2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo

When Porsche first released the Panamera, there was mass pandemonium: A front-engined Porsche, in this day and age? Well, it has been over a decade since the Panamera has hit the scene, and it has since become a much-loved piece of the Porsche puzzle, so much so that Porsche was comfortable launching this version - the Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo. The Sport Turismo is basically a regular Panamera that has an extended roof. It's not your traditional wagon, but wagons are making a comeback, so we're sticking with it. The fact that the word 'Turbo' features here says a lot: this Porsche packs a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that develops 620 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque and will rocket this family-friendly machine to 60 mph in a mind-bending 2.9 seconds. An even more powerful hybrid version produces up to 690 hp. Competitors such as the Audi RS6 Avant are cheaper, but not as rapid. The 2022 Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo is far removed from what Porsche usually does, but it's still a thoroughbred, through and through.

There's no doubt in our minds: the Panamera looks better as a quasi-wagon than the executive-blob shape it takes on in its standard configuration. The extended roofline gives the car a more flowing, purposeful look. The Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo features LED lighting, a panoramic roof, an automatic rear hatch, an adaptive rear spoiler, and twin dual-tube exhaust outlets. This German wagon rolls on a set of 21-inch Panamera Turbo Design wheels. The Turbo S E-Hybrid has the same size wheels but in a 911 Turbo Design, plus it has Acid Green brake calipers.

Optional exterior features include SportDesign side skirts for $1,290, or you could go with the full SportDesign Package in carbon fiber which, for $8,560, adds exterior styling bits such as side air outlet grilles in carbon fiber and a more aggressive front fascia with the air intakes painted in High Gloss Black.

The Panamera is already a sizable car, but the new Panamera Turbo S wagon takes things to the next level. Measuring 198.8 inches in length, this Porsche is over two inches longer than the Audi RS6 Avant. The width with the mirrors folded is 78.2 inches, and the total width is 85.3 inches with the mirrors extended. Standing 56.4 inches tall, the Turbo S Sport Turismo rolls on a 116.1-inch wheelbase and tips the scales at 4,729 pounds, which is on the heavier side of the Panamera spectrum, but around 230 lbs lighter than the RS6 Avant. The Turbo S E-Hybrid weighs a hefty 5,311 lbs due to its hybrid components.

If there's one thing the Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo can guarantee you is that you won't be left wanting for power. This unsuspecting wagon-like machine packs more power than most early 2000s supercars and delivers its power with brutal efficiency. Power comes from a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 gas engine that produces a massive 620 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that is both smooth and precise. According to Porsche, the all-wheel-drive Turbo S Sport Turismo will blast from 0-60 mph in only 2.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono package and reach a top speed of 196 mph - insane performance for a wagon. And, if you're still wanting more, Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo models are available too, with 690 hp and 641 lb-ft from the hybrid setup. Because of its extra weight, the hybrid takes a tenth of a second longer to reach 60 mph.

Porsche builds some of the world's best-handling cars, and vehicles such as the 718 Cayman GT4 are the reason why so many people love the brand and why so many other manufacturers benchmark their products against it. It would be unfair to compare the 2022 Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo to a Cayman or 911, but you get the feeling that you're behind the wheel of a Porsche as soon as you start throwing the Turbo S Sport Turismo around the bends. The steering feel of the Panamera has improved in general over the past few years, and the Turbo S Sport Turismo offers surprising feedback. There's tons of corner exit grip, but you definitely feel the 4,000-pound plus curb weight when flinging it into a corner. On the open road, it offers a serene driving experience but can get on the stiff side when put in more sports-focused driving modes. It comes with standard adaptive air suspension that soaks up most bumps, and harsh road surfaces are effectively subdued before they disrupt the calm in the cabin.

The EPA is yet to release fuel consumption figures for the 2022 model year, but we expect them to remain the same as last year's gas mileage figures. The AWD 2021 Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo managed a best of 15/21/17 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycle. The Audi RS6 Avant is slightly more efficient on the highway but has the same combined figure; it returns 15/22/17 mpg. The more efficient Turbo S E-Hybrid returns 19 mpg combined on gas alone or 48 MPGe when the electric motor works together with the V8.

With a 23.7-gallon fuel tank, the Turbo S Sport Turismo should get around 400 miles to a tank if you behave. The hybrid has a slightly smaller 21.1-gallon gas tank but it can also travel 17 miles on electric power alone.

Despite its larger dimensions and 4+1 seat layout, the Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo only offers generous space for four adults since the middle rear seat is substantially narrower than the rear outboard seats. Those in the front get a generous amount of space, and you should hear no complaints from six-footers. Things get a bit tighter in the back, but there's still enough room to keep you comfortable on longer trips. Front passengers get standard heated 14-way power-adjustable seats with memory finished in smooth leather. Heated seats are also standard at the back. Optional extras include front and rear ventilated seats and front massage seats.

The stretched station wagon body of the Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo does make this Porsche more practical than the standard Panamera, but it still falls short of offering the space of a traditional wagon. Behind the rear seats, the 2022 Turbo S Sport Turismo provides 18.3 cubic feet of space, as opposed to the 30 cubes offered in the Audi RS6 Avant. Drop down the rear seats with individually folding 40/20/40 backrests, and you're left with a handy 49 cubic feet. The Audi offers a far superior 59.3 cubic feet, while the Mercedes-AMG E63 S wagon does even better at 64 cubes. The Turbo S E-Hybrid has just 14.3 cubes behind the rear seats and 45.4 cubes when they're folded.

Inside, you get small door pockets, some oddly-shaped cupholders in the front, and a center console storage bin and glove box. There is a small storage compartment in the rear center console, too, and two cupholders.

Porsche charges a princely sum for the pleasure of driving away in a Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo but holds back on a lot of the standard features you'd find in competing cars. That being said, the interior of the Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo is still a decidedly luxurious place to sit in, and the build quality is top-notch. Standard features include two-zone climate control with separate driver and passenger temperature settings, heated seats in both rows, 14-way power-adjustable front seats with memory, comfort access, keyless drive, and HomeLink.

Standard driver assistance features include ParkAssist front and rear, lane-keep assist with traffic sign recognition, cruise control, and a head-up display. Optional extras included in the $3,940 Premium Package are four-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, soft-close doors, lane change assist, and ambient lighting. You can also add adaptive cruise control, night vision assist, and a surround-view camera through the $5,290 Assistance Package, or as standalone extras.

If the new Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo's performance doesn't impress you, then its infotainment system should keep you entertained. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is neatly mounted in the squared-off dashboard and is easily accessible from both sides. Standard infotainment features the Porsche Communication Management setup with online navigation and industry standards such as Bluetooth, Aux-in, and a slew of USB ports. You also get standard wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month trial, HD Radio, voice control, wireless phone charging, and a Bose surround sound ­system with 14 speakers including a subwoofer with a total output of 710 watts. If you're after something more powerful, Porsche offers a $5,940 Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system with 21 individually controlled loudspeakers. A rear-seat entertainment system will cost a total of $3,180.

While the 2022 model year is recall-free, the 2021 Panamera model range was recalled twice in the USA. The first recall was issued for an issue with the seat belt automatic locking retractors, while the second was for incorrectly forged front lower trailing arms.

Porsche will cover new Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo models with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, a 12-year corrosion warranty, a four-year/50,000-mile drivetrain warranty and roadside assistance plan, and a one-year/10,000-mile maintenance plan. Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

The 2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo is yet to undergo a review by the IIHS. There is no safety review from the NHTSA either, and we doubt that it will ever happen considering the car's price tag. The good news is that Porsche's passenger car range has a solid track record and regularly scores five stars on the Euro NCAP rating scale.

Standard safety features include ten airbags, including rear side, and front knee bags, ABS brakes traction, and stability control. Driver assistance features such as front and rear ParkAssist, lane keep assist with traffic sign recognition, cruise control, and a head-up display are all standard, and Porsche offers additional features such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), night vision assist, and a surround-view camera system on the options menu.

The Panamera family has found a loyal following and has proven to be a proper driver's car, despite the unorthodox (for a Porsche) engine layout and body styling. The Panamera is now offered as a sedan, an executive extended-wheelbase model, and for the past couple of years, as a 'Sport Turismo.' This wagon-esque body shape suits the Panamera; we think it looks good, and as an added bonus, it makes it even more practical. Get one in Turbo S guise, and not only do you have a practical family car and long-distance cruise missile, but an absolutely balls-to-the-wall performance car. With 620 horses under your right foot, this Porche will decimate most other vehicles from the stoplights. Sure, it costs a pretty penny, and the standard feature list is a bit light, especially on the driver aid front, but what the Panamera Turbo S lacks in features, it makes up for in its sheer athletic ability, build quality, and ability to cover long distances in the blink of an eye.

All that added practicality and 620 hp don't come cheap: the 2022 Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo has a starting price of a heady $183,800 MSRP excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,350. The Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is even pricier, starting at $193,800.

Rivals such as the 2021 Audi RS6 Avant and the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon come in at under $113,000. Fully loaded, the 2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo can easily cost you north of $250k.

The 2022 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo is offered in gas-only or hybrid configurations. Both use a twin-turbo V8 but the hybrid's electric motor helps it produce 690 hp.

Both models are similarly equipped as standard and have access to the same extras. Just be careful - ticking the options boxes sky-rockets the price to over $200k very quickly. If we were buying, we'd get one in Carrara White Metallic and add the $3,940 Premium Package, which includes LED Matrix headlights, four-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, lane change assist, and soft-close doors. We'd also go for the $5,290 Assistance package, which adds a surround-view camera system, night vision assist, and adaptive cruise control. The $1,120 Sport Chrono Package with the Porsche Design Subsecond Clock is also a must. The total cost for this build comes to a cool $195,500 including the destination charge.

Audi remains the king of fast wagons, and the latest RS6 Avant is as cool as they come. Based on looks alone, the Audi wins hands-down; this thing looks purposeful and aggressive, unlike the relatively shapeless Porsche. Under the hood, the RS6 Avant packs a similar twin-turbo V8 engine but gets help from a mild hybrid system to fill in any power gaps. Power is rated at 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, and power is sent to all fours via an eight-speed auto box. The RS6 Avant will get to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and top out at 190 mph when equipped with ceramic brakes; it might not be as fast as the Porsche, but it feels more noble and athletic around the corners and can be just as comfortable when need be. On the inside, the RS6 Avant offers a tech feast and lots of space. Its more traditional wagon shape also provides more cargo space. Starting at almost $75k cheaper, the Audi is a bargain compared to the Porker, and is our choice of the two.

Slap an AMG badge on anything, and you're pretty much guaranteed a good time, even if it's on the back of a family station wagon. The Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is an absolute beast of a car: it also packs a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 engine producing 603 hp and a superior 627 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time is a less impressive 3.4 seconds and the top speed is 180 mph, but it's certainly worth mentioning that this Merc costs over $70,000 less than the Porsche. On the road, the E63 Wagon is a joy to drive and is a confident highway cruiser. The interior is more emotive, and the standard features list more impressive. The E63 is also more practical and offers significantly more cargo space. On paper, the Porsche is the faster car, but out in the real world, neither car will ever be pushed to its limits, and the Mercedes-AMG is just too much of a bargain to overlook.