2011 Porsche Panamera

The 2011 Porsche Panamera is a full-size luxury car that seats four people. While it resembles a sedan, the Panamera has a hatchback design that enhances cargo capacity. It’s a good pick for drivers seeking a large luxury car with sporty handling and lots of cargo room.

Panamera buyers can choose between a couple of muscular engines. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 generating 300 horsepower, while the top engine — which motivates the Panamera Turbo trim — is a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 producing 500 horsepower. An available Panamera Turbo kit adds modifications that boost output to 540 horsepower. All Panamera cars have a 7-speed dual-clutch automated-manual transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) are available.

Outstanding performance is this Porsche’s main draw. The Panamera is a sharp and responsive driving partner, especially notable for its excellent cornering ability, but it also impresses with its deluxe cabin. The interior shares sporty styling cues with the Porsche 911, and there are first-rate materials throughout the cabin. The Panamera also stands out with its versatile cargo area, with up to 15.7 cubic feet of cargo room with all seats in place. Thanks to its hatchback design, folding the rear seats bumps that number to 44.6 cubic feet.

The Panamera’s main weakness is its four-person seating capacity; rivals in this class have space for five. Also, the Panamera’s options are pricey and can hugely inflate the car’s cost.

Porsche Panamera Changes for 2011

• New V6-powered models

• Newly available turbocharger kit

Where the Panamera Sits in the 2011 Porsche Lineup

The Porsche product range includes cars and SUVs that are all about providing thrilling times behind the wheel. In terms of price, the Panamera slots below the 911 and above the Boxster and Cayman in the brand’s selection of cars.

2011 Porsche Panamera vs. the Competition

Large luxury cars provide a premium experience for drivers. The Panamera competes with these rivals:

• BMW 7 Series: Stellar handling and many engine options.

• Jaguar XJ: Potent engines and a big trunk.

• Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Innovative safety features and a plush cabin.

What’s the Best 2011 Porsche Panamera Trim for You?

Which Trim Is the Best Value?

The base trim is a good choice for value. It has adaptive suspension dampers, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, a sunroof, a cooled glovebox, heated front seats, navigation, leather upholstery, and an 11-speaker stereo.

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Best Trim for Fuel Economy

The Panamera’s V6 engine achieves the best fuel economy in the lineup, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined city/highway with either RWD or AWD.

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Best Trim for Cargo/Trunk Space

All Panameras except the Turbo trim have 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 44.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded. Turbo models’ space drops only slightly.

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Top-of-the-Line Trim

The Turbo is the most deluxe trim in the range. It has the 500-horsepower V8, adaptive headlights, keyless entry and ignition, heated front and rear seats, and a 14-speaker Bose stereo.

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Should I Buy an Older Porsche Panamera Instead?

The Panamera is in its first generation, which was introduced with the 2010 model. Any older first-generation model (2010) will be broadly similar to the 2011 Panamera, and you can save money by purchasing one of these used cars.

You can find a used Porsche Panamera with Carfax’s used car listings. Each used car comes with a free Carfax vehicle history report.

Research the Panamera from other model years