Compare the2025 Porsche PanameraVS 2025 Mercedes AMG S-Class

Both the Panamera and AMG S-Class have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Panamera has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The AMG S-Class’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

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 AMG S-Class 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 AMG S-Class doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Panamera and the AMG S-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Panamera’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG S-Class’ (12 vs. 5 years).

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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes 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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Panamera E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the AMG S-Class (21.1 vs. 20.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG S-Class (23.7 vs. 20.1 gallons).

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

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the AMG S-Class (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20). The Panamera’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG S-Class (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

The Panamera’s optional 275/35R21 front and 325/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG S-Class’ optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better maneuverability, the Panamera’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the AMG S-Class’ (39 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 1450 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG S-Class.

The Panamera is 9.3 inches shorter than the AMG S-Class, making the Panamera easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Panamera’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The AMG S-Class doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

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 AMG S-Class doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

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 AMG S-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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