're pretty much guaranteed a good time, even if it's on the back of a family station wagon. The Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is an absolute beast of a car: it also packs a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 engine producing 603 hp and a superior 627 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time is a less impressive 3.4 seconds and the top speed is 180 mph, but it's certainly worth mentioning that this Merc costs over $70,000 less than the Porsche. On the road, the E63 Wagon is a joy to drive and is a confident highway cruiser. The interior is more emotive, and the standard features list more impressive. The E63 is also more practical and offers significantly more cargo space. On paper, the Porsche is the faster car, but out in the real world, neither car will ever be pushed to its limits, and the Mercedes-AMG is just too much of a bargain to overlook.