Compare the2025 Porsche PanameraVS 2025 Audi S6

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Panamera offers an optional Maneuvering Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The S6 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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 S6’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 S6.

Both the Panamera and the S6 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, night vision systems and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 70 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 15 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 S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 49 more horsepower (493 vs. 444) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (486 vs. 442) than the S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. 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 S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 327 more horsepower (771 vs. 444) and 295 lbs.-ft. more torque (737 vs. 442) than the S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

The Panamera E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the S6 (21.1 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the S6 (23.7 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 S6 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 S6 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Panamera 4S/Turbo CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S6:

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 S6 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops shorter than the S6:

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the S6 (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 255/35R21). The Panamera’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S6 (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. 255/35R21).

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 S6’s 35 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Panamera uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the S6, 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 S6.

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 S6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the S6.

The Panamera handles at .98 G’s, while the S6 Prestige pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Panamera executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the S6 Prestige (25 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ 74 average G’s).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The S6’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Panamera has a 4850 lbs. towing capacity. The S6 has no towing capacity.

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 S6 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 second in service department satisfaction. With a 40% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Panamera’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The S6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Panamera and the S6 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 S6.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Panamera has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S6.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.