Compare the2022 Porsche PanameraVS 2021 Tesla Model S

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Panamera are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 Model S doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Panamera helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard and even aims one of the vehicle’s headlights in the direction of the person or object. The Model S doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Panamera offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model S only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Panamera has standard Porsche Connect, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model S doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Panamera and the Model S 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 crash mitigating brakes and blind spot warning systems.

The Panamera’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Model S’ (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 45 percent more Porsche dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Panamera’s warranty.

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 Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 15th in initial quality. With 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st.

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 Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 90 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 16 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

The Panamera has more powerful engines than the Model S:

As tested in Car and Driver the Panamera GTS 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the Model S Long Range:

The Panamera 4S’ maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 568.8 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model S’ range is only 412 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 30 minutes for only a 49% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 82 hours and 53 minutes.

For better stopping power the Panamera Turbo S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model S:

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 Model S doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops much shorter than the Model S:

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the Model S (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 245/45R19). The Panamera Turbo S/Turbo S E-Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model S (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. F:265/35R21 & R:295/30R21).

The Panamera’s standard 295/40R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Model S’ standard 45 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 Model S 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. Tesla doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Model S.

The Panamera GTS handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Model S Long Range pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Panamera Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the Model S (23.9 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Model S’ (37.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Tesla Model S.

The Panamera has 2 cubic foot more passenger volume than the Model S (96 vs. 94).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The Model S’ rear seats don’t recline.

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

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Panamera’s liftgate can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model S doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Panamera to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model S.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model S, the Panamera offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Panamera offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model S doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

The Panamera’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model S doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

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 Model S 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 Model S doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

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

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 Model S doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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

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