Compare the2022 BMW 7 SeriesVS 2021 Porsche Panamera

The 7 Series’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Panamera doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 7 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Panamera doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 7 Series has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 7 Series xDrive’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Panamera doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The 7 Series has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Panamera’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 7 Series’ standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Panamera doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The 7 Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Panamera doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 7 Series and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and night vision systems.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 7 Series for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the Panamera (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 81 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 7 Series’ warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 7 Series has a standard 950-amp battery. The Panamera only offers a 850-amp battery.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 7 Series second among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Panamera was rated third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is ranked 24th.

The 7 Series has more powerful engines than the Panamera:

The 740i’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 17 miles, 21% further than the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s 14 mile range.

Both the 7 Series and the Panamera have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All 7 Seriess have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The 7 Series has a standard Brake Assistant to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 7 Series stops shorter than the Panamera:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 7 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Panamera doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 7 Series offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Panamera; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the 7 Series uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Panamera, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 7 Series’ wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the Panamera Executive (126.4 inches vs. 122 inches).

The Alpina B7 handles at .97 G’s, while the Panamera Turbo pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The design of the BMW 7 Series amounts to more than styling. The 7 Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .27 to .31 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Panamera (.29 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 7 Series get better fuel mileage.

The 7 Series has 18 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Panamera (114 vs. 96).

The 7 Series has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 8.8 inches more rear legroom and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 7 Series easier. The 7 Series’ trunk lift-over height is 27.2 inches, while the Panamera’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the 7 Series offers cargo security. The Panamera’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 7 Series has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Panamera doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 7 Series’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Panamera.

If the windows are left open on the 7 Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 7 Series’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Panamera’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the 7 Series has standard extendable sun visors. The Panamera doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The 7 Series has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Panamera.

The 7 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Panamera doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 7 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.