Compare the2023 Porsche Panamera VS 2023 Audi A6

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 A6 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Panamera and the A6 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, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 39 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Porsche higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The Panamera has more powerful engines than the A6:

	Horsepower	Torque
Panamera 2.9 turbo V6	325 HP	331 lbs.-ft.
Panamera 4S 2.9 turbo V6	443 HP	405 lbs.-ft.
Panamera 4 E-Hybrid 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid	455 HP	516 lbs.-ft.
Panamera GTS 4.0 turbo V8	473 HP	457 lbs.-ft.
Panamera 4S E-Hybrid 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid	552 HP	553 lbs.-ft.
Panamera Turbo S 4.0 turbo V8	620 HP	604 lbs.-ft.
Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	690 HP	641 lbs.-ft.
A6 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	261 HP	273 lbs.-ft.
A6 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid	335 HP	369 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Panamera is faster than the A6 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid:

	Panamera	Panamera 4S	A6
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	3.8 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	12.3 sec	13.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104.7 MPH	111.3 MPH	102.7 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera Sedan running on electricity gets better mileage than the A6:

			MPGe
Panamera Sedan
	AWD	4S E-Hybrid Electric Motor	49 city/51 hwy
		E-Hybrid Electric Motor	50 city/54 hwy
		Turbo S E-Hybrid Electric Motor	45 city/51 hwy
A6
			MPG
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/31 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	21 city/30 hwy

The Panamera can travel with zero emissions for 17 to 19 miles (dependent on model). The A6 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Panamera Turbo/GTS’ fuel efficiency. The A6 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Panamera E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the A6 (21.1 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the A6 (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 A6.

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 A6 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Panamera’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A6:

	Panamera Base	Panamera Turbo S	A6
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	16.5 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	16.1 inches	13 inches

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 A6 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops shorter than the A6:

	Panamera	A6
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	107 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the A6 (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 A6 (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. 255/40R20).

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 A6’s standard 45 series tires. The Panamera’s optional 275/35R21 front and 315/30R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the A6’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Panamera offers optional 21-inch wheels. The A6’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 A6 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 A6.

The Panamera has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The A6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Panamera’s wheelbase is 1 inch longer than on the A6 (116.1 inches vs. 115.1 inches). The Panamera Executive’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the A6 (122 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the A6.

The Panamera’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the A6’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Panamera more stable handling and braking.

The Panamera GTS handles at 1.05 G’s, while the A6 Prestige pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Panamera GTS executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the A6 Prestige (23.7 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the A6’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 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 A6 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 A6 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 A6 is rated a Mid-size.

The Panamera Sport Turismo has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A6 (108 vs. 99).

The Panamera has .6 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more front shoulder room than the A6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The A6’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Panamera has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the A6 (17.6 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

The Panamera Sport Turismo has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the A6 (18.3 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Panamera’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The A6 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 third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Panamera offers an optional rear wiper. The A6 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Panamera’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The A6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Panamera and the A6 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 A6.

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 A6.

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 A6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Porsche Panamera comes in four door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles; the Audi A6 isn’t available as a station wagon.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Panamera will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Panamera will retain 45.4% to 94.99% of its original price after five years, while the A6 only retains 39.58% to 41.37%.