2023 Porsche Panamera vs Audi A7: 2 German Sport Sedans Setting High Marks
While luxury SUVs continue to gain popularity, luxury sport sedans are still the best for turning heads. And when looking at the Porsche Panamera and Audi A7, there are several great things that stand out about both models. For anyone that has the scratch, either of these premium sport sedans are a great choice, but which one pulls ahead? Let’s go through the data to find out.
Porsche Panamera and Audi A7 performance options and price
Both the Porsche Panamera and Audi A7 come in three distinct flavors, all delivering impressive performance.
The base Porsche Panamera features a 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 and churns out 325 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. With a starting price of $93,850, the base Panamera is a bit expensive, but the smooth power delivery is undeniable.
The base Audi A7 features a similar 3.0-liter V6 turbo, but delivers a bit more punch at 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The A7 also comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the Panamera is rear-wheel drive out of the box.
High-performance variants of the Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera
For those seeking a more thrilling experience, both the Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera offer more high-performance options.
The Audi S7 has a starting price of $84,595 and comes with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6. This model sends 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque through the Quattro all-wheel drive system, and accelerates to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Panamera 4S uses the same engine setup, but this twin-turbo six-pot offers 443 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque.
In the top-spec Panamera GTS, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 throws down 473 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. Similarly, the Audi RS 7 uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, but this German sedan cranks out 591 ponies and 590 pound-feet of torque.
For straight line performance, it’s hard to argue against the Audi A7 family of models when compared to the Porsche Panamera. Price tips in the Audi’s favor as well, as the Porsche price premium shows up across the board.
The Panamera wins on refinement
As has long been the case with Porsche, the spec sheet isn’t where the luxury Porsche pulls ahead. While the Audi certainly wins on outright performance, its German rival does everything better.
As always, Porsche handling wins the day when compared to the Audi sportback. Engagement is second-to-none in the Panamera, and the well-engineered suspension makes the heft of this four-door scarcely noticeable.
Even the top-spec Audi RS 7 feels more vague and floaty than the Panamera, and the base A7 can’t come close to matching the Porsche model.
Unfortunately, there is a high price tag for that improved engineering, as the base Panamera costs nearly $20,000 more than the base A7.
Inside, premium touches like Alcantara, heated and ventilated seats, and four-way automatic climate control make the Porsche a more luxurious choice as well.
Both offer frustrating tech
While the Audi offers a more straightforward infotainment experience, both models use a touchscreen climate control system that is distracting to use while driving. It’s one area where buttons and knobs were perfectly fine, and the switch to displays feels like tech for tech’s sake.
Choosing between the Porsche Panamera and Audi A7
While there are certainly differences that make the Panamera a better choice, when considering price the value is largely equal. With both models, the value and money make sense, so deciding budget is the biggest factor in picking a winner.
