Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
I used to think that sedans and SUVs like the Panamera and Cayenne didn’t fit with Porsche’s identity as a sports car brand. If that’s the case, why buy a Porsche? There are plenty of other luxury sedans available in that price range.
But here's the thing...
I realized once again while preparing this test drive of the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid that it’s foolish to judge something without experiencing it first. After all, Porsche is Porsche!
Moreover, I found it hard to find another alternative that could match the Panamera as a comfortable luxury sedan that still captures the raw emotions of a sports car.
The spacious second-row seating, perfect for family outings, fulfills the dreams of dads wanting to own a Porsche. It also provides a luxurious and sporty environment suitable for meetings with business partners.
Personally, my favorite feature is the trunk that accommodates golf bags. Even when heading to a nearby golf course in Seoul, it usually takes at least 1-2 hours, making the use of a sports car like the 911 or 718 somewhat inconvenient.
However, the trunk space (405L) is slightly smaller than the standard Panamera, likely due to the battery space for the electric motor, making it a bit tight for storing golf bags. Nevertheless, I could fit them in without folding down the second row. There was also enough space for a duffel bag or various other items.
By the way, utilizing the 40:20:40 folding rear seats allows for even more comfortable storage options.
And now, let’s hit the road!
The joy of Porsche's distinctive growling exhaust sound accompanies us.
The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is incredibly fast.
As Porsche's first all-wheel-drive hybrid, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid combines the immediate response of an electric motor with a V6 gasoline turbo engine that matches the performance of the Panamera 4S. This gives it extraordinary performance that surpasses the Panamera's top performance model, the GTS, making it a compelling choice!
In fact, if I had judged the Porsche Panamera solely based on its spaciousness and luxury, I wouldn’t have rated it so highly. As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of luxury sedans or SUVs available.
It’s incredibly fast...
The system delivers a maximum output of 462 horsepower and a torque of 71.4 kg·m.
Additionally, in E-POWER mode, you can drive using only the electric motor for a maximum of 33 km without consuming fuel, with a top speed of 87 mph.
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Test Drive
Now, let's dive into the details of the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid test drive. Starting with the exterior, the clearly visible four-point LED headlights, the hood line, racing DNA infused flag-type side mirrors, and the large air intakes stand out.
The vehicle featured in this test drive comes in Volcano Gray Metallic, which incurs an additional option cost of 1,800 USD. However, if you're considering the high-performance Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, I highly recommend this stunning color.
Inside, the car features a Bordeaux Red two-tone luxury leather option. While it’s an option, the steering wheel also comes with Alcantara.
If it were up to me, I would have chosen a regular leather sports steering wheel instead of Alcantara. However, given that this is a high-performance vehicle with 462 horsepower, the combination of the Panamera with an Alcantara steering wheel doesn’t feel out of place. For those who tend to sweat a lot, there’s no better option, especially if you enjoy exhilarating drives! ^^
The area around the gearbox looks more complex compared to previous Porsche models, which had a simpler design. The functional buttons now use a capacitive touch panel, providing a unique experience. While it’s digital, it still allows you to feel the analog essence.
You won’t take long to get used to the buttons, so there’s no need to worry. The buttons for operating the infotainment system, volume, and air conditioning features are mostly found in previous Porsche models as well.
Furthermore, the 12.3-inch touch display conveniently presents various infotainment-related information, multimedia, and Korean navigation features at a glance. Finally, it seems that Porsche has also incorporated autonomous driving assistance features like lane-keeping and lane-change support!
However, unfortunately, the full-featured option that automatically adjusts speed while maintaining distance from the vehicle ahead and steers the wheel is still not available due to domestic certification issues. This is something I found quite disappointing.
While it may be reasonable to overlook the absence of autonomous driving features in sports cars like the 911 or 718, the inability to use this feature in the Panamera, which is designed for comfortable long-distance driving, is a different matter.
But still, it’s Porsche, so you have to grip the wheel tightly and floor the accelerator, don’t you? Haha!
The engine and exhaust sounds that resonate in Sports mode or Sports Plus mode are truly exhilarating!
Driving while looking at the digitalized five-circle cluster is quite enjoyable.
Additionally, the plug-in type electric motor battery not only charges itself in the E-CHARGE mode but also charges effectively through regenerative energy while driving spiritedly in Sports Plus mode.
Using the hybrid mode properly can significantly enhance fuel efficiency.
Due to the enhanced performance from the hybrid system, the standard large brakes also deliver substantial stopping power. While it would have been nice to choose the hybrid-exclusive caliper paint option in fluorescent color (acid green), I found that the black brake calipers matched the vehicle color beautifully.
While it doesn’t feature the elaborate three-stage folding performance found in the Turbo or GTS, it clearly differentiates itself from the standard Panamera.
The Panamera offers a sleek fastback design and excellent trunk space utilization!
I genuinely enjoyed the drive, so much so that I drove late into the night.
I wonder if one day, when I have a family and kids, I’ll seriously consider changing cars.
The price starts at 163.1 million won (approximately 123,000 USD).
(The test vehicle, including options, is priced at 208 million won (approximately 156,000 USD).)
* Test vehicle provided by SSCL Porsche Bundang-Pangyo Center