Compare the2024 Porsche PanameraVS 2024 Audi A7

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Panamera helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard and even aims one of the vehicle’s headlights in the direction of the person or object. The A7 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

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 A7’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 A7.

Both the Panamera and the A7 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Panamera’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 13 more horsepower (348 vs. 335) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid produces 128 more horsepower (463 vs. 335) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera 4S E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid produces 201 more horsepower (536 vs. 335) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 335 more horsepower (670 vs. 335) and 317 lbs.-ft. more torque (686 vs. 369) than the A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the A7 (21.1 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the A7 (23.9 vs. 19.3 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Porsche Panamera, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A7.

For better stopping power the Panamera’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A7:

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 A7 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the Panamera has larger standard tires than the A7 (F:265/45R19 & R:295/40R19 vs. 255/40R20). The Panamera’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A7 (F:275/35R21 & R:325/30R21 vs. 255/40R20).

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 A7 55 TFSI Prestige’s optional 35 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Panamera uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the A7, 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 A7.

The Panamera has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A7’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 A7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the Panamera’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the A7’s (39 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

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 A7 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 third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

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 A7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Panamera to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The A7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The A7’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 A7 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 A7 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Panamera has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the A7.

Both the Panamera and the A7 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 A7.

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) for the front seat. Wireless charging costs extra on the A7.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Porsche Panamera outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by over two to one during 2023.