2022 Porsche Panamera

The 2022 Porsche Panamera weds stellar performance with executive realness; it’s one of the best cars to buy, period. All models are adequately brisk, getting to 60 mph before you can count to six Mississippi. Porsche offers a wide variety of engines, starting with a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 producing 325 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque.

It’s used in the Panamera and the more powerful Panamera S, where it makes 443 hp and 405 lb-ft. In the base Panamera, this engine gets the car to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and 5.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. The top speed is rated at 168 mph. The base Panamera also happens to be the only rear-wheel-drive model in the range.

The second-generation Porsche Panamera sedan has been on sale for a full six years, but it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Last year, it received the obligatory midlife facelift, keeping it competitive in this highly contested luxury rocketship category. Porsche’s design remains contentious, though less so than before. Crucially, it feels and drives like a Porsche should, even more so after last year’s active suspension management upgrade.

The Panamera soldiers on into 2022 with more power than ever before and without the outdated 3.0-liter single-turbo V6 dragging the entry-level models down. There’s a wide variety of models to choose from in both standard and long-wheelbase format, with gas and hybrid power outputs ranging from 325 horsepower to 552 hp.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

With agile handling and a smooth ride, especially when equipped with the optional adjustable air suspension, the 2022 Porsche Panamera is a thrill to drive. It also provides the comfort and luxury expected of such an expensive four-door hatchback. Every Panamera comes with a boosted engine, but only some wear the Turbo badge. We review those models separately. The base rear-wheel-drive Panamera and all-wheel-drive Panamera 4 feature a 325-hp turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6.

Under the hood of the considerably quicker 4S model—60 mph in 3.6 seconds—is a 440-hp twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6. Upgrading to the GTS gives you a 473-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. It’s the best performing of the non-Turbo line; however, its suspension sacrifices some ride quality in the name of handling. Porsche also offers plug-in Panameras, with a 455-hp powertrain in the 4 E-Hybrid and a 552-hp setup in the 4S E-Hybrid. Buyers looking for an all-electric Porsche should check out the new Taycan.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA has released fuel-economy estimates for the 2022 Porsche Panamera line, and none of them are particularly fuel-efficient. The 4 E-Hybrid is perhaps the best of the Panameras in this area, as it offers a limited all-electric driving range before needing to fire up its gasoline engine.

Otherwise, the most efficient of the nonhybrid models are the base Panamera and the 4 and 4S models, all of which carry the same 18 mpg city and 24 mpg fuel economy ratings. When we get a chance to test the 2022 Porsche Panamera models on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, we’ll update this story with the results. For more information about the Panamera’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Porsche’s Panamera boasts a driver-focused cabin that looks and feels every bit as luxurious as its steep price would have you believe. The list of standard features is long and appropriate for the class, but as with any Porsche, the options list is also quite extensive and pricey. Upgrades include everything from massaging seats to leather-covered climate-control vents to a fire extinguisher.

More common options include ventilated seats, soft-close doors, four-zone automatic climate control, and a power-operated rear sunshade. We especially like the sports seats with 18-way adjustability. You sit low in the 2022 Porsche Panamera, which gives this sedan-like hatchback a sports-car feel. Plus, it’s spacious inside, even for tall drivers. Executive models offer limo-like legroom in the back.

The center console looks high-tech as it’s littered with touch-sensitive controls for functions such as climate control. Unfortunately, we find this all-touch system to be fussy and difficult to use while driving, but you get used to it quickly. The 2022 Porsche Panamera also provides a good amount of storage room, with 18 cubic feet of cargo space.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Sitting in the center of the Panamera’s dash is a large and attractive 12.3-inch touchscreen; unfortunately, the infotainment system isn’t as easy to use as it should be. Although it has desirable features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, the menus are complicated, and many of its functions could be more intuitive. As it is, the system can be distracting to operate while driving.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Porsches have a very good reputation for safety and crash performance, and the 2022 Porsche Panamera is available with numerous driver-assistance features. Porsche now provides some things, like lane-keeping assist, as standard equipment, but many of the tech-based driver aids (like the night-vision feature) and active safety systems require more coin. For more information about the Panamera’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

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