Compare the2023 Porsche PanameraVS 2023 Tesla Model S

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Panamera are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 Model S doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Panamera offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model S only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Panamera has standard Porsche Connect, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model S doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Panamera and the Model S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and blind spot warning systems.

There are over 27 percent more Porsche dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Panamera’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Panamera’s reliability 25 points higher than the Model S.

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 Tesla vehicles. With 26 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Porsche higher than Tesla.

As tested in Car and Driver the Panamera GTS 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the Tesla Model S (base engine):

The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 525 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model S’ range is only 348 to 405 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 15 minutes for only a 49% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 82 hours and 53 minutes.

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

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 Model S doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops shorter than the Model S:

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the Model S (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. F:255/45R19 & R:285/40R19). The Panamera Turbo S/Turbo S E-Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model S (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. F:265/35R21 & R:295/30R21).

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 Model S 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. Tesla doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Model S.

The Panamera GTS handles at 1.05 G’s, while the Model S pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Panamera GTS executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the Model S (23.7 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Model S’ (37.4 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Tesla Model S.

The Panamera has 2 cubic foot more passenger volume than the Model S (96 vs. 94).

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

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Panamera’s liftgate can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model S doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Panamera to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model S.

The Panamera’s entire steering wheel hub sounds the horn, facilitating hitting the horn in an emergency. The Model S has a small, single button on the steering wheel spoke that can be hard to find quickly in an emergency.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model S, the Panamera offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Panamera offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model S doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

The Panamera’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model S doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

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 Model S doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

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

The Panamera offers optional massaging front and rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Model S.

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 Model S doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Model S 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 Model S only retains 43.76% to 48.08%.