Porsche Panamera Hatchback full 9 point review
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Performance
There are 3.6-litre V6 or 4.8-litre V8 petrol engines, as well as a hybrid that uses a 3.0-litre engine with an electric motor, and a diesel - and none is short of pace. The V8 S and 4S are fast, but the performance is effortless rather than ballistic. The GTS has a slightly more powerful version, but the same is true. In the Turbo, acceleration is brutal - and the Turbo S is faster still. The diesel is usefully flexible, but with the V6 petrol, you're conscious of having to work it hard.
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Ride & Handling
Most Panameras ride on conventional steel springs and you can switch between three settings: Comfort, Sport or Sport Plus. The GTS and Turbo models have air suspension (optional on the other models), which has the same settings. Whichever you choose, the ride is firm around town, but supple at speed. Despite its size, the Panamera handles like a ‘proper’ Porsche, but the Hybrid runs wide earlier than a conventional model, especially if you specify low-rolling-resistance tyres.
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Refinement
Whatever the speed or surface, you barely hear a peep from the outside world. Gearchanges from the semi-automatic ’box are generally quick and slick, but can be clunky around town. There’s also an annoying pause between pressing the accelerator and the car moving away. The V8 engines are hushed when you want, but sound fantastic when you give them a footful of pedal. Sadly, the Hybrid’s engine sounds thrashy, and the diesel has a muted rumble that never lets you forget it's a diesel.
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Buying & Owning
Face facts – you'll need a large bank balance to drive a Panamera, although the V6 diesel version is comfortably the cheapest model to buy and run. Even so, any Panamera costs a bomb to buy, and you won't get a discount. It's no better as a company car – high emissions and a high price mean ridiculous bills. Yes, the hybrid has low emissions and good economy, but they're cancelled out by the high list price.
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Quality & Reliability
The Panamera's materials look absolutely gorgeous, giving the cabin a real air of quality. The fit and finish are good, too. Porsche usually ranks pretty highly in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, and many of the Panamera's parts have been tried and tested on the Cayenne 4x4.
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Safety & Security
All Panameras come with a whole host of driver aids, including stability control, to keep all that power in check. If the worst does happen, there are no fewer than eight airbags to minimise injuries, and 10 in the Turbo. On the security front, all Panameras come with a sophisticated vehicle-tracking system.
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Behind The Wheel
All Panameras come with electric seat adjustment, so you won't have any problems finding a comfortable driving position. The swish-looking centre console houses all the controls for the Panamera's numerous gizmos, but because there's a button for every function, it's covered in switches, making it hard to pick out the one you want at a glance.
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Space & Practicality
The Panamera is the most practical sports car Porsche makes, but don't expect miracles. You can easily seat four adults, and there's plenty of legroom in the back seats. However, the boot isn't much bigger than a family hatchback's, and it's an awkward shape.
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Equipment
The entry-level Panamera comes with the luxury toys you'd expect for this price – satellite-navigation, leather interior, parking sensors, 18-inch alloys and cruise control. Higher spec models add more power and items that's enhance your car's dynamic ability, but they don't tend to add much in the way of luxury kit.
Panamera rivals
Panamera used rivals
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Porsche Panamera Hatchback 3.0D V6 5dr
Does what it does extremely well – it's fast, classy and reasonably practical. Trouble is, so is a Jaguar XFR – for a fraction of the price.
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