Compare the2023 Porsche PanameraVS 2023 BMW 7 Series

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 BMW 7 Series 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 7 Series doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Panamera and the 7 Series 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, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

The Panamera has more powerful engines than the 7 Series:

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera Sedan running on electricity gets better mileage than the 7 Series:

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the 760i 4.4 turbo V8 Hybrid (21 city/24 hwy vs. 18 city/26 hwy).

The Panamera can travel with zero emissions for 17 to 19 miles (dependent on model). The 7 Series 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 7 Series doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Panamera E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 7 Series (21.1 vs. 19.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 7 Series (23.7 vs. 19.5 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 7 Series doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

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 7 Series doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the 7 Series (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20). The Panamera Turbo S/Turbo S E-Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 7 Series (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

The Panamera’s optional 275/35R21 front and 315/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 7 Series’ optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The Panamera’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the 7 Series’ (53.2% to 46.8%). This gives the Panamera more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the 7 Series’ (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the BMW 7 Series.

The Panamera Executive is 7.5 inches shorter than the 7 Series, making the Panamera easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 7 Series doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Panamera has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the 7 Series (17.6 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

The Panamera Sport Turismo has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the 7 Series (18.3 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

The Panamera’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The 7 Series doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Panamera offers an optional rear wiper. The 7 Series doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 7 Series doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Porsche Panamera comes in four door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles; the BMW 7 Series isn’t available as a station wagon.