Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo (2017 – 2024) Review

Many think the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is a better looking car than the four-door saloon version. The estate model is certainly more practical, although an Audi RS6 Avant is a better load hauler. However, it’s arguably more of a grand tourer in the mould of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe or fellow German, the Mercedes-AMG GT 4 Door. Read on for our full Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo review.

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo covers an expansive brief, aiming to be both a luxury car and sports car, with a bit of estate car practicality thrown in for good measure.

In reality, it’s more of a shooting brake, as you won’t be able to fit a Chesterfield or chest of drawers in the back. By definition, though, it’s an estate; that much is obvious thanks to the longer roofline and more upright rear hatchback.

That tailgate cuts deeper into the bumper line than the standard Porsche Panamera’s, too, which is all the better for a pet dog to leap into, for example.

It would be best if Rover was on the small side, though, as the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo’s boot only gains 25 litres of space over the standard car with the rear seats in position, and 127 litres with them down.

Practicalities aside, this car is as much about its looks as anything else.

It has taken a while for the Porsche Panamera’s style to work, but in this second-generation model they’ve matured to acceptability.

That’s particulalry true of the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, which survived in this generation up to 2024. It has few rivals, aside from maybe the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake, and stands out now as a strong used car option.

The range, unsurprisingly, closely follows that of its conventional relation, with a few omissions.

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo line-up does without the base, rear-wheel-drive model, instead starting off with the Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo.

There’s no Executive long-wheelbase version either, which is a shame, as that would give the practicality a bit of a boost. 

The entry-level Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo comes with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine, enough for 330PS and the same 5.5 second 0-62mph time of the regular Porsche Panamera 4.

Choose the Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo and the V6 drops to 2.9 litres in capacity, but gains an additional turbocharged 110PS for a 440PS output.

Should those prove too tardy, then the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo adds the firm’s turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 with 550PS, and with it the ability to reach 62mph in just 3.8 seconds.

In addition to the conventional petrol models – and in lieu of a diesel offering – there’s a pair of hybrid choices. You can have a plug-in E-Hybrid, mated to either the 2.9-litre V6 in the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, or the Turbo’s 4.0-litre V8.

The battery and electric motor-boosted Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo feels like a bolt of lightning has been added to the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo for a combined output of 680PS.

Both hybrids offer the opportunity to drive on electricity alone, although you’ll need a full charge and a relatively short route if you want a genuinely clear conscience on your commute to the city.  

All Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo cars use an eight-speed PDK automatic transmission and all do a fine job of engaging enthusiastic drivers.

That it’s an accomplished GT car adds to its credentials. It might be more singular in purpose than most luxury car rivals, but neither is it overly compromised because of that.

Fancy a second opinion? Read heycar’s Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo review here.

The ‘all-things-for-everyone’ goal of the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo might seem overly-ambitious, but in reality it’s difficult to argue against.

From the base model upwards, the car provides a genuinely entertaining driving experience, yet does a convincing job as a luxury GT at the same time.

Something this large and heavy shouldn’t be so precise and agile. Yet, with quick, accurate steering and a supple, controlled ride, it is as delightful on a winding road as it is steadfastly resolute on a fast, straight one.

That’s as standard, while options such as rear-wheel steering or adaptive air-suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management enhance its ability to thrill further.

Cars with Sport Chrono drop the 0-62mph time via launch control and have access to the drive modes via a steering-wheel mounted dial. With that comes a push-to-pass button dubbed Sport Response, which primes the model’s systems for 20 seconds to enable immediate, stress-free overtakes.

The hybrids don’t ride with quite the suppleness of their conventionally powered relations, while the odd knock from the automatic transmission betrays the juggling of power sources.

Grip runs out a little bit quicker too, as the sheer weight of the hybrids comes into play.

In reality, though, you’ll need to be going very fast indeed in any Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo to get anywhere near breaching the huge levels of traction and grip on offer.

Even the ‘slowest’ – and we’re talking relatively here – Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo feels quick, which is underlined by the 330PS variant’s 5.5-second 0-62mph time and 160mph top speed.

Move up the range and it gets quicker still, with the twin turbocharged 2.9-litre Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo having an output of 440PS, adding 20mph to the potential top speed and shaving 1.1 seconds off the 0-62mph time, at 4.4 seconds.

In both models, the mid-range acceleration is impressive, too. The powerful engines, the gearbox’s plentiful ratios and quick-witted shifting, as well as that four-wheel drive traction, mask the not insubstantial bulk.

It’s unlikely you’ll notice the difference over its hatchback saloon relation while driving, with the exception of the view out of the back window.

Taking performance further still is the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo, which adds a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, and supercar pace. The power jumps to 550PS, although it’s the 770Nm of torque that’s the real gain, providing other-worldly pace.

That model used to be the mightiest Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo you could buy, but the firm’s path to electrification sees that position taken by the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.

It adds batteries and an electric motor into the equation, the combination creating an output of 680PS and 850Nm of torque.

All that is enough to allow it to reach 62mph in 3.4 seconds, backed by the ability to travel 30 miles on electricity alone on a full charge.

If you want to keep your accountant happy, but don’t quite need the time-warp pace – or hefty flagship purchase cost – the other plug-in option is the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.

It brings the same battery-only range and low emissions, but costs less to own and run. You’ll lose the eye-widening pace of the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, but it’s quick enough with a 4.6-second 0-62mph time.

All Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo models come with the firm’s Stability Management system that includes ABS brakes, traction control, standard four-wheel drive and incredible stopping power. 

Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP) is included with impact protection elements in the doors, and side airbags integrated into the bolster of each front seat.

It’s a shame that Porsche left side airbags in the outer rear seats on the options list, but there are the usual driver and passenger front airbags, as well as a full-length curtain airbag, with a knee airbag for the driver and front passenger too. 

You get an active bonnet to help protect pedestrians, while a pair of Isofix child seat mounts are standard on the rear outer seats, with a third possible option in the front passenger seat.

Various parking aids were offered as options, as were Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Porsche's InnoDrive (including Adaptive Cruise Control), a head-up display and Night View Assist.

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo might not be the first car that springs to mind when considering a tow vehicle, but the company quotes an unbraked towing capacity of up to 750kg.

With a braked trailer, this model can haul a trailer of up to 2200kg, so it’s a useful tow vehicle.

It might be an estate, but the overall figures for boot capacity are 520 litres with the seats up, and 1390 litres with them folded.

That is around the capacity offered by Audi’s A7 Sportback, which does without the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo’s more overtly practical rear-end styling.

Choose the plug-in hybrid versions and those gains drop back by about 90 litres. The marginal increase in load space usefulness is arguably irrelevant, then, not least because buyers in this area of the market usually have access to other vehicles.

A Porsche Cayenne is more spacious, so the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo makes a strong case for itself stylistically, inside and out.

The seats are extremely supportive up front, as they are on the two outer seats in the back. The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo was the first model in the range to offer the ability to carry three passengers in the rear, but it would be a cruel person who expected anyone to use the middle one for all but the briefest of trips.

That middle seat feels very much like an afterthought, and there is a concessionary seatbelt spanning the high perch that separates the two proper rear seats.

With foot space encroached on massively by the sizeable transmission tunnel, even Porsche concedes this car is a 4+1 seater, rather than a proper five-seat vehicle.

Comfort for four, then, is good, plus there was the option to have heated, ventilated and massaging seats if you’re after more comfort.

The optional equipment list was extensive, with the likes of rear-seat entertainment available, although modern essentials such as climate control, sat-nav, DAB and Bluetooth mobile phone connection were all standard, thankfully.

The material quality is exceptional, with the Porsche Panamera introducing a new interior design for the firm. Not only does the cabin look great, it works well.

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo features plenty of familiar elements, with the cabin beautifully finished, the controls a mix of haptic touch buttons on the centre console and a wide configurable touchscreen above it.

The instruments mix a conventional rev counter and digital screens. These, like the centre one, are able to offer anything from driver data to sat-nav, information and entertainment details.

The infotainment in the Porsche Panamera 4 entry model comprises Porsche Communication Management with an online navigation module, mobile phone connection, voice control and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with supplementary screen to the right of the instruments displaying a variety of configurable functions. 

All come with Apple CarPlay as standard – Porsche does not fit Android Auto as it says its customers prefer Apple devices. But there’s DAB radio and a 10-speaker system, Bluetooth connection and a pair of USB sockets in the rear compartment.

As the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is no longer on sale new, you will have to look to the used market to net one.

If you want a recent model, you’ll be looking at spending around £92,000 for a V6 hybrid version with as little as 5000 miles under its wheels that’s less than one year old.

A three-year-old version of the same model with 30,000 miles on the clock sees the price drop to around £60,000.

Should you prefer a petrol-only model, the 4.0 GTS model from 2020 with 30,000 miles will be in the £70,000 bracket, while a V6 is more affordable at £47,500.

Choose an early Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo with 70,000 miles from 2017, and you’ll pay broadly £40,000 for a V6 model.

There is quite a selection of models to pick from, but the most popular versions include the Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo with the V6 petrol motor.

It claims combined economy of 35.8mpg and delivers a real-world 30mpg.

To improve on that, you will need to look for a hybrid model that offers a claimed 113mpg and 31 miles of EV driving range. In daily driving, you can reckon on around 20 miles of battery range and 50mpg, which is very good for this size and type of car.

The hybrid is also the best when it comes to emissions, offering as little as 56g/km, although all Porsche Panamera Sport Turismos attract the flat rate of £190 per annum for road tax.

However, the hybrid models do get a £10 discount.

Getting insurance won’t be cheap whichever version you choose, as all versions sit in groups 49 to 50 (out of 50). 

It’s the same story with servicing, thanks to high labour rates at dealers. But at least the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo has earned a solid record for reliability that should mean you’re only paying for regular upkeep of the car.

Conventional trim levels were not really offered for the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo. What you got instead were different amounts of standard equipment based on the model you chose within the range.

This means the Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo has an eight-speed DSG automatic gearbox, 19-inch alloy wheels, DAB, partial leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, Park Assist, Cruise Control and heated, electrically adjusted comfort seats.

The Porsche Panamera 4 S Sport Turismo gains full leather upholstery, while the Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Turismo models adds 20-inch alloy wheels, Sport Chrono Plus, electrically adjusted sports seats, adaptive air-suspension, and unique exterior styling.

With the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, you get the Sport Chrono package with E-Drive, and adaptive air-suspension.

For the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo, you have 20-inch alloy wheels, 14-way powered, heated front seats with memory package, heated rear seats and a BOSE Surround sound stereo.

At the top of the heap sits the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo with its Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC Sport) including Porsche Torque vectoring Plus, 21-inch alloys, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB).