Compare the2022 Porsche PanameraVS 2021 Volvo V90

The Porsche Panamera has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The V90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 V90 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Panamera and the V90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver 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, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Panamera has a standard 850-amp battery. The V90’s 800-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 15th in initial quality. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 9 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Panamera has more powerful engines than the V90:

As tested in Motor Trend the Panamera 4S 2.9 turbo V6 is faster than the V90 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera Sport Turismo running on electricity gets better mileage than the V90:

The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid can drive on battery power alone for up to 19 miles. The V90 must run its internal combustion engine to move.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Panamera Turbo/GTS’ fuel efficiency. The V90 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Panamera and the V90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Panameras have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the V90.

The Panamera E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 (21.1 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 7.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 (23.7 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The Panamera offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The V90 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Panamera’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The V90 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Panamera’s brake rotors are larger than those on the V90:

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 V90 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops much shorter than the V90:

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the V90 (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 255/40R19). The Panamera Turbo S/Turbo S E-Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V90 (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. 255/40R19).

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 V90’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Panamera offers optional 21-inch wheels. The V90’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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 V90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the Panamera uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Panamera offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the V90.

The Panamera has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The V90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Panamera’s wheelbase is .3 inches longer than on the V90 (116.1 inches vs. 115.8 inches). The Panamera Executive’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the V90 (122 inches vs. 115.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the V90.

The Panamera’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the V90’s (53.7% to 46.3%). This gives the Panamera more stable handling and braking.

The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo handles at .99 G’s, while the V90 T6 AWD R-Design pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the V90 T6 AWD Inscription (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the V90’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

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 V90 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 V90 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Panamera Sport Turismo a Large car, while the V90 is rated a Small Station Wagon.

The Panamera Sport Turismo has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V90 (108 vs. 98).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The V90’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 V90 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the Panamera is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 11th.

The Panamera’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The V90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 V90 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

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 V90 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 V90 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Panamera and the V90 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 V90.

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 V90 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Porsche Panamera comes in four door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles; the Volvo V90 isn’t available as a four door.

The Porsche Panamera outsold the Volvo 90 Series by over two to one during the 2021 model year.