Compare the2024 Audi RS 6VS 2023 Porsche Panamera

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The RS 6’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 RS 6 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the RS 6. But it costs extra on the Panamera.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The RS 6 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Panamera doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RS 6’s optional Rear Cross-Traffic Assist 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.

Both the RS 6 and the Panamera 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 night vision systems and blind spot warning systems.

Warranty

There are over 56 percent more Audi dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RS 6’s warranty.

Engine

The RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 296 more horsepower (621 vs. 325) and 296 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 331) than the Panamera’s standard 2.9 turbo V6. The RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 178 more horsepower (621 vs. 443) and 222 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 405) than the Panamera 4S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6. The RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 166 more horsepower (621 vs. 455) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 516) than the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RS 6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Panamera:

	RS 6	Panamera
Front Rotors	16.5 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	13 inches

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The RS 6 has a standard brake assist system 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.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RS 6 has larger standard tires than the Panamera (275/35R21 vs. 265/45R19). The RS 6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Panamera (285/30R22 vs. 275/35R21).

The RS 6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The RS 6’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Panamera’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 6 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Panamera. The RS 6’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Panamera.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the RS 6 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Panamera, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

Passenger Space

The RS 6 has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

Cargo Capacity

The RS 6 Avant has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Panamera Sport Turismo with its rear seat up (30 vs. 18.3 cubic feet). The RS 6 Avant has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the Panamera Sport Turismo with its rear seat folded (63.8 vs. 49 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the RS 6 easier. The RS 6’s trunk lift-over height is 23.7 inches, while the Panamera’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

Ergonomics

The RS 6’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, 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 RS 6 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. 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 RS 6’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the RS 6 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Panamera doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RS 6 has a standard rear wiper. A rear wiper costs extra on the Panamera.

Laser headlights, standard on the RS 6, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Panamera’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RS 6 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Panamera doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RS 6 has standard extendable sun visors. The Panamera doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RS 6 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Panamera.

The RS 6’s optional Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Panamera doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Audi A6/S6/RS 6 outsold the Porsche Panamera by almost two to one during 2023.