Compare the2023 Porsche PanameraVS 2023 Audi A7

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 A7 doesn’t offer a night vision 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, 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 4S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 108 more horsepower (443 vs. 335) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid produces 120 more horsepower (455 vs. 335) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 138 more horsepower (473 vs. 335) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 355 more horsepower (690 vs. 335) and 272 lbs.-ft. more torque (641 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Panamera is faster than the Audi A7:

As tested in Motor Trend the Panamera GTS 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the Audi A7 3.0:

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera Sedan running on electricity gets better mileage than the A7:

The Panamera can travel with zero emissions for 17 to 19 miles (dependent on model). The A7 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 A7 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 A7 (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 A7 (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 driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A7’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 GTS handles at 1.05 G’s, while the A7 55 TFSI Prestige pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Panamera GTS executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige (23.7 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the A7’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 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 third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

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 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 A7 only retains 41.94% to 42.65%.

The Porsche Panamera outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by 32% during 2022.