2021 Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo: The 100 MPG Supercar

What do you call a five-passenger station wagon that accomplishes the benchmark 0-60 sprint in 3.1 seconds, tops out at 182 mph, has a cruising range of 500 miles, and can effortlessly squeeze upwards of 100 miles out of each gallon of fuel? Based on my recent experience, I’d call this astonishing Jack-of-all-trades “supercar” the 2021 Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.

Porsche introduced the world to the Panamera a little more than a decade ago and the automaker’s first four-door sedan quickly became one of the German automaker’s success stories as it was able to transport up to five passengers (and their luggage) at rapid velocities with premium luxury appointments.

Fast forward 11 years, and today’s Panamera – a third-generation iteration – has grown to full maturity. The four-door, which is now offered also in a Sport Turismo (wagon) body style for additional utility, offers even more performance, technology, and amenities than any of its predecessors. The Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, which is the subject of this review, slots nearly in the middle of the Panamera lineup in terms of price and performance – I’d argue it’s the sweet spot in the family.

Lift the hood of the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid to find one of the most complex, and potent, gasoline-electric power plants in the industry. The combustion component is a twin-turbocharged, 2.9-liter, V6. (It’s a robust engine on its own – used in the automaker’s Macan and Cayenne without its hybrid components). Sandwiched between the engine and the 8-speed dual-clutch “PDK” automatic is a 134-hp electric motor, which adds up to a combined 552 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. (Don’t worry about putting the power to the pavement, as Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive, which splits the power between the front and rear wheels based on available grip, is standard.)

That’s an incredibly powerful combination, but it gets better as Porsche has also included a 17.9 kWh battery pack with plug-in capabilities. Fully charged, it delivers upwards of 30 miles of pure-EV driving (ignore the EPA’s ridiculously conservative rating of 18 miles). Fuel economy varies based on driving route and style. Owners with a very short commute may never need to visit a gas station, while those with a 50-mile commute will only use a gallon of gasoline – for the sake of comparison, figure it will deliver about 25 mpg overall once the battery is depleted. 

While the body style of the Sport Turismo is distinctive, occupants in the front seats would be unable to notice a difference between the Panamera’s wagon and sedan models – they are identical. As is the case with the Panamera sedan, the passenger cabin of the Panamera Sport Turismo is accommodating for four adults, who are each coddled in sport seats that are very supportive and comfortable (it’s a GT, which means long-distance cruising is effortless). 

Those in the rear outboard positions have first-class seating, with large windows and countless available amenities (such as rear climate control, heated seats, entertainment screens), but the fifth passenger will be forced to straddle the center console – uncomfortable for any extended period. The rear hatch opens wide to swallow large objects and the second row of seats fold (40:20:40) surprisingly flat to accommodate oversize items. Note: The Sport Turismo has a lower deck height than the standard Panamera to make loading easier.   

Driver and front passenger face Porsche’s Advanced Cockpit, which features a vivid 12.3-inch full-HD touchscreen running the latest version of Porsche Communication Management (PCM). The interface provides the driver with an incredible amount of information and the layout is configurable and customizable. Unfortunately, it is complex, and it takes some time to acclimate – it will be intimidating during a test drive, but after several days most everything becomes familiar. 

To put the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo through its paces, my wife and I took a 500-mile road trip to Palm Springs, California. I chose a varied route to include highway cruising, stop-and-go traffic, and urban driving. Despite a wide variance in climate – temperatures ranged from the low-60s to more than 100° F in the warm desert – the passenger cabin of the Porsche was always comfortable.

Dynamically, the Sport Turismo drives like a large vehicle. Nearly two feet longer than a 911 (and several inches wider), it rides on a wheelbase that is 116” – about 20” longer than that of the 911. As expected, stability at all speeds is exemplary and the ride on the adaptive air dampers (PASM) is comfortable – it is on the firm side of the scale without every feeling floaty. Rear-axle steering helps virtually shorten the wheelbase and it noticeably decreases the turning radius while further improving stability. The driving mannerisms are definitely “Porsche” – fun and sporty.  

Curb weight is high (figure about 5,200 pounds) yet the performance of this plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid is extraordinarily strong – and that’s an understatement. 

With a snarling soundtrack (a nod to the optional Porsche Sport Exhaust), the wagon is a rocket under full boost. Porsche estimates a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds; however, my testing (using a very accurate GPS-based Dragy Performance Meter) delivered the same sprint in just 3.15 seconds. My measured 0-100 mph time was a brisk 8.34 seconds – as quickly as most passenger vehicles reach 60 mph, which is astonishing when you consider that the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid delivers better fuel efficiency than most of today’s so-called “economy” cars. 

The magic of the E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is found with the plug-in hybrid powertrain. 

I’ve got a Level 2 charger at home, so each morning I’d wake to the onboard 17.9 kWh battery pack at 100 percent. The first 25-30 miles, whether running errands, carpools, or to the office, were combustion-free. After that, the vehicle would run in “Hybrid” mode, conserving fuel for only when it is necessary – each time the brakes are applied, automatic regeneration sends power back to the battery (in this mode, the E-Hybrid Sport Turismo delivers about 25 mpg). 

Efficiency depends on trip distance. In other words, drive 55 miles after a full charge and the Porsche has used one gallon of fuel – this works out to about 55 mpg. Drive 100 miles and it will deliver about 35 mpg overall. Or drive just 36 miles a day before recharging (more than most consumers drive daily), and the E-Hybrid Sport Turismo will average about 100 mpg. On our trip to Palm Springs, we averaged about 30 mpg on the way to the desert, and about 25 mpg on the return trip (we didn’t have an opportunity to charge at the hotel).

The E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is one of the most comfortable, most fuel-efficient, and fastest vehicles that my wife and I have ever taken on a road trip – that’s strong praise.

With a $119,000 base price (and an as-tested price of $142,360), the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo isn’t for everyone. Those focused on seeking a voluminous passenger cabin – especially for those in the second row – a soft and cushy ride, or a tall ride height to see over traffic should look elsewhere.

Yet those who are pursuing something with a unique appearance, excellent driving dynamics, impressive efficiency, and performance on par with a sports car will enjoy the 2021 Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo – it’s my favorite, and most recommended, in the comprehensive Panamera lineup.