Porsche Panamera S eHybrid (970) | Ownership Review | Plus Panamera 4 eHybrid comparison.

I've owned a Porsche Panamera S eHybrid (970 gen 2) for just over two years and 34k miles. In this film we'll go over the ownership experience, including costs, repairs, warranty work, recalls and servicing.
I also drive the Panamera 4 eHybrid 971 latest version, and draw comparisons between the two models.
** Uploaded again with audio fix work completed **

[@douglasschreiber3456]

So, I'm a dealer and just purchased a '14 as a trade in from a Mercedes dealer. Being quite unfamiliar with the Panamera hybrid, I've watched about 12 videos on the vehicle to familiarize myself. Your video ranks number 1. I appreciate the concise, informative points you've made and the genuine opinion of the overall features. Very well done. Thanks!

[@markscars1069]

Many thanks Douglas, that’s very kind. It was a lovely car to drive just the reliability (and later, the rust, which wasn’t mentioned in the video) which gave cause for concern. Good luck with the sale.

[@jamesharte8390]

every now and again i think about buying a panamera then i rewatch your video and it successfully puts me off

[@markscars1069]

I think I just had a particularly bad one. That said, a neighbour has a Macan GTS, now two years old and last month he returned to the car to find the passenger footwell full of water. Dealer perplexed on the cause.

[@kdm313]

Wow thank you. Great review answered a lot of questions

[@bmm760036]

I’ve had a 2014 970 SE Hybrid for 15 months now and fortunately haven’t any issues with it. It is however going into the main dealer for a couple of recalls relating to battery cooling. Great review.

[@markscars1069]

Cheers and yes, same recall pending on mine when I’m allowed to get it to Swindon.

[@nigelha3699]

best Pana hybrid review ever...thanks

[@markscars1069]

Ah cheers :)

[@wgm247]

This was a great review of both cars..subscribed

[@markscars1069]

WGM 247 Cheers

[@Abz1324]

Great video Mark, very informative and to the point, quality info as I was looking into an e-hybrid.

[@markscars1069]

Cheers

[@gordons19]

Many thanks for the comprehensive video which I stumbled upon this morning. Happy to watch a calm, factual review without all the usual hype and frenetic behaviour that seem to be the norm these days.....:-) Timing was perfect as I'm test driving a 2018 car in a few days. Same colour and similar spec with the 21" wheels. Currently driving an E63 Estate, but felt it was time to move to a hybrid. Considered an electric car, but options are not great. Inferior build quality of a Tesla, but great recharging versus quality of Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes etc, all of which seem to come with range anxiety and hours of wasted time on longer journeys. As the years go by, performance is still important and I shall miss the V8 noise, but heavy traffic, speed cameras and other restrictions mean comfort now runs a very close second to outright performance. I hope the test drive goes well and thanks for pointing out some key elements to watch out for. Reliability is also important to me and the E63 has not been without it's problems, so good to hear the Gen 2 model appears to be better, but I guess it's early days....

[@markscars1069]

gordons19 That’s appreciated, cheers. Good luck with the 971 hope it’s a good ‘un :)

[@ronb4633]

Thanks for the detailed video Mark. I am not even interested in a Panamera, but the Taycan. I know that it took a lot of styling and chassis elements from the Panamera so I figured it would be good to brush up. Glad your last 6mo were smooth and wish you the best in your replacement vehicle.

[@markscars1069]

Ron B Cheers Ron

[@tlf361]

Have you driven the Taycan now? I haven't driven the latest gen Panamera, but drove the Taycan Turbo and the first gen Panamera 4S, and gosh they are completely different... Taycan makes the Panamera feel like a giant luxury sedan (which I guess it technically is), especially when it comes to handling and acceleration. Curious to see if the new generation Panamera is much different from the Taycan

[@ronb4633]

@@tlf361 I have done 2 test-drives of the Taycan Turbo, it was amazing. I am waiting for a 4S. 😉

[@markscars1069]

Timothy L Will be having a go in the Taycan when the centres reopen.

[@scotdoc]

Wow, fantastic video. My Panamera diesel has an 800 mile range on one tank, costing £100. I’ll stick with that until I’m forced to change it.

[@wgm247]

Wow 800 miles?!

[@renauddubois3553]

cool car; cool watch

[@John-zs4fh]

This and the 958.2 Hybrid Cayenne I find so fascinating! My commute is just enough to run on charge most days. Not sure I want to run the risk of having issues with the hybrid battery system. I'm mainly looking towards Macan, as they appear to be more reliable. But I suppose any non-hybrid Porsche is going to be more reliable anyway.

[@markscars1069]

Jude This one has been mostly fine since the hybrid system was fixed. The bigger issue, to be honest, is Porsche themselves. All big companies demonstrate a certain disinterest towards customers once they have your money, but I have to be honest and say that Porsche are the worst I have come across in this regard. Buy the cars, and enjoy the dynamics, and call on the warranty when they inevitably go wrong (they are near the bottom of reliability surveys for a reason) but just know that Porsche hasn’t become the profit colossus it now is without a certain arrogance...

[@harisnatch4533]

I’ve had a 2017 with 24000 miles and it’s been nothing but trouble! I’ve spent over $12,000 (U.S.) for repairs and have had the car only 6 months! Never again! Based on my experience, I’d rather own a 12 year old Chrysler!

[@abarrera1969]

Your video was most helpful. Regrettably had already bought a 2015 Panamera hybrid already. And the one advise that I giving it a thought was the Porsche certified warranty. I took the car to porsche for maintenance and they had to re-program the high voltage battery and were not able to get it working again. The warranty on the hi voltage warranty expired 4 months ago ( porsche only gives 96 months warranty on the hybrid warranty which is at least 1 year less than Tesla or Audi) Long story short the hybrid battey has to be changed. Porsche will charge over €11.000 for the new battery on a car that is 87.000 kms So my advise do not buy a used hybrid unless it comes with porsche approved warranty else get a Tesla

[@markscars1069]

Sorry to hear of your woes but yes it does seem these cars on occasion can generate some quite horrendous bills, totally at odds with Porsche’s robust and reliable reputation. I will never have another one, although in my case that’s more to do with Porsche’s dismissive approach to my comments rather than the fact my car had problems. Should also note that I am in contact with the chap who bought my car and he reports that a year later all is still well. Not sure he’s doing the same mileage I did but still… Again though, I didn’t mind so much the fact the car was unreliable, it was Porsche saying FO which annoyed me. It’s not in the vid I think as it happened later but that one also started to rust at six years old. Porsche said not covered under the anti corrosion warranty as it was a bolt on part (a rear door). It was stuff like that which put me right off. Will do a vid on my M340i replacement at some point…

[@zeyusong4176]

We brought the car 1.5 years ago. Check the engine light - 3 times. Entertainment malfunction - 2 times. E-hybrid on and off sometimes. I didn't but the extended warranty when I got the car. Come with 2 years CPO warranty. Really worry about the after ownership cost...... Probably need to get rid of it before the warranty expires.

[@markscars1069]

Zeyu Song I’d suggest that’s a good idea.

[@andreasi8745]

Thanks my plan was to buy a used hybrid, but now I'm not sure anymore, maybe I need to stick to BMW (I have had Porsche before)

[@jeffovens2118]

are the headlights good on the 970 Mark? LED's on the later 971 are fantastic, but the 970?

[@markscars1069]

Do be fair I do recall the lights being pretty good. Yes, not as paint-lifting as LEDs (never mind lasers) but still pretty good. PDLS plus is the one to have if you can.

[@khanmahmood2690]

Great review Mark. It highlighted A-Z of owning a Panamera. What we missed out how it compared to 911. After all it meant for those who require 4 doors to seat 4 adults. What is like as a drivers car? Most of us who can afford these are looking for something that has excellent road holding, brisk, outstanding brakes and NVH. What is it like to drive with four adults. Is it easy for people get in and out of the car given its low posture. It would be nice to know how it compare to established luxury sedan markets like Audi A6, MB E450 or BMW 530D. Has Panamera introduced something that those cars lacked. Thanks.

[@markscars1069]

Khan Mahmood I did touch on the dynamics in the video, it doesn’t sparkle quite as much as the non-hybrid Panameras. There’s too much weight for that. In addition, it does indeed have good roadholding but there’s no adjustability. You cannot touch the brakes on the way into a corner and use the weight transfer to steer with it for example. Outside sheer animalism, there’s few options to adjust the car’s attitude. It’s not that kind of device. Ride is on the firm side of luxury, akin to an E60 or F10 M5. Not as hard as a current F90 M5 Comp. NVH is excellent, as I said it’s epic over longer distance. I’ve never really thought of a Panamera as a cooking Five Series rival, to be honest. Different price points.

[@Elbowsmum]

It automatically raises when you stop to allow comfortable egress. When you close the doors it drops back down. You can manually raise and lower suspension via comfort, sport (and sport plus on chrono option) button on centre console. Even if left on sport plus (lowered and stiffened suspension) it raises automatically to help you get out. I have spinal damage and find it as easy to get in and out of as my previous BMW 5GT and 530. The car in sport plus grips incredibly in the bends. Whole car is amazing, i also own a 996 and even with its big size and weight the panamera retains that sports car feel. Only down side - scary braking, it stops alright, the brakes are huge but when bombing along at 50-80 and the person in front taps the brake it can get a little hairy, a tap doesnt do a lot, extra pressure can do too much, so i leave a bigger traffic gap since moving to the Panamera for those little motions that are harder in a 2000+kg vehicle

[@liquidflorian]

I was thinking about getting a 2014 e-Hybrid, but I suppose their is a reason why they're depreciated so much.

[@markscars1069]

The market will react to repeat recalls being issued and so on, it’s just economics, agreed.

[@51THEUFO]

So with the Porsche Approved mostly everything is secured right?

[@markscars1069]

Yep certainly seems to be. And you really need it, at least in my experience.

[@mygoogle1482]

fingers crossed my 2019 turbos se hyrbid has been excellent i think they've invested the last 5 years well. i also think the faults you're finding in a 8 year old car are not that terrible. imho porsche need to improve software in cabin and on app.

[@markscars1069]

That car was three years old when I bought it. The hybrid system packed up 2 months later. So yes, it was pretty terrible. I sold it end of 2020. Oh and it rusted at six years old. Only ever serviced or attended to by OPCs. But Porsche said anti corrosion warranty didn’t apply as it was a door which was affected and bolt on parts were not covered. Good luck.

[@mygoogle1482]

@@markscars1069 I am hoping i dont need too much luck, its got a full warranty from a main dealer and now 18k miles. I'll be out of it in 18 months. But sadly would opt for the upgrade pan with 700 hp and the 50% bigger battery. Love to hear what else you'd suggest?

[@markscars1069]

@@mygoogle1482 Sounds like you’ve got it covered. Warranty is way to go with these things, I was just miffed when the rust started.

[@mygoogle1482]

@@markscars1069 yes that’s really rubbish definitely not what I’d expect either - from a not old car or the wriggling out of warranty for something like rust? Had two mercs and this Porsche in last four years years had problems but all covered by warranties with mercs no probs yet with Porsche. Full dealer warranty makes me feel as safe as possible with things of this value. But always a bit of a risk I guess -

[@markscars1069]

@@mygoogle1482 Just to clarify, the main mechanical warranty was fine and they never quibbled anything on that (even though the car cost them a fortune in the three years I had it). It was the separate body anti-corrosion warranty I was referring to. It basically only seemed to apply to the car's chassis or frame, not the doors, bonnet, boot, wings, roof or sills. All so-called bolt on parts were not covered. That's what they told me. It was all very unfortunate. I will never have another.

[@KarmicPatina]

Im in the market for a pre owned Panamera....should I get the Hybrid or the regular ICE?

[@markscars1069]

Did you watch the entire vid? 😂 ICE all the way, 970 generation at least.

[@snyless6528]

Does it have too much attention in the city? I would use it as a business and daily drive car and I don't want to have all the people touching and having photos of the car ... Im looking for a black 2016 one (the old facelift one)

[@markscars1069]

They stand out. Also depends where you live. In the US they tend to blend in. In the UK they stand out.

[@floridahummer]

nice Breitling

[@Suprahampton]

With the 971, would you suggest the diesel or the V6 e-hybrid?

[@markscars1069]

Not sure how much support there will be for the diesel going forward as it was short lived. I’d opt for the PHEV.

[@Suprahampton]

@@markscars1069 just a shame the 971 hybrid isn't Road Tax exempt

[@markscars1069]

@@Suprahampton Ah wasn’t aware of that. Thought all PHEVs are for the moment anyway. The 970 definitely is.

[@Suprahampton]

@@markscars1069 with the Road Tax rule change in 2017 so cars over £40k are in the high bracket apparently that even applied to PHEVs

[@coldworld5]

Apologies if I missed it but did you buy the 2019 Panamera or was it a loan car from Porsche? Also, within the next 18 months I’m going to buy either a 2017 Panamera or 2017/18 Macan, still undecided. Do you feel that it’s imperative I purchase as Porsche approved?

[@markscars1069]

coldworld5 The 971 was a loan from Porsche, yes. I’ve not bought one as yet, reasons are in later videos. I still fancy the idea of one, not sure what the future holds at this point. And in my experience I wouldn’t advocate buying ANY Porsche without a manufacturer warranty, at least for most buyers.

[@coldworld5]

Mark's Cars thanks. Presumably much like yourself, for me researching the car is a huge part ( of the fun) of buying a car but your videos have 100% convinced me to buy from Porsche dealership with a 24 month warranty. I think it’s also swayed me towards the Macan too, although the Panamera is undoubtably the better looking and more grown up car.

[@wgm247]

What's your views on panamera diesels? 2013 970 ?

[@markscars1069]

WGM 247 They make a decent noise for a diesel. The 250hp version was the first I drove, but the spec on that car was wrong for me. It had all the toys but grey inside and out and just didn’t work. They go well enough but the 300hp version is clearly the one to have.

[@wgm247]

@@markscars1069 I have a diesel 970 and have to decide to keep it or go for a Tesla or hybrid 971... If I keep it, it will be with me until it no longer runs so won't have any financial committment on a 971 or model S. Decisions...

[@wgm247]

Would you still keep a diesel?

[@markscars1069]

WGM 247 No, personally I’ve seen too much of the bad side of Porsche. There’s quite a dark, disinterested flavour to them, at least here in the UK.

[@wgm247]

@@markscars1069 appreciate the view there.. is that for Porsche in general or panamera diesels?. I'm swaying to model s territory...

[@HopkinsGolfUk]

Good video but why wouldn’t you plug it in to get better economy and save on fuel costs

[@markscars1069]

Bought the car because the overall spec suited what I wanted at the time. The fact it was a hybrid wasn’t a decisive factor so once I’d gotten over the novelty, and when arriving home and it’s raining, I really couldn’t be bothered…

[@andyv6583]

Wow a lot of problems for a low mileage car and that’s before getting to the main problem.

[@eddyjawed4871]

Beautiful cars but what a fast way to lose money? Not only they depreciate like a lead balloon but so unreliable you must have a warranty. Much better more reliable alternatives for same spec performance and much lower price

[@wgm247]

That's a lot of problems for a Porsche. Quite scary. Stick with a fiesta