2025 Porsche Panamera Review: Speaks to You
About this episode
The 2025 Porsche Panamera GTS is explored in detail, showcasing its evolution and performance. Tom shares his experience driving this third-generation model, highlighting its striking design, luxurious interior, and powerful 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 493 horsepower. The discussion covers the car's handling dynamics, including rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension, making it a thrilling yet practical choice for enthusiasts. Insights into Porsche's shift towards four-door models and the Panamera's place in the luxury market add depth to the review.
Porsche was no stranger to large, grand tourers when the company showed off the 989 concept. Still, that saloon was just one of a string of sedan-based concepts, or custom pieces from the company. It wasn’t until Porsche pushed the Panamera into production that Porsche fans saw easier access to the rear seat of a sedan. Panamera formally joined the Porsche family in 2009 and has been successful enough to enter three generations. This third-gen Panamera joined the lineup in 2024 and brought along a series of updates. While the shell itself isn’t dimensionally a departure from the past, the styling is tweaked inside and out.
On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek executive editor Tom Murphy hops behind the wheel of the 2025 Porsche Panamera and puts it through its paces. Murphy takes you on a guided tour of the 2025 Porsche Panamera, highlighting some of his favorite features. Later, Murphy takes you along for a live drive review of the third-generation Porsche Panamera. Adding to these segments, Murphy chats with host Wesley Wren about the 2025 Porsche Panamera, its position in the sales charts, and what it represents for the company. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the 2025 Porsche Panamera special.
third generation Panamera
"This third generation Panamera launched in late 2023, followed by the Panamera 4 and 4 SE Hybrid in mid 2024..."
The third generation of the Panamera is the latest version of this luxury car, which has been updated with new features and improvements. It started being sold in late 2023.
The third generation of the Porsche Panamera represents significant updates in design, technology, and performance compared to previous generations. It was launched in late 2023 and includes various models catering to different performance and efficiency needs.
911 styling cues
"the design team has done a great job evolving the Pan Amara to carry over some of the 911 styling cues while maximizing the comfort and space."
911 styling cues are design features that make a car look like a Porsche 911. The Panamera has some of these features to make it look sporty and stylish.
911 styling cues refer to design elements that are characteristic of the Porsche 911, such as its sleek lines and distinctive headlights. The Panamera incorporates these features to create a visual connection between the two models.
Porsche 911
"... evolving the Pan Amara to carry over some of the 911 styling cues while maximizing the comfort and sp..."
The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that looks really cool and drives fast. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many for how fun it is to drive and its stylish design.
The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car known for its distinctive design, rear-engine layout, and exceptional performance. Since its introduction in 1964, it has become a symbol of automotive excellence, often discussed for its blend of luxury and driving dynamics.
power dome hood
"You've got the power dome hood that cascades to a fairly tall but simple grille that is sporty and designed to optimize cooling."
A power dome hood is a part of the car's hood that sticks up a bit, making the car look more powerful and sporty. It also helps with engine cooling.
A power dome hood is a raised section of the hood that enhances the car's aggressive appearance and can also provide additional clearance for the engine. This design element is often used in performance vehicles.
summer tires
"These are summer tires from Continental and we'll start at the back."
Summer tires are special tires made for warm weather. They help the car grip the road better when it's hot outside, but they shouldn't be used when it's cold or snowy.
Summer tires are designed for optimal performance in warm weather conditions, providing better grip and handling compared to all-season or winter tires. They are not suitable for cold or icy conditions.
ZR21XL tires
"We are looking at 325-30 ZR21XLs and at the front 275-35 ZR21."
ZR21XL tires are special tires that can handle high speeds and carry more weight. They're used on performance cars to help them drive better.
ZR21XL tires are high-performance tires designed for sports cars and luxury vehicles, with a specific size and load rating. The 'ZR' indicates a speed rating suitable for high speeds, while 'XL' denotes extra load capacity.
bolstering
"you can't help but notice the bolstering. These are like second row bucket seats and of course there are two of them."
Bolstering is extra padding on the sides of car seats that helps hold you in place when you're driving fast. It makes the seats more comfortable and supportive.
Bolstering refers to the additional support in the sides of a car seat, designed to keep passengers securely in place during cornering and provide comfort. It's common in performance-oriented vehicles.
infotainment
"The infotainment works well and I have zero complaints about ergonomics."
Infotainment is the system in the car that gives you music, navigation, and other information. It helps keep you entertained and informed while driving.
Infotainment refers to the integrated system that provides entertainment and information to the driver and passengers, including navigation, audio, and connectivity features.
horsepower
"And if you want to pay even more for Panamera you can get the 670 horsepower..."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for engine power. In this context, the Panamera has 670 horsepower, indicating its high performance capabilities.
Porsche Macan
"Here we've evolved not only with the Pan Amara but also the four-door Makon SUV..."
The Porsche Macan is a smaller SUV that combines luxury and sportiness, making it a great option for people who want a stylish and fun-to-drive vehicle.
The Porsche Macan is a compact luxury SUV that offers sporty performance and a high-quality interior, appealing to those looking for a smaller SUV with Porsche's signature driving dynamics.
Porsche Taycan
"the four-door Cayenne, the four-door Taycan..."
The Porsche Taycan is a high-performance electric car that combines luxury and speed, showcasing Porsche's move into electric vehicles.
The Porsche Taycan is an all-electric luxury sports sedan that delivers high performance and advanced technology, representing Porsche's shift towards electric mobility.
Porsche Cayenne
"... but also the four-door Makon SUV, the four-door Cayenne, the four-door Taycan. Porsche is completely rei..."
BMW i7
"it's just a little bit behind BMW with the 7 Series sedan and the i7..."
The BMW i7 is an electric version of the 7 Series car. It has all the luxury features but runs on electricity instead of gas.
The BMW i7 is the electric version of the 7 Series, offering luxury and performance with zero emissions. It represents BMW's commitment to electric mobility.
BMW 7 Series
"it's just a little bit behind BMW with the 7 Series sedan and the i7..."
The BMW 7 Series is a high-end car that is very comfortable and has lots of fancy features. It's designed for people who want a luxurious driving experience.
The BMW 7 Series is a luxury sedan known for its performance, comfort, and advanced technology. It competes in the upper luxury segment against other high-end vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz Sclass
"Now that's just a little bit behind BMW with the 7 Series sedan and the i7 and it's just a little bit behind the Mercedes EQS and the S-Class so battery electric and ice vehicles in tandem there and Porsche is just a little bit behind these highest volume sellers."
Mercedes-Benz EQS
"...7 and it's just a little bit behind the Mercedes EQS and the S-Class so battery electric and ice vehic..."
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a fancy electric car that offers a lot of comfort and high-tech features. It's part of a new wave of cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline, making it more environmentally friendly.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is the luxury brand's flagship electric sedan, representing a significant step in their transition to electric vehicles. It combines cutting-edge technology, impressive range, and high-end features, making it a key player in the luxury electric car market.
4 liter twin turbo V8
"Under the hood is a 4 liter twin turbo V8 that churns out 493 horsepower..."
This is a type of car engine that has eight cylinders and two turbochargers, which help it produce a lot of power while still being efficient.
A 4 liter twin turbo V8 engine refers to an engine configuration with eight cylinders arranged in a V shape, with two turbochargers to increase power output. This setup enhances performance and efficiency.
8-speed PDK
"it is mated to the same 8-speed PDK"
PDK is a special type of automatic transmission used by Porsche that helps the car change gears quickly and smoothly. An 8-speed means it has eight different gears to choose from.
PDK stands for Porsche Doppelkupplung, which is a dual-clutch transmission that allows for faster gear shifts and improved performance. An 8-speed PDK means the car has eight gears for optimal power delivery.
dual clutch transmission
"dual clutch transmission offered across the Pan Amara range. Here, let's go ahead and start the car."
A dual clutch transmission is a type of automatic transmission that can change gears very quickly, making the car feel more responsive and sporty.
A dual clutch transmission (DCT) uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets, allowing for faster gear shifts and improved performance compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
mild hybrid
"this does have, this is a mild hybrid so depending on how much juice is in here..."
A mild hybrid is a car that has both a regular engine and a small electric motor to help it use less gas, but it can't run on electricity alone.
A mild hybrid vehicle uses both a traditional internal combustion engine and an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency, but it cannot drive solely on electric power like a full hybrid.
stop-start system
"And now I believe the stop-start system does not work when you're in Sport Mode or when you're in Normal Mode and you accelerate from a standstill."
A stop-start system helps save gas by turning off the engine when you're not moving, like at a stoplight. It turns the engine back on when you press the gas pedal again.
A stop-start system automatically turns off the engine when the vehicle is stationary to save fuel and reduce emissions. It restarts the engine when the driver releases the brake or accelerates, making it more efficient in urban driving conditions.
Sport Mode
"And now I believe the stop-start system does not work when you're in Sport Mode or when you're in Normal Mode and you accelerate from a standstill."
Sport Mode is a setting in some cars that makes them drive faster and respond better. It changes how the car behaves to give you a sportier feel while driving.
Sport Mode is a driving setting that enhances the vehicle's performance by adjusting throttle response, transmission shift points, and sometimes suspension settings for a more dynamic driving experience.
paddle shifters
"And I gotta tell you, the paddle shifters with this PDK."
Paddle shifters are buttons or levers behind the steering wheel that let you change gears in a car without using a clutch. They make it easier to control how fast you go.
Paddle shifters are levers located behind the steering wheel that allow the driver to manually shift gears in an automatic transmission. This feature provides more control over gear selection and can enhance the driving experience.
Porsche
"I've driven a lot of six cylinder Porsches and loved them as well. Wasn't sure that I ever needed V8 power in a Porsche, but heck, in this it's just fantastic."
Porsche is a famous car brand from Germany that makes fast and sporty cars. They're known for their high performance and luxury features.
Porsche is a renowned German automotive manufacturer known for its high-performance sports cars, including the iconic Porsche 911. The brand is synonymous with quality engineering and driving pleasure.
Autobahn
"...toodle around town or tear it up on the Autobahn, the engine's well suited for all of it."
The Autobahn is a famous highway in Germany where cars can drive very fast, sometimes with no speed limits. It's known for being safe and well-maintained for high-speed driving.
The Autobahn is a network of high-speed highways in Germany known for having sections without speed limits. It is famous for allowing drivers to experience high-speed driving legally and safely.
Porsche Panamera
"...d for all of it. Now, dynamically, what did this Panamera do that made it still have the sporting feel you'..."
The Porsche Panamera is a big, luxury car that can carry more people and stuff than a typical sports car. It still drives really well, like a sports car, but is designed for comfort and everyday use.
The Porsche Panamera is a luxury four-door sedan that combines the performance characteristics of a sports car with the comfort and practicality of a family vehicle. It is often discussed for its ability to deliver a thrilling driving experience while still providing ample space and luxury features.
adaptive air suspension
"You got the adaptive air suspension that is kind of fighting back some of that proclivity to roll..."
Adaptive air suspension is a special system that can change how the car rides. It makes the ride smoother or firmer depending on the road and how you're driving.
Adaptive air suspension is a type of suspension system that adjusts the vehicle's ride height and firmness based on driving conditions. It enhances comfort and handling by adapting to the road surface.
Nissan Maxima
"I've always loved sport stands. I miss my 1996 Nissan Maxima. I've loved my Mazda sixes that I've owned."
The Nissan Maxima is a large car that offers a sporty feel and comfortable ride. The 1996 version is known for being fun to drive while still being practical.
The Nissan Maxima is a full-size sedan known for its sporty performance and upscale features. The 1996 model is part of the fourth generation, which was characterized by a more powerful engine and improved handling.
Mazda6
"I've always loved sport stands. I miss my 1996 Nissan Maxima. I've loved my Mazda sixes that I've owned."
The Mazda6 is a mid-size car that is known for being stylish and fun to drive. It's a good option for people who need a practical car but still want something sporty.
The Mazda6 is a mid-size sedan known for its stylish design, engaging driving dynamics, and practicality. It often features a range of efficient engines and a well-appointed interior, making it a popular choice among family sedans.
Unimog
"I myself would take a Unimog and then go over places where only few can."
The Unimog is a tough vehicle made by Mercedes-Benz that can go almost anywhere off-road. It's great for driving in rough conditions and is used for many different jobs.
The Unimog is a versatile off-road vehicle produced by Mercedes-Benz, known for its exceptional off-road capabilities and rugged design. It's often used in agriculture, construction, and military applications.
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