2019 Porsche Panamera GTS Road Test and Review

2019 Porsche Panamera GTS Grey Parked Front Three Quarter ・ Photo by Porsche

Porsche now offers the Panamera in 18 variations, spanning two body styles, two wheelbases, and seven powertrains, including hybrids and all-wheel drive models. Powered by a turbocharged V8 pumping out over 450 hp, the high-performance 2019 Porsche Panamera GTS is the latest iteration of the luxury four-door hatchback.

Although Porsche is among the greatest sports-car producers in the world, creating such icons as the Boxster and 911, the German automaker now offers an extensive lineup of machines, each offering a unique combination of style, luxury, and performance. Beyond the Panamera, which was first introduced in 2010, Porsche also offers two popular SUVs, the Macan and the Cayenne. Now in its second generation, the 2019 Panamera remains one of our favorites in the extremely competitive luxury sedan class, and the new Panamera GTS is one of the best-performing sedans in the world. It competes against the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 S, and Audi S7.

Two Body Styles to Choose From

As with its many other Panamera models, Porsche offers the new GTS in two body styles, both with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. The standard GTS "sedan" is a four-door hatchback, while the GTS Sport Turismo is basically the world’s sexiest station wagon, or "shooting brake" if you’re British. Although some Panamera models are offered with an extended 128-inch wheelbase, which increases its rear-seat legroom, the GTS is not one of them.

The GTS is the least expensive Panamera with a V8 engine. It slots between the Panamera 4S, which packs a 440-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 and carries a base sticker price of $104,050, and the 550-hp, $150,000 Panamera Turbo. GTS prices start at $129,350, including a $1,050 delivery fee, for the sedan, and $135,550 for the Sport Turismo. Both are powered by a mellowed version of the Panamera Turbo’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. All-wheel drive is standard, along with Porsche’s incredible eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and 20-inch wheels.

Photo by Porsche

Awesome Power and Performance

With all-aluminum construction, double-overhead cams, variable cam timing, twin-turbos, direct injection, iron alloy cylinder liners, and an innovative oiling system, the Panamera’s 4.0-liter is one of the most technically advanced V8s in the world. With 11.6 psi of turbo boost, it makes 453 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque.

Around town, the twin-turbo V8 is strong and perfectly matched to the quick-shifting PDK, which is among the best dual-clutch transmissions on the market. Gear changes are quick and smooth, and the transmission always seems to be in the right gear. At full throttle, each upshift comes right on the engine’s 6800-rpm redline. Using its standard launch control, which allows you to rev the engine to 5,000 rpm before releasing the brake pedal, the GTS gets to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and through the quarter mile in about 12.5 seconds. Top speed for the sedan is 181 mph and 179 mph for the Sport Turismo. Impressive? No doubt. Especially when you consider that the 2019 Porsche Panamera GTS weighs about 4,400 lbs.

Photo by Porsche

Fast, Fun, and Refined

Despite its considerable size and heft, the all-wheel drive Panamera GTS also handles like a real Porsche with sports car agility. The Panamera is a true sports sedan. It’s engaging. And it corners like a car half its size and weight. An adjustable air suspension is standard, and it's retuned firmer for the GTS. Also standard is Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package, which allows the driver to choose among Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus modes. Sport Plus radically increases the Panamera’s throttle response, retunes the transmission, and profoundly livens up the driving experience. It also lowers the car about an inch. Rear axle steering and an active anti-sway bar system, both also retuned for greater response on the GTS, are optional.

The Panamera GTS does drive with a sharper edge than other Panamera models, but in Normal mode it remains smooth, comfortable, and quiet. Despite its massive wheels and tires, the Porsche’s suspension manages to isolate its passengers from most potholes, surface changes, and other road irregularities.

Photo by Porsche

Boost Button and Incredible Brakes

Porsche says the GTS models reinforce the Panamera’s unique position as sports cars in the luxury sedan category. And we have to agree. Drive it hard the Panamera seems to shrink around you. It’s easy to forget you’re driving a big sedan. One of the Panamera’s most unique performance features has to be its Sport Response Button, which is mounted on the steering wheel. It’s like something out of "The Fast and Furious." Push it and the Panamera’s V8 gets a shot of adrenaline for 20 seconds, quickening its response. The transmission also gets a charge, switching to its most dynamic shifting program. A countdown even appears on the instrument cluster as the Panamera shoots down the road.

Massive brakes are also an important part of the Panamera GTS. It comes standard with 15.4-inch front and 14.4-inch rotors with enormous six-pistons front calipers. Not enough? For an additional $9,000, larger and lighter ceramic composite rotors are available with 10-piston front calipers. If you’re going to drive your Panamera GTS on a racetrack, they’re worth it.

Photo by Porsche

Sinister Blacked-Out Trim

To visually identify the Panamera GTS and emphasize its high-performance intentions, Porsche has added attitude to its exterior with darkened wheels and trim. The headlamps and taillights have been tinted. The tailpipes, front and rear fascias, front spoiler, side skirts, side window trim, and badging have all been blacked out. There isn’t an inch of brightwork on this car. Even the Porsche logo on its tail is dark.

Man, it looks good. Especially the Sport Turismo. Although the Panamera sedan more closely resembles the Porsche 911 sports car, the Sport Turismo is the one, with its long roof, hunkered-down silhouette and broad shoulders. People stop and stare. Larger 21-inch wheels are optional, and both body styles have retractable rear spoilers that deploy at 56 mph to aerodynamically aid stability and handling. Does it work? “Yes,” a Porsche engineer told us. “You will feel it if you do a very quick lane change at 125 mph.” Well, it looks cool nonetheless.

Photo by Porsche

Comfortable, Sporty Interior

Inside the Panamera GTS, Alcantara covers the seats, steering wheel, door panels, sun visors, and headliner. The steering wheel is heated, and 18-way power sport seats are standard. Unlike some sport seats out there, which can be too firm and narrow, the Panamera’s are comfortable. The seating position is low, which adds to the sedan’s sports car feel. Outward visibility isn’t a problem, however, and the driver’s seat is height adjustable so drivers of any height should be able to get comfortable. Optional luxuries include soft-close doors, four-zone climate controls, power rear seats, and massaging front seats.

Built quality is excellent, and the overall design works well. The buttons on the console look complicated but are actually easy to use, and the Panamera’s massive 12-inch color touchscreen is well placed and quick to respond to inputs. Plus, there’s Apple CarPlay connectivity and onboard Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the Porsche’s infotainment system isn’t as intuitive as it could be.

Photo by Porsche

Family-Friendly?

Rear passengers get rear air conditioning vents and a rear console, which offers a couple of cupholders. That’s right, the Panamera GTS is a four-seater. The Panamera GTS Sport Turismo can seat five, but its middle seat is for short folks on short drives. For most families, a more traditional sedan from Mercedes, BMW, or Audi makes more sense.

Cargo space is limited as well. The 2019 Porsche Panamera GTS offers about the same trunk space as a Porsche Macan, the brand’s smallest SUV. The Panamera GTS sedan offers 17.6 cubic feet of trunk space, which expands to 47.3 cubic feet when you fold down its rear seat. The taller roof of the Panamera Sport Turismo adds some space, but not much. It offers 18.3 cubic feet with the seats up and a maximum of 49 cubic feet of space.

Photo by Porsche

Optional Advanced Safety Systems

Despite its near $130,000 base price, the 2019 Porsche Panamera GTS doesn’t come with many standard driver aids. There are a few, including rain-sensing windshield wipers and a backup camera, but most others are optional, and even that list is limited.

Buyers can choose a head-up display, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view monitor that gives the driver a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the car, night vision, lane-keep assistance that will steer the car back in your lane for you, a blind-spot warning system, and adaptive cruise control. A rear cross-traffic alert, which has become very common on lower-priced sedan and SUVs, is not available.

Photo by Porsche

Final Thoughts

Porsche admits the sportier and more intense Panamera GTS isn’t for everybody. “Many buyers are fine with the Panamera V6 models,” one Porsche executive told us. “The GTS customer is an emotional customer.”

Although the 2019 Porsche Panamera GTS is significantly quicker than the 440-hp Panamera 4S, it doesn’t accelerate like the Panamera Turbo, and the 600-hp BMW M5 and the 603-hp Mercedes E63 S AMG are both much quicker. Cheaper too, undercutting the Porsche’s price by at least $25,000. The Porsche’s short list of safety tech and driver aids will also turn off buyers looking for the latest autonomous capability.

That said, the new Panamera GTS delivers one of the finest driving experiences in the luxury sedan class. It’s undeniably one of the best cars in the world. If you’re looking for a high-performance luxury sedan, it’s an extremely desirable choice.

Photo by Porsche