2022 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid

The Porsche Panamera Hybrid may fool you into thinking that with electrification, this is a milder version of the regular Panamera. This couldn't be further from the truth, as, in the case of the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid, the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer uses electrification for evil instead of good. Don't get us wrong, the Panamera E-Hybrid is kinder on the environment and with better mpg ratings, but instead of using a smaller engine mated to an electric motor, Porsche didn't take anything away, it just added more. That means taking the standard twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 or 4.0L V8 and adding a 134-horsepower electric motor to generate up to 690 hp in the top-ranking Turbo S E-Hybrid, dealt to an all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed PDK automatic. The results speak for themselves, pairing performance with eco-consciousness in a way that no one can rival - literally. There are no equals to the Panamera plug-in hybrid range in the USA, with it instead going toe-to-toe with the likes of either traditional performance machines like the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 with its brutish exterior or new-age monsters like the Tesla Model S with its unsurpassed acceleration.

The Panamera E-Hybrid is an exciting vehicle. It's a showcase of how electric motors can be used to improve both performance and its economy rating. The Panamera is also a sensational thing to drive, the build quality is exceptional, and it's relatively practical.

If only Porsche got the pricing right. The most basic model starts at $105,000, which already puts it above the BMW M5, although the 4S E-Hybrid can be seen as impressive value since it undercuts the Panamera GTS while providing a similar level of performance. The top-spec Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive is more than $200,000, which takes it into the realm of Bentley. In shape and size, the competition includes the fastest M5, but it carries S-Class and Flying Spur-like price tags. This would be fine if Porsche added more features as standard, but you have to pay over $5,000 for the latest safety systems.

As good as the Porsche is, it's simply too expensive, and it's not like there's a shortage of rivals that are just as quick but a lot more affordable.

The biggest downside is the price of the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid range. The base Panamera 4 E-Hybrid has an MSRP of $105,000 in the US, while the long-wheelbase Executive version retails for $109,500. A Panamera 4S E-Hybrid costs $114,700, increasing to $126,000 for the Executive model. The top-spec Turbo S E-Hybrid starts at $189,800, while the Executive version of this model costs an eye-watering $200,200. These prices exclude the $1,350 destination charge. Disappointingly, the Panamera is no longer eligible for any federal tax credit, although state-specific incentives and rebates are available.