Compare the2023 Porsche PanameraVS 2023 Audi S6

Both the Panamera and the S6 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’ 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 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid produces 11 more horsepower (455 vs. 444) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 442) than the S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 29 more horsepower (473 vs. 444) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 442) than the S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 246 more horsepower (690 vs. 444) and 199 lbs.-ft. more torque (641 vs. 442) than the S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Panamera GTS 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the Audi S6:

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera Sedan running on electricity gets better mileage than the S6:

The Panamera can travel with zero emissions for 17 to 19 miles (dependent on model). The S6 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 S6 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 S6 (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 S6 (23.7 vs. 19.3 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 S6 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 S6 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Panamera Turbo S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the S6:

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 S6 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops shorter than the S6:

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the S6 (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 255/35R21). The Panamera Turbo S/Turbo S E-Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S6 (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. 255/35R21).

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 S6’s 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 S6 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 S6.

The Panamera has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The S6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Panamera’s wheelbase is .8 inches longer than on the S6 (116.1 inches vs. 115.3 inches). The Panamera Executive’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the S6 (122 inches vs. 115.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the S6.

The Panamera GTS handles at 1.02 G’s, while the S6 Premium Plus pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the S6’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Audi S6.

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 S6 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 S6 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 S6 is rated a Mid-size.

The Panamera Sport Turismo has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S6 (108 vs. 99).

The Panamera has .6 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more front shoulder room than the S6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The S6’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Panamera has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the S6 (17.6 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

The Panamera Sport Turismo has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the S6 (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 S6 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 S6 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 S6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Panamera and the S6 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 S6.

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 S6.

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 S6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Porsche Panamera comes in four door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles; the Audi S6 isn’t available as a station wagon.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S6 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 S6 only retains 46.87% to 46.9%.