Compare the2024 Porsche PanameraVS 2024 Audi RS 5 Sportback

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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Panamera 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the RS 5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Panamera has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and automatically engage the brakes. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the RS 5 Sportback.

Both the Panamera and the RS 5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

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 Audi 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, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid produces 19 more horsepower (463 vs. 444) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 442) than the RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6. The Panamera 4S E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid produces 92 more horsepower (536 vs. 444) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 442) than the RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6. The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 226 more horsepower (670 vs. 444) and 244 lbs.-ft. more torque (686 vs. 442) than the RS 5 Sportback’s 2.9 turbo V6.

The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 5 Sportback (21.1 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 8.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 5 Sportback (23.9 vs. 15.3 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 RS 5 Sportback 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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Panamera 4S/Turbo CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RS 5 Sportback:

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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction and acceleration, the Panamera has larger standard rear tires than the RS 5 Sportback (295/40R19 vs. 265/35R19). The Panamera’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the RS 5 Sportback (325/30R21 vs. 275/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Panamera offers optional 21-inch wheels. The RS 5 Sportback’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The front and rear suspension of the Panamera uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the RS 5 Sportback, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Panamera offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the RS 5 Sportback.

The Panamera has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Panamera’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Panamera’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the RS 5 Sportback (116.1 inches vs. 111.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the RS 5 Sportback.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The RS 5 Sportback’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Panamera has a larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the RS 5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (46.9 vs. 35 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Panamera uses the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RS 5 Sportback, the Panamera has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Panamera’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 RS 5 Sportback does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Panamera’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the RS 5 Sportback’s standard power windows.

The RS 5 Sportback’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Panamera’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are optional in the Panamera to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RS 5 Sportback 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 RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Panamera and the RS 5 Sportback offer available 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 RS 5 Sportback.

The Panamera’s optional Remote ParkAssist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The RS 5 Sportback’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The RS 5 Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.