Used 2021 Porsche Panamera

With the 2021 Porsche Panamera, there a more than 20 versions from which to choose. As such, you’d think there would be a model for everyone. Such is not the case.

The Porsche Panamera is for a particular buyer of a certain means, a person who wouldn’t mind paying a lot but also expecting a lot in return. There has to be abundant luxury and technology, but at the same time, this vehicle also must have the outstanding driving dynamics long associated with the storied German brand.

Others to consider: The Tesla Model S is a fast and exclusive hatchback. The Ferrari GTC4Lusso combines four seats with supercar talents. Also, the BMW M8 Gran Coupe and Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door are worthy of consideration. But no other model has as many variations as the 2021 Porsche Panamera.

Despite the fact it has an engine mounted longitudinally in front of the cabin, you can tell the Panamera is a Porsche and that the 911 (one of the world’s best driver’s cars) features prominently in its DNA. Yes, the Panamera is a large luxury car, but it has impressive sporting abilities.

Even the entry-level Panamera has an active suspension and driver-selectable drive modes, bringing comfort when needed and sportiness when wanted. The adaptive air suspension in the higher trims is even better.

Despite its length, the Panamera is wonderfully maneuverable, the steering is remarkably precise, and the car corners like a champ, especially when the rear-wheel-steering and torque-vectoring technology come into play.

The overtly sporty Panamera GTS models have standard all-wheel drive and air suspension. So don’t think that a Porsche must have rear-wheel drive to appeal to the purist.

Gear changes can be left to Porsche’s excellent PDK twin-clutch 8-speed automatic, while horsepower ranges from a respectable 325 horsepower in the base 2021 Panamera to a mighty 689 horsepower generated in the new Turbo S E-Hybrid PHEV.

The Panamera interior reflects traditional Porsche values. For 2021, there’s a redesigned multifunction Sport steering wheel with shift paddles. The Panamera Turbo S gets an even fancier GT Sport steering wheel, with leather-covered shift paddles.

In Porsche tradition, the Panamera instrument cluster features a central tachometer, while the streamlined dashboard houses a large infotainment touchscreen. Just below is a futuristic center console.

The Panamera’s seats are comfortable and supportive, and they offer multiple adjustments that vary depending on level of trim. Buyers also may choose from a catalog of options, all of which push the 2021 Panamera’s price even higher.

Rear-occupant space in the regular Panamera is excellent, but the wagon-like Sport Turismo model has the most headroom and cargo area. The Panamera Executive, with an extra 5.9 inches of wheelbase, is for the rare person who doesn’t want to drive a Porsche but would prefer to stretch out in back and relax.

Most Porsche Panameras are 4-seaters, but the Panamera Sport Turismo seats five.

Panamera styling has not always been well received. The idea of blending 911 sports-car cues into a large luxury sedan (hatchback, actually) didn’t really blossom until this handsome 2nd-generation Panamera arrived for 2017.

All 2021 Panamera models now feature the Sport Design front fascia that was previously optional, and a redesigned SportDesign package will be available as an upgrade. There’s a new light strip across the rear of the car, connecting the taillights, and a new lower diffuser with fins.

Panamera Turbo S variants, reflecting their increased power, get larger front air intakes and a unique headlight signature.

The Panamera Executive model manages to get stretched without looking awkward, but we like the look of the Panamera Sport Turismo best. In general, the visual differences among the various trims are fairly subtle, quite unlike the Acid Green paint used on the brake calipers of Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.

BURMESTER 3D AUDIO
The Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound system delivers 1,455 watts of superb audio through 21 speakers. It costs around $6,000, but you’ll hear Ride of the Valkyries like you’ve never heard it before.

4D CHASSIS CONTROL
Porsche’s 4D Chassis Control analyzes the Panamera’s behavior in three spatial dimensions, then synchronizes things like the adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering in real-time. The objective is to optimize comfort and sportiness, which it does very well.

In addition to the new 325-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and active suspension, the 2021 Porsche Panamera has an impressive inventory of standard equipment: It includes 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, navigation, Apple CarPlay, leather upholstery, heated power front seats, parking sensors, and a 10-speaker/150-watt audio system. What’s more, the GTS has tinted taillights and black wheels, while all Panamera E-Hybrid models get a 27-percent-larger battery (179 kWh vs. 14.1 kWh) for 2021.

Unfortunately, advanced driver aids like adaptive cruise control cost extra in many 2021 Porsche Panamera models.

Items such as 14-way comfort seats and 18-way adaptive sport seats are optional on lower trims of the Panamera. Other options include rear-wheel steering, Sport Chrono package (clock/stopwatch and a launch mode), Porsche’s ceramic-composite brakes, a head-up display, full leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner, and various carbon-fiber trim pieces. You can also get a heated steering wheel and that 21-speaker Burmester audio system, but be prepared to pay.

Also, for the first time, the Porsche Panamera will be available with Ultra High Performance summer tires. Porsche says these extra-grippy tires will “allow all of the chassis and suspension systems to work at their highest levels of capability.”

The 2021 Panamera has multiple propulsion choices. The new base engine, a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with 325 horsepower, is employed in the entry-level Panamera and the Panamera 4 models, as well as the corresponding Executive and Sport Turismo cars. The Panamera 4S comes with a 449-horsepower version of the 2.9.

Panamera Turbo S models, which replace the Panamera Turbo, are powered by a significantly revamped twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 making 620 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque (versus 550 hp and 567 lb-ft in the Panamera Turbo). The twin-turbo V8 in the Panamera GTS variants makes 473 hp (up by 20 compared to last year’s GTS) and 457 lb-ft of torque.

The plug-in Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid models pair the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with a 134-horsepower electric motor, creating a gas/electric powertrain with an impressive 552 net horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. While that sounds like a lot of power, the new 2021 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid ups that to a whopping 689 horsepower, making it the second most powerful Porsche available.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the basic Panamera setup, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is available in several versions. Every Panamera uses an 8-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Panamera/Panamera 4)
325 horsepower @ 5,400-6,400 rpm
331 lb-ft of torque @ 1,8340 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg (RWD & AWD)

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (4S)
443 horsepower @ 5,750-6,600 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900-5,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg, 17/23 mpg (Sport Turismo)

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (GTS)
473 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
457 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg, 15/20 mpg (Sport Turismo)

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo S)
620 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
604 lb-ft of torque @ 2,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 + electric motor (4 E-Hybrid)
455 horsepower @ 5,400-5,600 rpm (peak output w/gasoline and electric combined)
516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,850-5,000 rpm
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: est 23 mpg /51 MPGe

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 + electric motor (4S E-Hybrid)
552 horsepower @ 5,400-5,600 rpm (peak output w/gasoline and electric combined)
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,850-5,000 rpm
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: est 23 mpg /51 MPGe

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 + electric motor (Turbo S E-Hybrid)
689 horsepower @ 5,750-6,000 rpm (peak output w/gasoline and electric combined)
642 lb-ft of torque @ 2,100-4,500 rpm
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: est 23 mpg/51 MPGe