Compare the2023 BMW 530eVS 2023 Porsche Panamera

The 530e’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Panamera doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 530e has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Panamera doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 530e offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 530e has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Panamera’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 530e’s standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Panamera doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The 530e’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Panamera doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 530e and the Panamera 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 and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 530e the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 192 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Panamera has not been tested, yet.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 530e for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the Panamera (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 80 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 530e’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the 530e running on electricity gets better mileage than the Panamera Sedan running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the 530e running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Panamera Sedan running its gasoline engine:

The 530e can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 19 to 21 miles. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 17 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 530e higher (7 out of 10) than the Porsche Panamera (3 to 5). This means the 530e produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Panamera every 15,000 miles.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The 530e has a standard Brake Assistant to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 530e stops shorter than the Panamera:

The 530e’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 45 series front tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 530e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Panamera doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 530e is 3 inches shorter than the Panamera, making the 530e easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The 530e is 8.9 inches shorter than the Panamera Executive.

The design of the BMW 530e amounts to more than styling. The 530e has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd (optional .28 Cd with xDrive). That is lower than the Panamera (.29 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 530e get better fuel mileage.

The 530e has 2.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Panamera (98.8 vs. 96).

The 530e has .8 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 530e easier. The 530e’s trunk lift-over height is 26.2 inches, while the Panamera’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 530e offers cargo security. The Panamera’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 530e has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Panamera doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 530e’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Panamera.

If the windows are left open on the 530e the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 530e’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Panamera’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Insurance will cost less for the 530e owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 530e will cost $2290 to $10795 less than the Panamera over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 530e will be $31630 to $108259 less than for the Porsche Panamera.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Porsche Panamera by over seven to one during 2022.