Automotive fans like to give you foolish excuses why a sure automobile is not proper for them, nitpicking away as a result of the right automobile for his or her wants allegedly does not exist. It is even worse once they’re looking for a performance-oriented car, particularly on the greater finish of the worth spectrum. “I desire a sports activities automobile however none of them are sensible sufficient,” they complain. “I hate all SUVs, even the really sporty ones,” they groan. “Sedans are all so boring,” they sigh. “These efficiency fashions are nice, however they’re all too sporty,” they exclaim. It is exhausting.
There’s a easy reply, although. For those who’re an individual of means who wants a household automobile that may nonetheless get your coronary heart racing, I am right here to inform you that it’s best to simply shut up and purchase the redesigned Porsche Panamera GTS, now in its third era of existence. There are mainly no different vehicles on sale with the Panamera GTS’ mixture of driver enjoyment and real practicality and dailyability, and it does all of it with out being boring.
Full disclosure: Porsche gave me a Euro-spec 2025 Panamera GTS with a full tank of gasoline and let me do as I please with it for about 24 hours.
Nonetheless acquired a V8 with no hybrid help
Ever since Porsche introduced the GTS moniker again in 2010 the trim ranges have been vastly profitable, providing a superb mixture of efficiency and customary options at an inexpensive (for Porsche) value on the whole lot from the 911 and 718 to Macan and Cayenne. Normally the GTS trims are smack-dab in the midst of the lineups, coming with the sportiest powertrain and chassis choices however with out the extreme energy of one thing like a Turbo. The brand new Panamera GTS does not stray from that formulation, however it’s even simpler to suggest now that the Panamera lineup is so hybrid-heavy.
If you’d like a V8 that does not have any electrification added on, the GTS is the one mannequin within the Panamera lineup you will need to have a look at. The bottom Panamera has a turbocharged 2.9-liter V6, and whereas the Turbo and Turbo S each have V8s, they’re additionally E-Hybrids which can be outfitted with a plug-in-hybrid system. However the Panamera GTS makes use of the identical twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 because the Turbos (the identical one as earlier than), with no kind of hybrid help, and it’s superb.
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The GTS’ V8 places out 493 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque, making it extra highly effective than a 911 Carrera S, and the engine redlines at a decent 6,800 rpm. That torque is shipped to all 4 wheels by means of Porsche’s tried-and-true 8-speed dual-clutch PDK computerized, which is as good as ever. Porsche says the GTS will hit 60 mph in simply 3.6 seconds when utilizing launch management, which is simple to have interaction, grips instantly and gut-punches me with acceleration drive. In actual life it is certainly faster than Porsche’s declare, and the GTS retains pulling with vigor as soon as previous the 60-mph mark. Whereas in-gear acceleration shouldn’t be fairly as brutally fast as launch management is, utilizing the Sport Response button to routinely drop a couple of gears and lift the revs makes freeway passing maneuvers a delight. The engine feels simply highly effective sufficient to be genuinely quick with out being an excessive amount of for the highway, particularly in terms of hitting the canyons, and the usual sport exhaust sounds good, emitting good barks and bangs however by no means being completely obnoxious. I like the darkish bronze tailpipes, too.
Oodles of grip
Regardless of weighing 4,639 kilos, the Panamera GTS feels fairly mild on its ft. As typical, Porsche has dialed in a number of the finest steering of any trendy automobile, each when it comes to suggestions and directness, and the accessible rear-axle steering is unquestionably value the additional $1,350 for the extra stability and agility it provides. 21-inch center-lock wheels are customary (although you may get varied regular five-lug wheels as 20s or 21s), and this take a look at automobile is fitted with the no-cost non-compulsory summer season tires, on this case Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S rubber. Is that overkill for an enormous sedan? Possibly, however pushed laborious on Angeles Crest the GTS sticks like hell and rockets out of corners with aplomb. After a couple of minutes of zipping by means of the mountains, I’ve forgotten I’ve acquired an additional set of doorways and seats behind me. Commonplace Porsche Torque Vectoring+ variably distributes torque to the rear wheels, and it is also acquired an digital rear differential for additional cornering prowess. There is no trace of understeer, and the GTS is completely satisfied to let the tail shimmy a bit even with all the soundness management capabilities left on.
I want you might get the flamboyant Energetic Trip suspension on the GTS, however it’s unique to hybrid Panameras. That system has modes that counteract pitch and roll, it routinely raises up when the doorways are open, and it rides higher than the GTS’ setup does. That is not to say the Panamera GTS rides badly although, the truth is it is fairly the other. Positive, with wheels this huge and tires this sticky Los Angeles’ potholes and tough pavement do ship some shockwaves bristling up my backbone, however in most conditions the Panamera feels composed and pliant, definitely within the league of different luxurious sedans. The GTS’ adaptive air suspension has the automobile sit virtually half an inch decrease than different Panameras, and it has model-specific rear anti-roll bars and chassis tuning. Even when driving calmly round city within the comfiest drive mode, the Panamera continues to be a fascinating expertise.
Sure, it is acquired extra screens
Although it is practically an identical in measurement to the outgoing era and has a fairly evolutionary design total, I do assume the third-gen Panamera is a great-looking automobile, with extra straight traces and crisper surfacing than the second-gen mannequin and a silhouette that is a far cry from the first-gen Panamera’s hunchback. Its wide-open toothy mouth of a entrance finish is off-putting to some, however the GTS’ customary Sport Design bumpers are cooler than what you get on lesser Panameras. It actually helps that my take a look at automobile is slathered in Oak Inexperienced Metallic Neo paint, value each little bit of its $2,980 price ticket. And I like the energetic rear spoiler, which has a transformer-like motion the place it splits in half because it rises as much as improve the floor space.
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The doorways slam shut with a satisfying thud, and the brand new Panamera’s cabin will really feel acquainted to anybody who drove the earlier mannequin or has had seat time within the Cayenne or Taycan. It is much more streamlined and has fewer buttons than earlier than, and Porsche has caught with the previous mannequin’s air vents which can be adjusted by means of the ten.9-inch touchscreen. 5 steel toggle switches and a bunch of capacitive-touch buttons are discovered within the taller middle console for a number of the most used local weather capabilities, no less than. And purists will certainly decry the lack of the previous analog tachometer in favor of the brand new 12.6-inch curved gauge cluster show.
The screens are good, although
I do not thoughts the screen-forward inside, although. The brand new infotainment system is very easy to make use of and the incredible gauge display screen is properly configurable. My good friend appreciated the non-compulsory $1,630 passenger display screen in entrance of him, particularly its efficiency knowledge web page that exhibits issues like g-forces and pace, and once you go for four-zone local weather management rear-seat passengers additionally get a management display screen. Bigger cupholders and larger storage cubbies are welcome, and the adaptive sport seats are as supportive as ever. Porsche continues to make a number of the biggest steering wheels available on the market, too. One other factor purists will most likely hate however I like is the shifter placement — as a substitute of taking over a bunch of middle console area, it is now a small toggle swap simply to the suitable of the steering wheel. A lot better.
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Whereas the Panamera’s inside appears fairly boring in simply the usual black, no less than the GTS’ Race-Tex suede upholstery will get a cool sample to it, and the whole lot feels prime quality and nicely put-together. I might positively spring for one of many colourful leather-based upgrades, and go for one of many wooden choices for the skinny trim items alongside the sprint, console and doorways — a no-cost possibility! The again seat continues to be spacious and cozy, and though cargo area is a bit down over the past mannequin, the hatchback can match an excellent deal extra stuff than a Taycan’s conventional trunk.
It is expensive, however it’s a Porsche
Okay, yeah, the Panamera GTS is dear, beginning at $159,250 together with vacation spot for the 2026 mannequin yr. However you are the one who clicked on a Porsche overview, you should have no sticker shock lately. That MSRP makes it round $50k pricier than a base Panamera, however it’s practically $40k lower than a Turbo E-Hybrid (and virtually $75k lower than the Turbo S E-Hybrid), so perhaps it is really a cut price? In fact, it is very straightforward for the GTS’ value to skyrocket once you begin including choices, however no less than the GTS already comes with mainly the entire sporty stuff you’d need to add.
There aren’t many different vehicles to match the Panamera in opposition to, both. The BMW 8 Collection Gran Coupe and Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door each provide V8 engines nonetheless, however each are previous as hell and never as comfy or good to drive because the Porsche. I am certain a few of you’ll make an argument for getting a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing or a BMW M3, however I need you to get a grip. Personally I might slightly have a Taycan GTS, which begins at $151,050, however I do know that not everybody is able to go electrical.
For those who’ve acquired the cash and desire a each day driver that seems like a sports activities automobile however continues to be very sensible, with out being an SUV or having every other un-cool attributes, you have simply acquired to purchase the brand new Porsche Panamera GTS. You would possibly nonetheless discover some issues to complain about, or explanation why you say it isn’t really good, however that does not matter. The Panamera GTS is what you need, and what you want.
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