Compare the2023 Porsche PanameraVS 2023 Mercedes CLS

The Porsche Panamera has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 CLS doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Panamera’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the CLS.

Both the Panamera and the CLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Panamera’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CLS’ (12 vs. 5 years).

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 20 points higher than the CLS.

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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Panamera 4S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 81 more horsepower (443 vs. 362) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 369) than the CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid produces 93 more horsepower (455 vs. 362) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 369) than the CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Panamera GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 111 more horsepower (473 vs. 362) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 369) than the CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 328 more horsepower (690 vs. 362) and 272 lbs.-ft. more torque (641 vs. 369) than the CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Panamera is faster than the Mercedes CLS:

As tested in Motor Trend the Panamera GTS 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the CLS 450:

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

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

The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CLS (23.7 vs. 21.1 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 CLS 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 CLS doesn’t offer launch control.

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

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 CLS doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops much shorter than the CLS:

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

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

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 CLS 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. Mercedes doesn’t offer an active suspension on the CLS.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Panamera’s wheelbase is .4 inches longer than on the CLS (116.1 inches vs. 115.7 inches). The Panamera Executive’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the CLS (122 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 1.6 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CLS.

The Panamera’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the CLS’ (54% to 46%). This gives the Panamera more stable handling and braking.

The Panamera GTS handles at 1.05 G’s, while the CLS 450 4MATIC pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Panamera GTS executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the CLS 450 4MATIC (23.7 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the CLS’ (37.4 feet vs. 39 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 CLS 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 CLS 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 CLS is rated a Compact.

The Panamera has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLS (96 vs. 93).

The Panamera has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the CLS.

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

The Panamera has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the CLS (17.6 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

The Panamera Sport Turismo has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the CLS (18.3 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Panamera’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CLS doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

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 CLS 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 CLS doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 CLS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Panamera and the CLS have standard heated front seats. The Panamera also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CLS.

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

Both the Panamera and the CLS offer optional 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 CLS.

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 CLS.

The Porsche Panamera comes in four door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles; the Mercedes CLS 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 CLS only retains 41.06%.