Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Overview

The second gen Porsche Panamera was introduced late in 2016, and in March 2017, the first of the plug-in hybrid variants arrived in the form of the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.

Currently, there are 5 PHEV Porsche Panamera variants on sale: Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive, Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid, and Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.

Executive models have a longer wheelbase, while Sport Turismo models have a shooting brake body style. Without these extra terms, the Porsche Panamera will come in its normal fastback sedan bodystyle.

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Exterior

For 2021, the entire Porsche Panamera hybrid range has been given a number of discreet enhancements. The rear has a full width taillight first seen on the 911, which Porsche calls a heckblende. Only the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid has the ‘standard’ front end – every other variant has a more aggressive front-end from ‘SportDesign’. This was previously an optional specification, but is standard across the higher variants now.

The side intakes of the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid are trimmed with a single strip of LED DRLs, while the Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid has dual LED strips. As for the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, it gets the fanciest lighting feature of them all: LED DRLs in the shape of a C modelled after the larger side intakes of the variant.

There are exterior options available as well. Exclusive Design adds darkened taillamp clusters with dynamic coming or leaving home animation, and there are three new wheel designs in 20 and 21-inches, as well as two new body colours called Cherry Metallic and Truffle Brown Metallic.

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Interior

All seats are nicely bolstered without being intrusive, and the edges are rounded nicely. The rear seats are still split down the middle, and there are amenities like aircond vents, storage, 2 USB outlets and cupholders.

Both front and rear occupants have a sunroof a piece, and there is also an option for a full bench seating at the rear for more family-oriented buyers. Finally, boot space is positively cavernous, though each PHEV Porsche Panamera has a shade less space here than their fully internal combustion counterparts.

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Features

Creature comforts come in the form of Porsche Communication Management that also feature voice control, Risk Radar for road sign and hazard information, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and other Connect services. The system is still, sadly, incompatible with Android Auto.

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Powertrain

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Driving Performance

The entire range of Porsche Panamera E-Hybrids are remarkable performers, especially at the pinnacle of the range. However, they are understandably not as agile as their fully fossil fueled counterparts due to the extra weight. Rather than attacking corners at a track, the hybrids are more well suited to the daily grind. 

There are 4 modes to choose from: E-Power, Hybrid Auto, Sport, and Sport Plus. More often than not, the PHEVs will be left in Hybrid Auto, but the occasional B-road in Sport Plus will also leave any driver with silly grins on their faces.
It is remarkable how a large, heavy car like the Porsche Panamera, especially with the heavier hybrid components, can be so agile and responsive.

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Ride Comfort

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Fuel Economy

Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid – Conclusion

Largely speaking, the two cars are identical except in their powertrain, but the Porsche Taycan is overwhelmingly more ‘cool’. It is the shiny new toy, after all. Speed freaks who want something from Porsche will look to the Porsche 911 first, and those who want practicality will turn to the Porsche Cayenne, who have PHEV in its range as well. As for those who want to totally move away from fossil fuels, there is the new Porsche Taycan.

The Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid, then, is overshadowed by the talent in the stable. However, it isn’t without purpose. We can conclude that the plug-in hybrid Porsche Panameras are for buyers who want the dynamism of a sedan, and its miserliness with fuel consumption, without the accompanying range anxiety that comes from a fully electric vehicle.