Large luxury cars aren’t just large luxury cars anymore. Options like the BMW 8-Series and Porsche Panamera have expanded the segment into new territory. These luxury cars bring supercar performance and cutting-edge tech features on top of lavish, spacious interiors.
The 8-Series and Panamera are two of the sportier options in the segment, but they have quite a few differences that separate the two models. In this comparison, we’ll compare the two luxury vehicles against one another to name a victor.
What the Porsche Panamera Gets Right
Porsche is known for offering its vehicles in numerous configurations and it’s the same with the Panamera. When you take all of the Panamera’s available body styles, trims, and powertrains into consideration, there are 24 different Panameras to choose from. We think that’s one too many, but consumers that enjoy having choices will love scouring through all of the available Panameras. For comparison, the 8-Series is available in 14 configurations.
The Panamera is one of the more practical options in the class. The regular Panamera has a hatchback body style with 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 47.3 cubic feet of cargo space. The available Sport Turismo wagon has up to 49 cubic feet of cargo space. The 8-Series Gran Coupe is the roomiest option in the lineup with 15.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Porsche offers the Panamera with seven different powertrains. They range from a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine up to a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine with an electric motor. Power for the Panamera ranges from 325 horsepower up to 690 hp. The quickest Panamera can get to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. The most powerful 8-Series is the M8 Competition which comes with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. Output is rated at 617 hp.
Read Our Overview of the Porsche Panamera
What the BMW 8-Series Gets Right
The 8-Series is the more affordable luxury car of the two options. Pricing for the 8-Series starts at $85,895, making it $7,955 less than the Panamera which costs $93,850. BMW isn’t known for making affordable luxury cars, but the 8-Series is the budget option in this comparison.
Both the 8-Series and Panamera come with similar tech features, but BMW’s infotainment system and tech features are easier to use. The 8-Series comes with BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system with intuitive menus, quick response times, and multiple ways to control the system. The 8-Series comes with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a Harman Kardon audio system, two USB ports, and Bluetooth.
Despite being the more affordable option of the two, the 8-Series comes with more standard safety features than the Panamera. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a head-up display, and a driver drowsiness monitor are standard on the 8-Series, but not on the Panamera.
Read Our Overview of the BMW 8-Series
Want Something Versatile Or Stylish?
Unlike the Panamera, the 8-Series focuses on being a stylish and fun large luxury car. BMW offers the 8-Series in coupe, convertible, and gran coupe body styles, all of which look amazing. While the coupe and convertible aren’t versatile, they’re showstoppers with great performance. The Panamera isn’t nearly as stylish, but it’s far more practical.
Our Verdict
We’re huge fans of the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo and the available plug-in hybrid powertrain, but the Panamera can’t match the BMW 8-Series in areas that make large luxury cars large luxury cars. The BMW 8-Series looks upscale, has intuitive tech features, offers strong performance, and is available in body styles that are fitting for the segment.
Best Luxury Cars You Can Buy In 2022
Audi A7 vs Porsche Panamera
2021 Porsche Panamera Gains Turbo S, New Plug-In Hybrid Model
A Weird Porsche Discount Could Save You $10k On A Panamera
2020 Audi A8 Plug-In Price Starts At Nearly $95k