Used 2020 Porsche Panamera

There are 21 different versions of the 2020 Porsche Panamera, three body styles, six methods of motivation, and a multiplex of options. With such a rich array of choices, the temptation would be to conclude that there’s something for everyone. But there isn’t.

The Porsche Panamera is for a particular buyer who doesn’t mind paying a lot, but expects a lot in return and is extremely exacting in his or her many demands. There has to be luxury, naturally, lots of technology and, because we’re talking about a Porsche here, unbeatable driving abilities. The company will also customize the Panamera’s interior to any color a buyer might choose, at a price.

The Tesla Model S can be fast and exclusive, and has a hatchback. The Ferrari GTC4Lusso likewise combines four seats with supercar talents. There are also several high-powered, high-luxury cars like the BMW M8 Gran Coupe and the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door. But no other manufacturer can match the epic scope of the 2020 Panamera lineup.

It might stretch the credulity of anyone who hasn’t driven a Porsche Panamera when the driving experience is described as similar to a 911 (one of the truly great driver’s machines), only in a large luxury car. But that’s essentially how it pans out.

Even the entry-level model has an active suspension and drive modes, bringing comfort when it’s needed and sportiness when it’s 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 setup is in the mix, along with Porsche’s torque-vectoring technology.

The overtly sporty GTS models have all-wheel drive and the air suspension as standard. So don’t think that a Porsche has to 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 330 horsepower in the base 2020 Panamera to a mighty 680 horsepower generated in the Turbo S E-Hybrid.

It’s not ostentatious, but the Panamera’s interior design reflects traditional Porsche values. The instrument cluster is dominated by a central rev counter, while the streamlined dashboard houses not much more than a large infotainment touch screen. Just below it is the center console that looks like it might have come from the future.

Seats are comfortable and supportive, with multiple adjustments — depending on the trim and extra equipment. Buyers may also choose from a catalog of options, all of which will push the 2020 Panamera’s price even higher.

Rear-occupant space in the regular Panamera is absolutely fine, but the almost-wagon Sport Turismo has the most headroom and cargo area, while the Executive model is for the rare person who doesn’t want to drive a Porsche but would prefer to stretch out and relax in the back.

The Panamera is a 4-seater, except for the Sport Turismo which has a little middle seat in the rear.

Panamera styling has not always been well received. The attempt to blend 911 sports-car cues into a large luxury sedan (well, hatchback) took until this second generation (which debuted in 2017) to finesse.

The stretched Executive model doesn’t look awkward, however, and the new Panamera Sport Turismo version is arguably the fairest of them all. The differences between the trims are mostly subtle, except that the GTS sits lower on its sport-tuned suspension. And it’s easy to distinguish the Turbo S E-Hybrid, thanks to the Acid Green paint job of its brake calipers.

BURMESTER AUDIO
The Burmester High-End Surround Sound system delivers 821 watts of superb audio through 12 speakers. It costs around $6,000, but it’s an audiophile’s delight.

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 fourth dimension. The objective is to optimize comfort and sportiness, whatever is required for that moment.

As well as the 330-horsepower turbocharged V6, dual-clutch transmission and all the remarkable engineering that’s gone into a making a luxury car with driver appeal — or a driver’s car with luxury leanings — the Panamera’s inventory of standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, navigation, Apple CarPlay, active suspension, partial leather upholstery, 8-way power-adjustable/heated front seats, parking sensors front and rear, 40/20/40-split/fold rear seats, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker/150-watt audio system.

The new-for-2020 10 Years Editions follow a common Porsche practice of offering a version whose retail price with standard equipment is less than taking a regular model and adding the relevant options.

The main disappointment in the 2020 Panamera is that advanced driver aids like adaptive cruise control cost extra in virtually all models. Only the 10 Years Edition versions have lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and road-sign recognition as standard.

Naturally, some of the features in the higher echelon are available as extras in the lower trims. This includes many cosmetic choices, plus rear-wheel steering, Sport Chrono package (clock/stopwatch and a launch mode), ceramic-composite brakes, head-up display, full leather upholstery, simulated-suede (Alcantara) headliner, carbon-fiber trim pieces, heated steering wheel, and a 12-speaker/821-watt Burmester audio system.

Buyers may also choose a European delivery, which entails picking up the car from the Porsche factory, driving it through the Old World for a time, then having it shipped home.

The 2020 Panamera range has no less than six choices of propulsion. The least powerful engine, a 330-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, is in the entry-level Panamera and Panamera 4 models, including the corresponding 10 Years Edition, Executive, and Sport Turismo cars. Going up to 4S iterations brings a 440-horsepower turbocharged 2.9-liter V6.

Turbo (think of this as a proper noun instead of a description) models have a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (with cylinder deactivation) generating 550 horsepower. It’s the same engine in GTS variants but detuned to 435 horsepower.

The E-Hybrid deploys that 2.9-liter V6 (detuned to 330 horsepower) then adds an electric motor for a combined output of 462 horsepower. The Turbo S E-Hybrid augments the 550-horsepower V8 with an electric motor for a total of 680 horsepower.

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

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (Panamera/Panamera 4)
330 horsepower @ 5,400-6,400 rpm
331 lb-ft of torque @ 1,340 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg (RWD), 19/26 mpg (AWD)

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (4S)
440 horsepower @ 5,650-6,600 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 mpg, 18/24 mpg (Sport Turismo)

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (GTS)
453 horsepower @ 6,000-6,500 rpm
457 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg, 15/22 mpg (Sport Turismo)

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo)
550 horsepower @ 5,750-6,000 rpm
567 lb-ft of torque @ 1,960-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg, 18/23 mpg (Sport Turismo)

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 + electric motor (4 E-Hybrid)
457 horsepower @ 5,250-6,500 rpm (peak output w/gasoline and electric combined)
516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-5,000 rpm
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: 23 mpg /51 MPGe

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 + electric motor (Turbo S E-Hybrid)
680 horsepower @ 5,750-6,000 rpm (peak output w/gasoline and electric combined)
626 lb-ft of torque @ 1,950-4,500 rpm
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: 20 mpg/48 MPGe