Best Porsche Panamera Model Years & Variants Ever Produced

What Makes It Special

The first Panamera facelift happened in 2013, for the 2014 model year. By this time, the car had been on the market for a few years, and Porsche had learnt a few lessons on improving the car's performance and aesthetics.

Among other things, the Panamera gained a more aggressive look with redesigned front and rear fascias, including new headlights, taillights and bumpers. A flatter rear window was introduced to improve visibility and reduce the car's 'hunchback' appearance.

There was also a new engine - a more efficient 3.0-litre V6 Biturbo that replaced the 4.8-litre V8 for the Panamera S and 4S models. Our pick would be the Panamera 4S. The model comes with all-wheel-drive as standard. There's also a horsepower bump over the base model. The 'S' designation implies a more sporty character and an engaging driving experience.

What Makes It Special

The 2025 Panamera keeps up the sedan's legacy of seamlessly combining sporty performance with luxury in a 4-door body style. There are potent turbo-charged V6 and V8 engines on offer. Porsche is also bringing hybrid models, specifically the 4 and 4S E-Hybrids, back into the fold. They join a lineup that includes the base model, Turbo E-Hybrids and a GTS model.

The sedan is not cheap, requiring a six-figure outlay for even the base trim. However, what you get is a top-of-the-line sports sedan with class-leading performance and features.

The 4S E-Hybrid is particularly tempting, pairing sporty performance with the extra boost and efficiency from the electric-motor pairing. The 21.8-kWh battery is an upgrade from the 14.3-kWh one in the previous model - an increase achieved with better cell chemistry rather than just adding extra cells.

Porsche's long list of options allows the owner to customize the Panamera extensively according to personal tastes - as long as you are not too sensitive about the price.

What Makes It Special

The 2018 Panamera was the second model year in the second generation of Porsche's luxury sports sedan, featuring design tweaks and upgraded technology.

The basic shape remained the same, but Porsche made serious attempts to refine the design, resulting in a sleeker overall profile. A sleek touchscreen replaced the button-heavy layout of the first-generation models, modernizing the interior. The seating and general layout maintain Porsche's trademark premium quality feel.

The 2018 Panamera is widely regarded as one of the best model years to purchase. The car boasts a quality and reliability score of 81 out of 100 from the popular review site JD Power. The score is indicative of fewer issues, defects or recalls with the Panamera model year.

In 2017, the Panamera got a new wagon body style called the Sport Turismo. It was made available for a few Panamera variants for the 2018 model year, including the 4S, and that's the one we would opt for because it is more practical and, frankly, looks way more aesthetically pleasing than the sedan.

What Makes It Special

The 2025 Panamera may be out, but there are still compelling reasons to spring for the 2024 model. The Panamera was redesigned for 2024 with a refreshed styling, upgraded tech and revised V6 powertrain for even more performance.

The interior space has been further elevated with premium materials, cutting-edge technology, and ergonomic enhancements - all the necessary ingredients for a luxurious and comfortable ride.

There were four different hybrid powertrains for the 2024 Panamera, offering more power, greater range and improved efficiency.

The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is one of the most potent, with about 670 hp on tap, infusing a higher level of sportiness into the luxury sedan. That power is enough to get the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid to 60 mph in 3 seconds and on to a top track speed of 195 mph.

Again, for the newer Panamera models, it's hard to go wrong as long as price is not a primary consideration and the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is well worthy of a splurge.The basic shape remained the same, but Porsche made serious attempts to refine the design, resulting in a sleeker overall profile. A sleek touchscreen replaced the button-heavy layout of the first-generation models, modernizing the interior. The seating and general layout maintain Porsche's trademark premium quality feel.

The 2018 Panamera is widely regarded as one of the best model years to purchase. The car boasts a quality and reliability score of 81 out of 100 from the popular review site JD Power. The score is indicative of fewer issues, defects or recalls with the Panamera model year.

In 2017, the Panamera got a new wagon body style called the Sport Turismo. It was made available for a few Panamera variants for the 2018 model year, including the 4S, and that's the one we would opt for because it is more practical and, frankly, looks way more aesthetically pleasing than the sedan.

What Makes It Special

There were only minimal changes for the 2021 model year. The SportDesign fascia, which was optional in the previous model, was integrated into the design as a standard addition. Also, the rear end sports a full-width LED strip and a new diffuser between the dual exhaust tips for a sportier look.

The interior features a redesigned steering wheel with integrated paddle shifters, while the chassis has been tweaked to enhance ride comfort and handling precision.

The 2021 Panamera is highly rated on popular websites like KBB and Edmunds, with praise especially reserved for the car's performance, overall quality and driving experience.

There's plenty of power spread through the lineup. Even the base model churns out 325 hp. On the other hand of the spectrum, there's the Turbo S E-Hybrid with 689 hp. The Panamera 4S is not as pricey as the range topping trims and strikes an ideal balance between value and performance.

What Makes It Special

The Porsche Panamera GTS is widely seen as the first Panamera to fully resonate with Porsche purists. Its naturally aspirated V8 delivered a level of throttle response, sound, and driver connection that later turbocharged models—while faster—couldn’t quite replicate. This was a car that felt mechanical, deliberate, and unmistakably Porsche.

What truly defined the 970 GTS was its balance. Porsche lowered the suspension, sharpened the chassis, and fitted a standard sport exhaust, creating a car that was engaging without being punishing. It was quick enough to excite but relaxed enough for daily driving, making it one of the most usable enthusiast sedans of its era.

Today, the 970 GTS has become increasingly desirable as one of the last naturally aspirated V8 Porsches. Its relative simplicity, character-rich engine, and strong enthusiast following make it one of the most emotionally rewarding Panameras to own.

What Makes It Special

The latest iteration of the Turbo S E-Hybrid represents the absolute peak of Porsche’s "E-Performance" philosophy. By combining a potent twin-turbo V8 with a high-output electric motor, Porsche has created a car with hypercar-adjacent acceleration. This model features the revolutionary Porsche Active Ride suspension, which uses active hydraulic pumps to eliminate body roll almost entirely, allowing the heavy sedan to corner with the agility of a much smaller sports car.

Inside, the cabin is a masterclass in digital integration, featuring a curved driver display and an optional passenger screen. Despite its immense weight due to the battery packs, the Turbo S E-Hybrid manages its bulk through rear-axle steering and massive ceramic composite brakes. It is the ultimate expression of the Panamera's dual personality: a silent, zero-emission cruiser in the city and a 200 mph monster on the Autobahn.

The car’s design for this generation has been sharpened, with "Turbonite" accents exclusive to the Turbo models, signifying its status at the top of the food chain. It isn't just a fast sedan; it is a technical showcase of what happens when Porsche’s engineering team is given a "no compromise" directive on power and luxury.

What Makes It Special

The Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Turismo takes the GTS formula and adds meaningful practicality without dulling the experience. Its wagon-style body increases cargo capacity and everyday usefulness while retaining the same V8 performance and chassis tuning as the GTS sedan.

For many enthusiasts, this variant represents the ideal modern Porsche—fast, rare, practical, and distinctive. It excels as a daily driver, road-trip machine, and spirited weekend car, all while offering a more unique silhouette than the standard Panamera.

With relatively low production numbers and strong enthusiast demand, the GTS Sport Turismo has developed a loyal following. It’s widely viewed as one of the most complete four-door Porsches ever built.

What Makes It Special

The Porsche Panamera Turbo S sits at the very top of the Panamera hierarchy. With explosive acceleration and relentless torque, it pushed the boundaries of what a luxury sedan could achieve, comfortably running with exotic sports cars in straight-line performance.

Despite its size and complexity, the Turbo S remains impressively composed. Porsche’s advanced chassis systems—rear-axle steering, adaptive air suspension, and torque vectoring—allow it to shrink around the driver at speed, delivering confidence and stability few competitors can match.

Ownership costs are higher, but for buyers seeking the most extreme non-hybrid Panamera ever produced, the Turbo S represents a pinnacle model—one that blends brutal performance with executive comfort.

What Makes It Special

The Panamera 4 is the definitive "standard" model. While "base" can be a misleading term in the world of Porsche, this version provides the core DNA of the series without the extreme price tags of the high-output variants. It is designed to be a luxury executive sedan first, offering a supple ride and a quiet cabin, yet it still retains the precision steering and low-slung seating position that separates a Porsche from a Mercedes-Benz or BMW.

For the latest 2024+ generation, the Panamera 4 received a revised 2.9-liter V6 that delivers more punch than its predecessor. It comes standard with an adaptive two-chamber air suspension, providing a much broader range between "Comfort" and "Sport" modes than previous generations. It is the practical choice for those who want a year-round grand tourer with all-wheel-drive security and enough power to satisfy on any highway on-ramp.

While it lacks the savage acceleration of the Turbo or the visceral roar of the GTS, the Panamera 4 is widely praised for its balance. It feels lighter on its feet than the heavy V8 hybrids and offers a level of refinement that makes it one of the best long-distance cruisers on the market today. It is the yardstick by which all the other "super" variants are measured.

What Makes It Special

For the enthusiast who refuses to compromise, the 971.2 Turbo S Sport Turismo is the ultimate acquisition. With Porsche officially discontinuing the "Sport Turismo" (wagon) body style for the third generation (2024+), this specific model has immediately transitioned from a "new car" to a "rare collectible." It represents the most powerful, non-hybrid, internal combustion wagon Porsche ever produced. By opting for the pure Turbo S over the E-Hybrid, you lose the extra weight of the batteries, resulting in a more agile, purist driving experience that will always be more desirable to collectors.

The "no excuses" nature of this car lies in its versatility. It offers supercar-level acceleration, the prestige of the top-tier Turbo S badge, and the rare "Shooting Brake" silhouette that is historically favored by the enthusiast market. In the world of Porsche, limited-run body styles (like the 911 Targa or older Speedsters) almost always hold their value better than their standard counterparts. This is the only Panamera that can legitimately be described as a "lifestyle" vehicle that doubles as a track-capable weapon.

Driving this variant is a visceral event. The 4.0L V8 is at its peak here, unencumbered by the complexity of electric motors, delivering a raw mechanical connection and a simplified maintenance path for future owners. It is a "buy it and keep it forever" car—the kind that will be featured at elite concours events twenty years from now as the high-water mark of the gasoline-powered executive express.

What Makes It Special

The 971 GTS Sedan is widely regarded by the "Porsche faithful" as the best-driving car in the entire history of the model. While the Turbo models win on spec sheets, the GTS wins on the road. Porsche engineers gave this car a specific "GTS-tune"—it sits lower than any other Panamera, uses a louder, more aggressive sport exhaust as standard, and features a suspension calibration that prioritizes road feel and turn-in over pure limousine comfort. It is the Panamera that feels most like a 911 from behind the wheel.

What makes the 971 GTS an investment-worthy choice is its purity. It uses a detuned version of the Turbo’s V8, meaning the engine is "over-engineered" for the power it’s making, leading to incredible reliability. It is the only variant that avoids the "complexity creep" of the hybrids while still offering the 911-inspired "coupe" silhouette that you noted. For many, this is the most beautiful version of the car, especially when specced with the GTS-exclusive Alcantara interior and Carmine Red accents.

Choosing the GTS over the Turbo S means you are choosing "driving soul" over "straight-line ego." Because GTS models are produced in fewer numbers than the standard "4" or "4S" models, they consistently command the highest residuals in the Panamera lineup. It is a car that you can drive daily for five years and still find a line of eager buyers when you’re ready to sell, simply because the driving dynamics are so much sharper than the rest of the range.