Porsche Panamera review

• For: Performance, technology, luxury feel
• Against: Expensive, only four seats
• Verdict: A wonderfully self-indulgent car that majors on comfort and tech

For such a big car, the Porsche Panamera is a wonderfully self-indulgent proposition.

All models, including the Sport Turismo estate, only offer seating for four, so parents with three children need to look elsewhere.

Launched in 2017, the current version represents a quantum leap forward.

Central to its appeal is a feeling of luxury, enhanced by a supple ride, beautifully appointed cabin and impressive technology – not to mention superb Porsche dynamics.

Prices start from £70,000, but that’s only half the story, because there’s a multitude of models to choose from, including the thunderous Panamera Turbo and efficient E-Hybrid.

Top-spec versions nudge past £150,000, while the Sport Turismo adds an extra layer of practicality and style.

The twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine is a peach, but it’s no longer possible to buy a diesel.

It’s expensive, especially with some must-have options, but the Panamera offers a rich ownership experience.

KEY INFO

• Launched: 2016
• Facelifted: 2018
• Due for replacement: 2021
• Warranty: 3 years / unlimited miles