Compare the2022 Porsche PanameraVS 2022 Audi A7

The Panamera offers available whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The A7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Panamera and the A7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, night vision systems, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 15th in initial quality. With 77 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 5 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Panamera has more powerful engines than the A7:

As tested in Motor Trend the Panamera 4S 2.9 turbo V6 is faster than the Audi A7 V6 hybrid gas:

As tested in Car and Driver the Panamera GTS 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the Audi A7 3.0:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Panamera Turbo/GTS’ fuel efficiency. The A7 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Panamera E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the A7 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the A7’s standard fuel tank (23.7 vs. 19.3 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Porsche Panamera, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A7.

For better stopping power the Panamera’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A7:

The Panamera offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The A7 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops much shorter than the A7:

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the A7 (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 255/40R20). The Panamera Turbo S/Turbo S E-Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A7 (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. 255/40R20).

The Panamera’s optional 315/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige’s optional 35 series tires.

The Panamera offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The A7 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Panamera offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the A7.

The Panamera has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The A7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Panamera’s wheelbase is .9 inches longer than on the A7 (116.1 inches vs. 115.2 inches). The Panamera Executive’s wheelbase is 6.8 inches longer than on the A7 (122 inches vs. 115.2 inches).

The Panamera’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the A7’s (53.9% to 46.1%). This gives the Panamera more stable handling and braking.

The Panamera 4S handles at 1.01 G’s, while the A7 55 TFSI Prestige pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Panamera Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige (23.9 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

The front grille of the Panamera uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A7 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Panamera offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A7 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Panamera Sedan a Large car, while the A7 is rated a Mid-size.

The Panamera has 1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A7 (96 vs. 95).

The Panamera has 1 inch more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear headroom than the A7.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Panamera’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The A7 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 37% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The Panamera’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The A7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Panamera offers an optional rear wiper. The A7 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Panamera has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A7 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Panamera also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the Panamera (except Sport Turismo) and power rear side window sunshades are optional in the Panamera to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A7 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Panamera’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The A7 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Panamera and the A7 offer available massaging front seats. The Panamera also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the A7.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Panamera has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the A7.

The Panamera Sport Turismo offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The A7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Porsche Panamera comes in four door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles; the Audi A7 isn’t available as a station wagon.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Porsche Panamera outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by 35% during 2020.