2015 Porsche Panamera

The 2015 Porsche Panamera starts at an MSRP of $78,100 for the base trim and for this price tag, it comes equipped with quite a lot of convenient features that are required to compete in a class like this. Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, LED headlight and taillight accents, a power liftgate, sunroof, etc. The Panamera 4 adds AWD on top of it, while the 4S adds twin turbochargers to the V6 for even better performance. 

The Panamera also gets the fancier features from the higher trims trickled down as packages, of which some of the most famous features that the buyers go for include adaptive cruise control, rearview and 360-degree surround-view cameras, rearseat entertainment system, 16-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system, and voice controls. 

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The Porsche Panamera is a supercar with two rear seats and to be one, an AWD system is very much required for traction purposes. Having said that, we recommend opting for the Panamera 4 since the engine is a gem and is properly utilized by the AWD on offer, along with a solid list of standard features that fit the bill for most of the prospective owners out there. 

The 2015 Porsche Panamera is powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.6L V6 as standard which produces 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque which is channeled through Porsche’s 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission to the rear wheels only. Upgrading to the 4 makes this power distributed to all four wheels, which is a rear-wheel biased system. Upgrading to the 4S replaces the naturally aspirated unit with a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 that bumps up the output to 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. This unit is paired to the same gearbox but has more punch and is more responsive than the standard unit. 

The standard engine is very quiet and is extremely smooth while climbing up the revs, not to mention how quick it is. The cabin has very good control of the noise levels inside that makes the Panamera worth every $ one spent on it. The steering is super responsive and the feedback is immediate owing to the supercar-sedan status it has. The suspension does a fantastic job of keeping the car balanced at high speeds but in the city, it might be a notch too firm and over rough patches, it is surely going to communicate the discrepancies via the seats. 

All the cars have monstrous numbers to boast of and in between the monstrosity, the Merc and the Maserati take the lead in acceleration, while the latter goes for the overall win in the quarter-mile as well. The Ghibli does get the strongest mill of all that posts the most horsepower and torque in the comparison. 

The 2015 Porsche Panamera has a naturally aspirated V6 under its hood which does an impressive job of keeping the MPGs in check. The EPA estimates the Panamera’s V6 to return 18 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, for a combined of 22 MPG from its 21.1-gallon fuel tank. The figures are mighty impressive for a car that is essentially a bulbous 911 with 4 seats. 

The Maserati’s higher output does play a role in the low MOG that it gets, followed by the Audi and the Porsche. The Mercedes-Benz scores the overall victory here with its impressive MPG figures, along with a tank as big as the Porsche and the Maserati that aids it further in the range. 

The 2015 Porsche Panamera competes against some very famous names in the segment and as such, is covered to the brim in posh materials like leather, chrome, and wood. The door panels and the dashboard donne leather while the higher trims can also be equipped with contrast stitching to add a pinch of visual delight. The center console is beautifully laid out but the sheer number of buttons and controls might confuse some as to what does what. The gear shifter is in easy reach of the driver and the center armrest does a good job of storing things. 

The seats are super comfortable and have a lot of functionality to them, starting from the base trim itself. The base comes with power-adjustable seats for the front occupants and is covered in soft leather to keep them warm during long drives. The higher trims add features like heating. Ventilation, memory, etc. The rear seats are as supportive as the front seats and it is imperative to say that these seats are as comfortable and practical as the front seats. 

The Panamera has the most headroom for the passengers but the shoulder room is significantly reduced for both the front and the rear row. Also, the cargo capacity is a bit more than the Mercedes-Benz but a hatchback-like opening does help in easy loading and unloading of luggage. That being said, the Panamera has a very beautifully crafted interior and some of the highlighting features of this interior are:

• Sunroof
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Leather upholstery
• 8-way power front seats
• Heated front seats
• Chilled glovebox
• 60/40-split rear seatback

How intuitive is the infotainment unit in the 2015 Porsche Panamera?

The 2015 Porsche Panamera comes equipped with a 7-inch display unit mounted in the center of the dashboard which is controlled via touch. This system is easy to reach and doesn’t cast a glare in the driver’s eyes while driving. The touch response is very smooth and doesn’t stutter while using it. In terms of the technology on offer, the system comes with Bluetooth for a smartphone connection and wireless telephony. 

For the latest model year, Porsche has also included Porsche Online Services that includes Internet connectivity via Aha Radio mobile application. This infotainment system is fitted with an 11-speaker setup as standard which can be upgraded to an optional 16-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system. That being said, some of the most highlighting features of this infotainment system are:

• 7-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth
• Porsche Online Services
• Navigation
• Satellite radio
• HD radio
• USB/iPod interface
• 11-speaker sound system
• 16-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system (optional)

The 2015 Porsche Panamera looks all bits of a sports car from the front with a sloping hood, a clean fascia, and vents that work and distribute airflow evenly to the engine to help it keep its cool. The big Porsche LED headlights are very familiar and have a very even throw. Along with that, the company has beautifully integrated the turn signals into the bumper that looks cool and adds to the German charm of the car. 

The side is where the Panamera has its signature sloping roof and two extra doors. The body lines are simple with no hard edges to them, whereas the big 18-inch alloys do add to the sportiness of the design. The rear seats are the place where many people are divided, because of the way the LED taillights look. They look sharp to some, and to some, they look very big and out of character for a sporty luxury sedan. 

The Mercedes-Benz carries the most weight but also has the shortest wheelbase that helps in maneuvering and handling in the twisty roads. The Panamera has the lightest weight and is also the most nimble around the corners, with excellent steering feedback. The higher ground clearance also helps in negotiating with the rough patches. That being said, it is surely a looker and some of the highlighting exterior features are:

• 18-inch wheels
• Adaptive headlights
• LED headlight and taillight accents
• Auto-leveling bi-xenon headlights
• Power liftgate
• Adaptive suspension dampers 
• Chrome window surrounds

The 2015 Porsche Panamera competes in a class where performance, luxury, and safety are given the paramount importance. That being said, Porsche equips the Panamera with all the necessary aids that are available in the market while increasing the benchmark with a well-balanced chassis with exceptional durability. Talking of the driver-assistance features on offer, the Panamera does not have a bevy on offer but these features can be added later via packages. Some of the highlighting driver-assistance features on offer are:

• 360-degree surround-view cameras
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control (optional)
• Adaptive headlights
• ParkAssist
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor

The Porsche Panamera is one sedan that does give all the others a run for their money via the luxury it offers, coupled with the performance and the driving experience. The steering is one of the most responsive ones in the market while the engine might not be the most powerful but the PDK gearbox ensures smooth launches. The only zonk that some might have is the rather cramped shoulder room but that can be easily forgiven due to the luxury on offer; making the Panamera sure-shot worthy of your money.