The 2021 Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Detailed Review: Luxury in a Hurry

Yeah, I’m surprised too! This is a plug-in hybrid with 30 or so miles of electric only range that also keeps up with a Ferrari Enzo! Porsche’s four-door fastback has proper sports sedan moves and legit green car street cred. It’s a vehicle that paves a nice and smooth path for enthusiasts to transition to cars of the future. Don’t believe me? Watch my video and discover for yourself.
Check out my website: funwithcars.com/
Video Chapters
0:00 Introduction and specifications
2:08 Walkaround
5:20 Cargo room
5:58 Rear seat comfort and features
7:42 Front seat comfort and features
10:22 Drive review - Overview
10:47 Drive review - Powertrain
12:07 Drive review - Acceleration
13:37 Drive review - Drive modes/Hybrid
14:11 Drive review - Ride and handling
16:40 Drive review - Luxury
17:23 Drive review - Conclusion
Specifications:
2021 Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid
Base price: $114,650
Price as tested: $135,510
Powertrain: twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 plug-in hybrid
Engine Power: 443 horsepower between 5750-6600 rpm
Electric Motor Power: 134 horsepower
Total System Power: 552 hp
Engine Torque: 405 lb-ft of torque between 1900-5750 rpm
Electric Motor Torque:295 lb-ft of torque
Total System Torque: 553 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: 8-spd dual-clutch transmission
Drive: all-wheel-drive
Battery: 17.9 KWh lithium-ion
Fuel Economy
Combined EV + Gas 50 mpge
Combined 22 mpg
Dimensions
Length: 198.8 inches
Width: 78.2 inches (w/mirrors folded)
Height: 56.0 inches
Wheelbase: 116.1 inches
Weights and Capacities
Curb weight: 5004 lbs
Interior volume: 98 cu ft (according to fueleconomy.gov)
Cargo volume (seats up/folded): 14/44 cu ft (according to Porsche)
Calculated weight to power: 9.1 pounds per horsepower
Mfr’s claimed 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds (w/sport chrono package)
Mfr’s claimed Top Speed: 185 mph
Government classified size: Large car
Options: Premium package, $6640; PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) Sport (incl PTV+), $5010; Sport exhaust system (incl. tailpipes in black), $3860; rear axle steering (incl. power steering plus), $1650; Surround view, $920; 7.2kW on board charger, $840; Gentian Blue metallic paint, $840; Heated GT Sport steering wheel, $590; Window trim in high-gloss, $420; Smoking package, $90;
Recorded
18th of October 2021
Who is Robin Warner? - Brief description and bio
Robin spent five years of his adult life as an engineer. Four years at a Tier One supplier, TRW Automotive (now ZF TRW Auto), working as a traction and stability control calibration engineer, and little over a year as a vehicle dynamics engineer at Ford Motor Company.
Furthermore, he spent 15 years of his adult life holding different editor positions at various magazines, including Associate Technical Editor at Car and Driver, Road Test Editor at Road & Track, and Managing Editor at Autoweek.
Robin also spent several years racing. He started in autocross, then bought a go-kart and then another one. Having a lot of success, including a Great Lakes Sprint Series championship in 2002, he moved to single-seaters, racing in the 2003 Skip-Barber Midwest Championship, the 2003-2004 Skip Barber Southern Championship, and the 2004 Formula Dodge National Championship.
In addition to making videos, Robin hosts a podcast about major road racing series across the globe, with a focus on Formula 1. Find the show at funwithcars.com/

[@DAQuintyne]

My 4S ST runs on 21" wheels and it is unbelievable smooth, not an issue compared to my AMG on 19", much better ride

[@SS-22]

Great review, Rob! The only thing that I found rather silly was how surprised you were that this is a plug-in hybrid but has super car speed/acceleration. The Porsche 918 Spyder (Porsche’s best and most expensive sports car) is a plug-in hybrid and the 919 Evo Hybrid (Porsche’s fastest car ever made) is a hybrid. While we’re at it with the history lesson (hope you don’t mind), the world’s first-ever hybrid electric car was made by Porsche in 1899 (called the “System Lohner-Porsche Mixte”). Ps it’s “Premium” (not executive) Package (can’t blame you for not remembering Porsche’s unique lingo for all the various things, you got everything else right haha).

[@viewsonvehicles]

Thank you for the correction on the package. And thank you for the compliment! In regards to the plug-in hybrid, it’s not surprise so much as emphasis that this is an extremely capable car that also has that powertrain. Because many folks automatically associate plug-ins with lackluster performance and I want make certain people know how incorrect that is.

[@SS-22]

@@viewsonvehicles you got it. And fair enough! You’re right about most people thinking that as soon as they hear the word “hybrid.” I got a ‘22 Panamera 4S E-Hybrid, and it was mostly because I wanted the high performance thrill (Motorweek road tested this car at 3.2 seconds 0-60) with virtually no turbo lag due to the electric motor. The fuel efficiency and 34 miles of pure EV range are great additional benefits though! It’s an engineering masterpiece and there‘s nothing else like this car out in the market.

[@rong8889]

Good review, thanks 👍🏽

[@viewsonvehicles]

Glad you enjoyed it and really appreciate your comment. Thank you!

[@jeffreykilpatrick3592]

Problem with 21” wheels is that the car will ride much harder on 21” wheels and the tires are fewer in different choices. This is overall a luxury car and if you want a quiet and comfortable ride the smaller wheels are the best choice.

[@Eddy-iv3qv]

The best e-hybrid video I have seen so far. So happy this one was in the US!!

[@viewsonvehicles]

Appreciate that, thank you!

[@Eddy-iv3qv]

@@viewsonvehicles by any chance do you have any videos comparing 2018 - 2019 - 2020? I can't find any differences in the models.

[@viewsonvehicles]

@@Eddy-iv3qv Ooo, sorry, no. The 2021 is the first video I did on the Panamera, hybrid or otherwise. I did write about it before, maybe this will help a bit? www.autoweek.com/drives/a1827861/2018-porsche-panamera-turbo-s-e-hybrid-review-all-power-all-money/

[@Eddy-iv3qv]

@@viewsonvehicles ty. I was looking for some type of comparison. Even the lights look the same. Side by side I can't tell the difference between 18, 19, n 20.

[@viewsonvehicles]

I see. Car and Driver is a good resource for that, very knowledgeable and with tons of resources. Maybe this will help www.caranddriver.com/porsche/panamera

[@trevormacdougall9385]

Subscribed Robin. Terrific review. Wondering if you knew whether the sport tourismo variant gives more passenger room or just more cargo room?

[@viewsonvehicles]

Thank you so much! Yes, Sport Turismo is a little bit wider and offers the second row a bit more room. I'm not sure if it increases space in the front row.

[@trevormacdougall9385]

@@viewsonvehicles Thanks again. Great review on this car. Best I’ve seen.

[@ballislife2351]

I’m still confused on the mpg, is it 50 mpg or 22mpg combined…and is that 50mpg actually per every gallon or just until the battery needs to be recharged?

[@viewsonvehicles]

Yeah, it's confusing. And I'm still learning how to explain it clearly. So let me first apologize if I added to the confusion. The 50 is mpgE or miles per gallon equivalent. That is the efficiency of the car, or how much energy it uses, when it runs off of the battery pack. When you run the 4S E-Hybrid on electricity alone, that's what you get. If the battery depletes and you're back to using it as a hybrid, it gets 22 mpg combined. Your actual MPG totally depends on how often you recharged the battery, how hard you drive, etc. If it's helpful, I wrote an article for Porsche Club explaining some of this, including the energy relationship between gasoline and battery packs. www.pca.org/news/watt-is-the-meaning-of-all-these-new-terms-in-my-electric-porsches-spec-sheet

[@jeffreykilpatrick3592]

The silver trim around the side windows looks much much better - black highlights on a dark blue car is just too dead looking.

[@elrafas2366]

4:09 _Sorry, I didn't understand I think... He has two modes to charge, Whether is fuel or electric, right?_

[@viewsonvehicles]

When you say two modes, are you referring to charging speed? Yes, it can charge at different speeds. I was simply showing that the charge port was on the opposite side of the fuel door. I hope that clears things up.

[@elrafas2366]

_I got it, I was thinking that this model was completely electric, but I understand now, is Hybrid_ _Great review_

[@viewsonvehicles]

@@elrafas2366 ah, right. Yeah, plug-in hybrid. Cheers!

[@viewsonvehicles]

But since you mention it, I did also review the Porsche Taycan 4S, which is an EV: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWW2fHVjiLeGaM0

[@elrafas2366]

_You're awesome_@@viewsonvehicles_I will check out! I'm intending to buy this refreshed line-up from the Porsche Panamera :)_

[@vicklam6464]

Why not taking 21 inch wheel? U should

[@viewsonvehicles]

This was a test car Porsche loaned to me a few days.

[@Hermanos22]

Vick… you absolute bottom feeder.. must be hard being such a simpleton