Compare the2026 Porsche PanameraVS 2025 Audi S7

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 S7 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 S7’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 S7.

Both the Panamera and the S7 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’ 2025 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 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 16 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

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 S7’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 S7’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 S7’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 S7’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera running on electricity gets better mileage than the S7:

The Panamera E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the S7 (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 S7 (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 S7 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 S7:

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 S7 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the S7 (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 255/35R21). The Panamera’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S7 (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 S7’s 35 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Panamera uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the S7, 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 S7.

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 S7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Audi S7.

The Panamera has 1.4 inches more front headroom and 5.2 inches more front legroom than the S7.

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 S7 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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 42% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

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 S7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The S7’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 S7 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 S7 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Panamera and the S7 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 S7.

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 S7.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Porsche Panamera outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by almost three to one during 2025.