2017 Porsche Panamera

The options list is extensive, ranging from conventional items to customization features- Autotrader

The 2017 Porsche Panamera has just two trims- Base and 4S but there are five different variants available depending on the drivetrain and wheelbase. There are plenty of fast luxury sedans on the market and none of them are cheap. The Panamera starts at $85,000 and even then it doesn't come with many of the features. Therefore, don't visit a Porsche dealer with light pockets. 

Only the base Panamera is an RWD car while the rest of the cars come standard with an AWD drivetrain. The optional $2,270 Sport Chrono package helps to increase the speed by two-tenth. It also adds a knob to the steering wheel which lets you cycle through the car's driving modes. Likewise, there are many options available for the Panamera but you will end up with endless charges. 

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The base Panamera model will satisfy more buyers as it comes with a decent list of standard features. We also recommend opting for the Night Vision Assist for $2,159, Park Assist package for $1,012, Porsche Active Safe that includes forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control for $1,448, and Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management for $1,858. 

The Panamera's gas mileage won’t haunt ethical drivers- The Car Connection

Although Porsche completely changed the Panamera for 2017, it couldn't improve one thing, its efficiency. Its fuel ratings are on par with other luxury cars in its class but it is least efficient. In normal form, the Panamera returns 21 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on a highway, and 24 MPG combined. The AWD models drop down the combined mileage by 1 MPG. 

 Every Panamera comes fitted with a 23.7-gallon fuel tank, which is the largest in this segment. Owing to this large tank, the Panamera manages to deliver up to 581 miles, both in RWD and AWD models. Compared to its rivals, the Panamera offers class-leading city and highway ranges. Therefore, the Panamera is the best travel companion for long journeys. 

The engine in the BMW 7 Series is the most efficient thanks to its auto start-stop engine feature. The fuel ratings of the Audi A8 and the Jaguar XJ are almost similar but the former being slightly more efficient, delivers the second-best range in this competition. The large fuel tank of the Panamera saves the day. 

The 2017 Panamera's dashboard is an inviting combination of old and new- Edmunds

2017 Porsche Panamera Seating and Comfort

One of the biggest changes can be easily found in the Porsche Panamera's cabin as it is a bold vision of Porsche's future. The build quality is absolutely flawless. It's not the execution that's flawless but also the design. Once inside, you will notice that there are only four seats and those seats are buckets that are comfortable and really hold you snuggly in place. The leather is so rich and supple and it covers nearly every surface of the car. The front seats are 8-way power-adjustable with standard heated function but ventilated and massaged seats are an option. 

With the Panamera, the back seats have always been just as important as the front seats, and in this new car, it gets even better because there's more space on offer. There's more legroom and the headroom is pretty good too despite the sloping roofline. But, if you are the type of person who thinks it is too cramped for you, there is also an Executive version that adds an extra 5.9 inches of wheelbase for more legroom. Also, if you do go for the Executive version, you can have picnic tables that fold out and screens at the back of the front seats, making your Panamera feel just like a Bentley. 

Like the Panamera, even the Audi A8 is a four-seater sedan while the BMW 7 Series and the Jaguar XJ can seat up to five people. The latter offers the least head and legroom in this competition and therefore, taller occupants can find this uncomfortable. On the flip side, the cabin of the 7 Series is the roomiest here thanks to its wide wheelbase. 

2017 Porsche Panamera Infotainment System

Upfront, you will notice 12.3-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment that looks absolutely fantastic and features Apple CarPlay only. The interface has been improved a lot and the touch responses are quick too. The screen senses when your hand is near and operates incredibly intuitively. using this screen, you can activate the sports exhaust, raise or lower the car and lift the rear spoiler. The old car's heavy center console has been replaced by a really slick-looking unit. Everything on the center stack is touch-sensitive and provides a little bumping sensation when you press a switch. 

A 10-speaker Hifi sound system is standard but the sound quality from the 21-speaker Burmester 3D surround system is heaven for audiophiles. The Panamera's cockpit is a digital world. The multi-function driver's display is very much a case of old meets new because you get a traditional analog clock for the rev counter. But, to the sides, there are two 7-inch screens that can be configured to a variety of settings. They can show ordinary speed and traffic info. Roll your thumb on the steering wheel and you'll get navigation, G-force readouts, and night vision even in daylight. 

2017 Porsche Panamera Interior Features

Some noticeable features of the Porsche Panamera's cabin are:

• Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel
• 8-way power front leather, heated seats
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Push-button start
• Ambient lighting
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power panoramic moonroof
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• 12.3-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay
• 10-speaker sound system
• Navigation system

2017 Porsche Panamera Cargo Capacity

Cargo capacity is one of the strong points of the Porsche Panamera. The boot volume measures up to 17.4 cubic feet. If you want to make it larger, Porsche does fit the Panamera as standard 3-way folding seats. Folding the seats opens up 46 cubic feet, which is the best in the class. So, the Panamera is truly practical. 

The square-shaped trunk also adds the advantage of storing more items. Despite being very space-age in the Panamera, Porsche has thought about practical things. The glovebox is large enough for a bottle of water and so are the door bins which is very nice for those long trips across the continent. However, the dual cupholders really east into space. 

The hatchback design of the Panamera allows it to offer more cargo space than any other car in its class. However, for a sedan profile, the BMW 7 Series offers the most cargo space. Surprisingly, the Jaguar XF stands in third place while the Audi A8 turns out to be the least practical sedan in this segment. 

Porsche’s Panamera sports sedan for 2017 shares not a single panel with the outgoing model, yet it is immediately recognizable- Kelly Blue Book

2017 Porsche Panamera Dimensions and Weight

The new 2017 Panamera has a classic Porsche design, an evolution of a perfect theme. It's low-slung with short overhangs, delicate creases, and a sexy rear. Its Porsche heritage is proudly on display from any angle. It looks so much better than the previous generation's bloated body. It looks so much lighter thanks to the coved-out surfaces and you also get cool LED headlamps that are multi-segmented. The Panamera gets 19-inch alloy wheels but it can be upgraded to 20 and 21-inch wheels. 

Moving to the side view, the Panamera looks a lot similar to the previous generation. The side sills look stylish and are functional for aerodynamic purposes.  The short wheelbase of the Panamera cuts of rear legroom but helps it to burn out extremely fast. The biggest difference in this year's Panamera's styling is the taillights. The thin light bar connecting the tail lamps is like that in the 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4 models. Down below, you get a quad exhaust setup, and with the 4S, it's a sport exhaust system. 

The BMW 7 Series has the widest wheelbase with 10 inches more than the Panamera. This means more rear passenger space. At 4.1 inches, the Jaguar XJ has the lowest ground clearance so, therefore, getting in and out of the vehicle can be easy. The Audi A8 is the bulkiest vehicle in this competition and hence, it pays a toll on its performance. 

2017 Porsche Panamera Exterior Features

Some of the cool exterior features of the Porsche Panamera are:

• LED headlights, taillights & DRLs
• Power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior mirrors
• Black grille with active grille shutters
• Black window trim
• Rear adjustable roofline spoiler
• 19,20 & 21-inch wheels
• Quad exhaust tips

Due to its high price tag, the Porsche Panamera did not undergo crash tests for the sake of safety ratings by NHTSA and IIHS. Therefore, the safety ratings are not available. The second-generation Panamera's body structure uses a mixture of aluminum and high-strength steel. This hybrid construction saves 144 pounds of weight and also increases torsional rigidity by about 8 percent. 

When it comes to driver assistance features, the Panamera is nicely equipped. Of course, the base model comes with limited standard features but the best part is that even the base model is eligible for upgrading to all the driver aids available in top trims through optional packages. Some of the safety features available in the Panamera are mentioned below:

• Front & Rear Parking Sensors
• Rearview Camera
• Lane Change Assist
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Lane Keep Assist
• 360-degree Parking Camera
• Forward Collision Warning
• Road Sign Recognition
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Night Vision Camera
• Lane Departure Warning

2017 Porsche Panamera vs 2017 BMW 7 Series

Priced less than the Panamera, the BMW 7 Series is the closest competitor to the latter, performance-wise. Its athletic handling is satisfying but the Panamera offers excellent driving dynamics. In terms of fuel economy, the 7 Series is more efficient. Its cabin seats five people (Panamera seats only four) and offers an extensive list of standard features. But, the Panamera wins extra points with its outstanding practicality. Both the sedans are not rated for safety but the 7 Series packs slightly more driver aids. 

2017 Porsche Panamera vs 2017 Audi A8

The Audi A8 is the only vehicle that offers a standard AWD system. Although similarly powered, its heavy curb weight makes it lag in terms of performance. Both the cars are equally luxurious and spacious but the Panamera's cabin feels modern. The infotainment setup in the A8 is more distracting to use while the features feel dated. Also, the cargo space offered by the A8 is the least in this segment. When it comes to safety, both the sedans are equipped with top driver-assist features.

2017 Porsche Panamera vs 2017 Jaguar XJ

Starting at $74,400, the Jaguar XJ is the cheapest car in this segment. It is slightly more powerful than the Panamera but still, its acceleration is slower. Its fuel estimates are also less than the Panamera. Moving to the interior, the XJ offers limited head and legroom in the rear row while the cargo capacity is also on the downside too. Also, the technological features are inferior and could use some updates. On the bright side, the XJ offers as many driver assistance features as the Panamera. 

The 2017 Porsche Panamera takes comfort and speed to a whole new level. It has mind-blowing performance and along with the new technology inside, it's a seriously desirable piece of kit. It takes extraordinary money to buy the new Panamera and there isn't any other car like it that's really worth the sticker price, ultra-fast, decadent, beautiful, and perfectly balanced. Porsche has a racing pedigree and high resale values. So, if you want a true four-door sports car, this is it.