Compare the2022 BMW M8VS 2021 Porsche Panamera

The M8’s 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 M8 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 M8 offers optional 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the M8. But it costs extra on the Panamera.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M8’s optional 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 M8’s 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 M8 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 blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 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 M8’s warranty.

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 M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 292 more horsepower (617 vs. 325) and 222 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 331) than the Panamera’s standard 2.9 turbo V6. The M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 177 more horsepower (617 vs. 440) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 405) than the Panamera 4S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6. The M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 162 more horsepower (617 vs. 455) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 516) than the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M8 is faster than the Panamera GTS 4.0 turbo V8:

Both the M8 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 M8s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

For better stopping power the M8’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Panamera:

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The M8 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 M8 stops shorter than the Panamera:

For better traction, the M8 has larger front tires than the Panamera (275/35R20 vs. 265/45R19).

The M8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Panamera.

The M8 Gran Coupe handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Panamera Turbo pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M8 Gran Coupe is 7 inches shorter than the Panamera, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The M8 Gran Coupe has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Panamera (100 vs. 96).

The M8 Gran Coupe has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

With its coupe, convertible or sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the M8 offers cargo security. The Panamera’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The M8 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 M8’s 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 M8 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. 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 M8’s 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.

The M8 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 M8’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Panamera doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Porsche Panamera isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.