Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche Panamera Turbo

While styling divides opinion, super-saloon is a hugely capable package

IF the Rapide is the car James Bond would use as family transport, the Panamera is what his latest adversary would choose. It has the style and character of a Hollywood baddie, and despite measuring 49mm shorter than the Aston the taller Porsche looks like a much bigger and heavier machine.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Adopting the styling of the firm’s 911 sports car works well, particularly on the five-door’s nose. From the front doors back, though, the results are less successful, as the heavy rear end and slab sides do the Panamera few favours. A different colour might improve matters, but our white test car looked brazen and brash next to the sophisticated Brit.

Step inside and our duo are equally different. Yet what the Porsche lacks in terms of flair it makes up for with space, quality and simplicity. Anyone who is familiar with a 911 will feel instantly at home. From the driving position and instruments to the view out over the bonnet, it’s all trademark Porsche stuff.

What won’t be familiar to 911 owners is the amount of space in the rear. Here you’ll find the kind of comfort usually associated with a limousine. The cabin is much bigger than the Rapide in the back, with plentiful leg and headroom, while the 432-litre boot is also more spacious.
Under the bonnet, the 4.8-litre V8 has fewer cylinders and less capacity than the Aston powerplant, but the addition of twin turbos gives it the edge for sheer punch. It produces 30bhp more than its rival, at 500bhp, and with our car’s Sport Chrono Package Plus (£1,260), a huge 170Nm more torque, at 770Nm. Add four-wheel-drive traction and a fast-shifting automated dual-clutch gearbox, and the Panamera is amazingly fast out of the blocks.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

84,859 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,200
View Golf
Juke

2023 Nissan

Juke

9,913 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £19,400
View Juke
Arona

2020 SEAT

Arona

39,173 milesAutomaticDiesel1.6L

Cash £12,600
View Arona
Q3

2023 Audi

Q3

72,003 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £20,500
View Q3

In our test it blasted from 0-60mph in only 3.6 seconds, and covered 30-70mph in three seconds exactly, destroying the Rapide for pure pace. The Sport Chrono Package Plus does include a helpful launch control setting, but the Porsche is faster from a standing or moving start.

The Panamera is easier to drive quickly across country, too, where its huge reserves of grip, confidence-inspiring steering and smooth PDK transmission combine impressively. If only the controls for the gearbox were more intuitive – they’re not a patch on the Aston’s paddles. Ride comfort is reasonable, and the adaptive air-suspension provides a series of settings to suit your mood.

However, for all of the Panamera’s ability and composure, it’s ultimately less engaging – the Rapide goes about its business with much more panache. Our car’s ceramic composite brakes (a £5,800 option) also failed to match the Aston’s more conventional stoppers for performance or feel. And once you get used to the novelty of blasting from 0-60mph as fast as a supercar in a four-seater weighing 1,970kg, the Panamera begins to lose some of its appeal.

If you regularly need four seats over long distances, the Porsche is the obvious choice here. But if the extra space provided by these cars will be used only occasionally, the Panamera has its work cut out.

Details

Chart position: 2
WHY: The ugly duckling of the super-saloon sector is a hugely capable machine. Scorching pace and handling are guaranteed.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,877
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,050 off RRP*Used from £13,125
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £16,811
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona - front end

Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle

Hybrid newcomers slug it out for family buyers’ hearts and minds
Car group tests
12 Jul 2025