For The 4S is plenty fast enough, and treats you to a slick ride, great handling and gorgeous cabin. It's got lots of luxury equipment as standard, too.
Against It might be practical for a Porsche, but rival fast saloons are better on that score, and the centre console is cluttered. You pay a big premium over the S for four-wheel drive.
Not the one we'd pick. Go for either the more sensible diesel version, or the totally nutty Turbo S version. Why do things by halves?
The entry point into the Panamera range is the the V6 petrol version, which comes with sat-nav, a leather interior, parking sensors, alloys and cruise control.
Other versions cost a lot more, but don't have much more kit. The S has a 4.8-litre V8 engine, the 4S adds four-wheel drive and the semi-automatic gearbox, while the GTS adds more power, air suspension and a sports exhaust. The 493bhp Turbo and 542bhp Turbo S are the most expensive - cars in the range, and we wouldn't blame you if you couldn't resist them. However, we think the 3.0 diesel version makes most sense - it's fast, smooth, doesn't cost the earth to run and still drives like a Porsche should.p>
You can add all sorts of exotic extras. There's a button to make the exhaust louder, carbon-ceramic brakes, or a Sports Chrono Package that includes F1-style launch control. Also, Porsche takes all Panamera buyers to the Silverstone racetrack, where instructors show them how to get the best from their car.