2018 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

The Panamera Sport Turismo stands out as Porsche's very first station wagon. Don't let the term "wagon" fool you, though. The Sport Turismo boasts a sexy design and all the power and handling you expect from a Porsche.

Buyers who don't like the idea of a Porsche wagon can also get the Panamera as a sedan with a fastback-like roof line with either a short or a long wheelbase.

Overview

Visually, the Panamera Sport Turismo is instantly recognizable as a Porsche thanks to stretched headlights similar to the ones that equip its stablemates, wide air vents in the bottom part of the front bumper, and a long, plunging hood.

The wide stance and the sloping roof line add a muscular touch to the look. In enthusiast-friendly terms, it's more of a shooting brake than a traditional station wagon.

Life aboard

Slip behind the wheel and you'll swear you're in a sporty coupe. The driver sits low, and the front seats are separated by a tall, sloping center console. The instrument cluster consists of an analog tachometer flanked by a pair of configurable screens shaped like gauges.

The dashboard features a high-resolution screen that displays the infotainment system, which is called Porsche Communication Manager (PCM). It groups the car's audio, navigation, and communication functions into a single, easy-to-use interface. Bluetooth connectivity and USB ports come standard.

In navigation mode, PCM can show routes in either 2D or 3D in order to give the driver an idea of what terrain variation he or she will encounter during the trip. The system also has a split-screen mode, making it access to get a map and a list of directions at the same time.

A variety of trim materials are offered, including real wood, aluminum, and carbon fiber. You can also work with Porsche to build a custom, one-of-a-kind car.

Porsche claims the Panamera is a 2+2, meaning it offers space for just four passengers. Cargo capacity checks in at 18.6 with a full load of passengers on-board, and 49 with the rear seats folded flat.

Panamera 4

Porsche doesn't offer a rear-wheel drive Sport Turismo; all-wheel drive is the only configuration offered. All variants come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The base Panamera 4 is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 330 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. It shifts through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Panamera 4 hits 60 mph from a stop in 5.2 seconds. Fuel economy checks in at 23 mpg in a combined cycle.

Panamera 4S

The 4S is the next level up in the Panamera lineup. It receives a 2.9-liter V6 that belts out 440 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. The sprint to from zero to 60 mph takes 4.2 seconds, and it can go on to a top speed of 179 mph.

Panamera Turbo

The Turbo is the fastest, most powerful Panamera you can buy without an electric motor. Its 4.0-liter V8 provides 550 horsepower and 567 pound-feet of torque.

You can expect to hit 60 mph from a stop in 3.6 seconds, which is faster than some variants of the 911. City and highway mileage check in at 18 and 25, respectively.

Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid

Porsche is putting a huge focus on electrification. The 4 E-Hybrid's drivetrain is made up of the aforementioned 2.9-liter V6 whose output has been lowered to 330 horsepower, and a 136-horse electric motor. The two power sources generate 462 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It hits 60 mph from a stop in 4.4 seconds.

Finally, the Turbo S E-Hybrid is the range-topping variant of the Panamera Sport Turismo lineup. By linking its 4.0-liter V8 to an electric motor, Porsche has developed a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that provides 680 horsepower and 626 pound-feet of torque. That's enough for a 3.2-second zero-to-60 sprint.

Note both hybrid models offer less trunk space than the non-hybrid variants. They boast 15 cubes with the rear seats left up, and 45.7 cubes when they're folded down.

Standard and optional equipment

The base Panamera comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, a steel suspension, a tire repair kit, black brake calipers, an electric parking brake, a panoramic roof, rain-sensing wipers, an automatic rear hatch, heated door mirrors, an adaptive rear spoiler, stainless steel exhaust pipes, navigation, Apple CarPlay compatibility, a 10-speaker sound system, a rear-view camera, LED headlights, keyless start, and cruise control.

Porsche offers the Panamera with a mile-long list of options that includes everything from custom paint colors to a rear wiper. It includes (but is by no means limited to) a wide array of alloy wheels -- including a few that can be painted --, soft-close doors, high gloss black trim, thermally- and noise-insulated class, a surround-view camera, tinted tail lamps, rear-wheel steering, ceramic brakes, Porsche's ubiquitous Sport Chrono package, a leather pouch for the key, ambient lighting, and four-zone climate control. Note that some of these features are standard on more expensive models.

Occupant safety

The Panamera comes equipped with eight airbags, including dual front, front and rear side-impact and curtain airbags. Knee airbags are integrated into the lower part of the instrument panel and hold back the lower body of the driver and front passenger in a head-on collision. Porsche's stability management system is fitted as standard.

Key competitors

As a fast, luxurious station wagon, the Panamera Sport Turismo has no true rivals on the American market. Buyers can look at the smaller Mercedes-Benz E63, high-performance sedans like the BMW 7 Series, or sporty crossovers like the Audi Q8 and Land Rover's Range Rover Sport.