Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo hybrid review
While not as practical as a Tesla Model S, the Porsche Panamera hybrid is just as spectacular to drive and even better inside
Pros
- Great to drive
- Lavish yet practical inside
- Efficient and high-performance
Cons
- Expensive to buy
- Expensive options
- Not much more practical
| Car type | Electric range | Fuel economy | CO2 emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in hybrid | 31-35 miles | 94-135mpg | 46-69g/km |
It’s not easy to figure out exactly where the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo hybrid – a 'shooting brake' estate version of the Porsche Panamera hybrid hatchback – fits into the market. It competes with everything from pure-electric performance SUVs like the Jaguar I-Pace, to plug-in hybrids such as the Volvo V90 Recharge and even Porsche’s own Cayenne hybrid SUV. It can call the Tesla Model S a competitor, too.
The Panamera hybrid has an official range in pure-electric mode of 31 to 35 miles, and our time in the hatchback version suggests that the upper end of this range is achievable. The petrol engine needn't kick in until you're going 87mph.
Plug the Panamera hybrid into a standard, domestic three-pin socket and it’ll charge in just over six hours, while a dedicated charger will do the same in around five hours (by our estimation). You can pay extra to increase the charging speed from 3.6 to 7.2kW, which means a home wallbox will deliver a full charge in around two to three hours.
Like the hatchback Panamera hybrid, the Panamera Sport Turismo plug-in comes in three flavours. The entry-level 4 E-Hybrid makes 456bhp from its 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine and 134bhp electric motor combination. It has a 0-62mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 174mph. This is the most efficient of the trio, with official CO2 emissions from 46g/km and fuel economy ranging from 123 to 128mpg.
The 4S E-Hybrid in our pictures puts out 552bhp in total. It also uses a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6, but here the petrol engine makes 434bhp, while the electric motor is the same 134bhp unit from the 4 E-Hybrid. Maximum torque is 750Nm, acceleration from 0-62mph takes 3.7 seconds and top speed is 182mph. Fuel economy in this case ranges from 101 to 128mpg, while CO2 emissions are between 49 and 52g/km.
The Turbo S E-Hybrid produces 690bhp, thanks to the pairing of a twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine with the same 134bhp electric motor used by the 4 and 4S. That gives the range-topper a 0-62mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed just shy of 200mph. Fuel consumption for the Turbo S stands at 135mpg according to official testing, which also returned CO2 emissions of 63-69g/km.
The biggest practicality criticism is that there’s no dedicated space to store your charging cable, so you’re left with a chunky bag taking up much of the boot floor. It’s also disappointing that driver aids – including lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control – are all pricey optional extras. Otherwise, the Sport Turismo boasts a slightly larger boot than the hatchback – 418 litres versus 403.
Still, the Panamera is a stunning car to sit in, live with and drive, and it appears to master every genre from eco-commuter to supercar, via luxury GT and family estate. With that many personas wrapped up in such a great-looking body, you could almost argue that the hybrid Panamera Sport Turismo models are good value. For more on the Panamera Sport Turismo hybrid, read on for the rest of our in-depth review...
