2020 Porsche Panamera Review: Long Live The Sedan King

The antidote to becoming irrelevant and struggling to survive is, apparently, to break your own rules and lightly slap your most loyal fans in the face. For ten years now, the Porsche Panamera has been one of the brand's most successful competitors and money makers and with the full-size luxury sedan/hatchback now being on floors for a decade, Stuttgart has released a special edition to commemorate the milestone that purists thought would never be achieved. Various types of the Panamera are available, with the most common powertrain being a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 330 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is standard fare across the range, with most models sending power to all four wheels and the lower trims turning the rears exclusively. A 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 is available with 440 hp and 405 lb-ft, as well as a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 453 horses and 457 lb-ft of torque. These are fitted to S and GTS Panameras respectively, but no rear-wheel-drive variant is available in conjunction with the 400+ hp models.

What's the Price of the 2020 Porsche Panamera?

If you're the type to bum a smoke or go to the loo when the check arrives, the Porsche Panamera isn't for you. In base form, you'll pay $87,200 MSRP, that's before a $1,250 destination charge. The Panamera 4 starts a little higher at $91,800. The long-wheelbase Panamera 4 Executive is $98,500 while the Panamera 10 Years Edition is $103,300. The 4S variant starts at $105,000, while the Panamera 4 10 Years Edition is $107,500. The 4S Executive will set you back at least $116,300 and the top GTS trim costs $129,300. Fully loaded, one can easily spend over $230,000.

Handling and Driving Impressions

If you're buying a luxury vehicle, you expect comfort. If you're buying one from Germany, and particularly if it bears a Porsche badge, you expect exceptional handling too. With the Panamera, your expectations are met, and the greatest test of its drive is how well it performs in spirited driving conditions. As standard, the Panamera is equipped with adaptive dampers, otherwise known as Porsche Active Suspension Management. This allows for both a supple ride and excellent control of the body when you're pushing the car. Also available is an adaptive air suspension system that further enhances the contrast between various modes, allowing for a plush ride when you're cruising or need to drive over less than perfect surface.

In sportier settings, the suspension stiffens up to minimize body roll and keep the car flat. The adaptive air suspension package that is standard on the GTS is typically a little firmer than what is available elsewhere in the range, but it's not unbearable in the least and the benefits in the corners are astonishing. In terms of steering, you'll find that although the Panamera can never mirror the 911 for delicacy and ease of sudden direction changes, this big sedan can still turn in as sharply and as fluidly as the best of the competition. This is especially true if you opt for the rear-axle steering system that turns in the same direction as the front wheels when you're at higher speeds, thus increasing stability. In low-speed corners, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction for even sharper agility.

When it's time to stop, you can opt for carbon-ceramic brakes that minimize brake fade after consecutive hard stops, but even the standard setup is more than beefy enough to bring this hefty machine to a sudden stop. In traffic, the pedal is just as good too, allowing for easy modulation without excessive travel nor bite.

Verdict: Is the 2020 Porsche Panamera A Good car?

The 2020 Panamera is an outstanding car. It stands out for its price, the length of the options list, and the ridiculous things that you can change about it - those leather-wrapped air vents come to mind here. Even so, few will take issue with its foibles because it's brilliant in so many other respects. The handling is astounding for a vehicle of this size and makes the Panamera debatably worthy of the Porsche crest on its hood. The interior is finished to the highest standard with plenty of premium materials and expert design flourishes. Furthermore, even the base model is an impressive performer. Whatever you want to achieve with your Panamera, there's a model for you. Just need a family car with good handling and decent performance? There's an entry-level model for that. Wanna stretch out like a foreign dignitary in the back? The Executive has you covered. Wanna embarrass the kid in his Camaro next to you at the lights? The GTS will make him sell it. Truly, the Panamera has come of age, and despite being in relative infancy in comparison to some other nameplates, this vehicle is worthy of respect. Even if Porsche didn't respect the wishes of traditionalists who helped keep the brand alive in the past.

What New Porsche Panamera Model Should I Buy?

With so many Porsche Panamera models within the lineup; there's a model to suit almost any type of buyer. Of course, at this price level, the average family guy won't be doing much more than window shopping sadly. But for those who can afford to buy any of these models, there's a kind of Panamera for every need and taste, and the choice will come down to what the individual needs. Ultimate luxury and comfort will be achieved in an Executive model, but if such an individual has a need for more performance, there is a 4S Executive too. If rear legroom doesn't concern you as much as outright performance, the GTS is the ultimate in the range. Personally, we think 440 hp from an S variant is plenty, and since we'd rather be behind the wheel than sitting in the back, the Panamera 4S is our idea of a great all-rounder.

2020 Porsche Panamera Comparisons

2020 Porsche Panamera vs Audi A7 Sportback

The Audi A7 is another member of the VAG stable that offers impressive cargo and interior space, but this one is considerably more affordable, undercutting the cheapest Porsche Panamera's price by over $18,000, despite coming with all-wheel-drive as standard. Powered by the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine as the entry-level Panamera, the Audi A7 produces a little more power, offering 335 hp and an impressive jump in torque to 369 lb-ft. Interestingly, even more advanced tech is available on the A7, which offers HD Matrix LED lighting with Audi laser light. In addition, the A7 features a large 10.1-inch configurable driver display as standard, and its infotainment system features two screens, both of which are arguably child's play to operate when compared to that of the Porsche. If you're a family head looking to be perceived as discerning, the Audi A7 is the smart buy here.

2020 Porsche Panamera vs Porsche 911 Carrera

While the Panamera is offered with various performance-enhancing features and even comes in GTS flavor with 453 hp, a real Porsche key - to purists anyway - goes in the pocket of a 911 owner. With a base price of $97,400, the 911 Carrera is not just an entry-level sports car, it's a doorway to phenomenal driving pleasure and handling balance. It comes with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six as standard and sends 379 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Thanks to a redesigned interior and wider rear arches as standard, the 911 looks better and feels more right than a Panamera, although it didn't need any updates to achieve that. If you're willing to spend on an S variant, you can even opt for a manual gearbox at no extra cost. Unless you need the space, the 911 is the better performance car in every way, and we wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice practicality in the pursuit of driving nirvana.