Compare the2023 Porsche PanameraVS 2023 Lexus LS

Both the Panamera and LS have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Panamera has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The LS’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

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 LS doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Panamera and the LS 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.

The Panamera’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LS’ (12 vs. 6 years).

The Panamera has more powerful engines than the LS:

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Panamera is faster than the Lexus LS:

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

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the LS 500 AWD (21 city/24 hwy vs. 17 city/27 hwy).

The Panamera can travel with zero emissions for 17 to 19 miles (dependent on model). The LS has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

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

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Panamera’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the LS 500h.

Regardless of its engine, the Panamera’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LS Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23.7 vs. 22.2 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 LS 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 LS doesn’t offer launch control.

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

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 LS doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the LS (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 245/50R19). The Panamera Turbo S/Turbo S E-Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20).

The Panamera’s standard 265/45R19 front and 295/40R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ standard 50 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 LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

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

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LS.

The Panamera GTS handles at 1.05 G’s, while the LS 500h AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Panamera GTS executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.3 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (23.7 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

The Panamera is 7.3 inches shorter than the LS, making the Panamera easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The Panamera Executive is 1.4 inches shorter than the LS.

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 LS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Panamera Sedan a Large car, while the LS is rated a Mid-size.

The Panamera Sport Turismo has 8.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LS (108 vs. 99.4).

The Panamera has .7 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear headroom than the LS.

The Panamera has a larger trunk with its rear seat up than the LS (17.6 vs. 17 cubic feet).

The Panamera Sport Turismo has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the LS (18.3 vs. 17 cubic feet).

The Panamera’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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 LS 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 LS doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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. The LS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

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 LS only retains 40.94% to 41.36%.

The Porsche Panamera outsold the Lexus LS by 11% during 2022.