Compare the2024 Porsche PanameraVS 2024 Volvo S90

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 S90 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 S90 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Panamera and the S90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, 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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo 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 Volvo 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, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 17 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Panamera has more powerful engines than the S90:

Both the Panamera and the S90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Panameras have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S90 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 (21.1 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 8 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 (23.9 vs. 15.9 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 S90 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 S90 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Panamera’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S90:

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 S90 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the S90 (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 255/35R20). The Panamera’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S90 (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. 255/35R20).

The Panamera’s optional 325/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S90’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Panamera offers optional 21-inch wheels. The S90’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 S90, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. 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. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the S90.

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 S90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the S90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The S90’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Panamera’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The S90 Luxury Package doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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 S90 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Panamera is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Panamera to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspections based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 25% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

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 S90 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 S90 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Both the Panamera and the S90 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 S90.

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 S90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Porsche Panamera outsold the Volvo 90 Series by over two to one during 2023.