Compare the2024 Porsche PanameraVS 2024 Audi RS 6

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 6’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 6.

Both the Panamera and the RS 6 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, night vision systems 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 Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 49 more horsepower (670 vs. 621) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (686 vs. 627) than the RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera 4 2.9 turbo V6 running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the RS 6 Performance Avant (18 city/25 hwy vs. 14 city/22 hwy).

The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 6 (21.1 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 6 (23.9 vs. 19.3 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 6 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Panamera 4S/Turbo CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RS 6:

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 6 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction and acceleration, the Panamera has larger standard rear tires than the RS 6 (295/40R19 vs. 275/35R21). The Panamera’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the RS 6 (325/30R21 vs. 285/30R22).

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 6.

For better maneuverability, the Panamera’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the RS 6’s (39 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 700 pounds less than the Audi RS 6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The RS 6’s rear seats don’t recline.

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 6 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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Panamera offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RS 6 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Panamera also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 6 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

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 6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Panamera and the RS 6 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 RS 6.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The RS 6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.