Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Turismo delivers power, precision, and practicality

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My first car was a wagon and I’ve loved them ever since. It was the family car that was passed down to me at 16; the 1987 Volvo 240 DL was my father’s, then my mother’s, then mine. It was my first avenue to transport freedom and the banishing of my bus pass, but more than that, it was functional.

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I helped dozens of friends move; I was the go-to guy for drive-in nights; I was the unofficial “we need a ride to the airport” guy; and it fit my guitars, amps, and drums — young Jay wanted to be a rockstar.

Sadly at some point in time, station wagons fell out of style. Enter Porsche. Yes, that same Porsche that built a reputation of creating fast, small cars — but went on to spice things up by building the Cayenne SUV. Size-wise, a gap needed to be filled and thankfully, the Panamera did that. Not only did we get the sedan form, but also received the Panamera in wagon — or shooting brake, estate, saloon, whatever you choose to call it — format, known as the Sport Turismo.

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It’s an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful machine, and one that can churn out nearly 700 horsepower. This balances the excitement of a 911 with the practicality of a Cayenne. In this case, the middle child is definitely the favourite.

What engines are available in the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo?

With seven powertrain options, including hybrid technology, my GTS tester is the sweet middle spot in the lineup.

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The GTS comes with a ferocious 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, calibrated for 473 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 4,000 rpm. A precise 8-speed PDK with crisp and unmistakable shifts covers the transmission, while active all-wheel drive comes via the Porsche Traction Management system. The Panamera bursts from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds, impressive for a vehicle that weighs nearly 6,000 pounds.

There’s also a 2.9L V6 in the base model, 4S, 4 E-Hybrid, and 4S E-Hybrid with various output levels ranging from 325 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque to 552 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque on the high end.

The most power Porsche puts into its Panamera Sport Turismo is through the V8 in the Turbo S E-Hybrid form that boasts 690 horsepower and 641 lb-ft of torque.

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How does it drive?

My drive time was split between the winding, twisting, and turning canyon roads of Topanga and the infamous urban roads of Los Angeles. The Panamera provides sheer joy when free of city road constraints; it’s designed to be ultra responsive and deliver peak performance when opened up, and it certainly delivered. Its low-slung stance gives a 911 feel, being so close to the road amplifies what this machine can and does do.

I bounced between letting the Panamera do all the shifting and doing it myself. Letting the machine take control, the shifting is nearly flawless as the needle moves upward so damn quickly and even faster on gear changes. In the time it’ll take a brain to say “OK, fingers, time to change gears” the Panamera has already completed the task. You likely can’t shift as fast as the machine, so if it’s a joint partnership between you and the car you want, let the Panamera run the shifting.

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The benefit of choosing to shift yourself means you’re in full control. More importantly, it’s a connection with the machine that’s unmatched. Personally, I’d sacrifice the speed of shifts for the emotional and physical connection to the vehicle. The Panamera’s balanced suspension, roaring engine, and precise handling do exactly what I ask as I finger tap up and down shifts.

Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual are the predictable drive modes, with the first three increasing in driving intensity and the last allowing you to concoct your own drive mode optimized for you to live your best #FastWagonLife.

With summer tires, the GTS can be (carefully) flung forward at speeds up to 292 km/h. While only a fraction of GTS drivers will ever hit that speed, it’s important to note that it’s still thrilling to drive at just a third of the top speed.

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Adaptive cylinder control, active cooling air flap control, twin scroll turbochargers, active all-wheel drive with electronic and map-controlled multi-plate clutch with automatic brake differential are a helluva start. Add in a double wishbone front axle, multi-link rear axle, adaptive air suspension, and Porsche’s 4D-chassis control and the ride quality is astounding. Top it off with standard 20-inch staggered wheels — 275/40 ZR 20 up front and 315/35 ZR 20 rear tires — and you, dear reader, are set for an awesome driving experience.

Yes, it might come across as harsh to some but the air suspension smooths out nearly all the bumps and lumps on the road.The low centre of gravity and precision suspension tuning gives the dynamics of a sports car and through most of my drive, it didn’t feel I was driving something nearly 17 feet in length.

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The canyon road bends seemed to dare the Panamera GTS Sport Turismo to make a mistake — to over/understeer, or to simply intimidate this luxury machine — but the Panamera responded perfectly with each gear change, each turn of the steering wheel, and each of my inputs to see what more this long and lean machine could do.

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How many seats are in the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo?

Four…ish. Porsche’s 4+1 seating is best described on their website: “In the Sport Turismo, with the standard 4+1 seat concept, a fifth person can enjoy the Panamera driving experience. Although not designed as a full-size individual seat, the extra space does provide a neat solution for carrying an additional passenger on short to medium distance trips.”

Interestingly, the Sport Turismo is the first Panamera to feature three rear seats. Meanwhile, up front, you’ll get standard 18-way power seats that will keep you snug and comfortable.

How much cargo space is in the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo?

Can you load in two carry-on bags and two backpacks for a road trip? Absolutely. You’ll get a decent 515L with the rear seats up and nearly triple that figure at 1,384L with the rear seats down. Golf clubs, hockey bags, groceries, some IKEA flat-packed items, guitars and a strong array of other commonly utilized items show the Sport Turismo’s versatility.

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Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo competitors

There are technically three competitors, but let’s call it three and a half.

However, with seven trim options to choose from, you’ll get the most versatility from Porsche.

If this were Europe, the list would be much longer, but North American buying behaviour is all about SUVs, CUVs, and crossovers.

Final thoughts

As long as the trend of taller/larger vehicles continues — which I’m sure it will — the wagon body style will continue to decline.  Case in point: Mercedes confirmed the elimination of the wagon from their Canadian E-Class lineup when the next generation arrives in 2024.

But if you want something with the beating heart of Porsche’s performance wrapped in a long roof body style, complete with all the luxury trimmings, the Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Turismo is worth a look. It’s likely already on the shortlist, since there aren’t many options in this segment, but it’s worth bumping up even higher — trust me.

Check out the latest Porsche Panamera model.