“If you like gadgets, buy one. If you just like to get in a performance car and go, look for something else.”
2018 Porsche Panamera: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2018 Porsche Panamera is the arrival of the 680-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid as the new flagship. The second-generation design carries over, but the range grows with several new variants and some added standard equipment.
About the 2018 Porsche Panamera
2nd generation (971), second model year; major U.S. lineup expansion year with new base, AWD, Executive, E-Hybrid, and Turbo S E-Hybrid variants.
Porsche positions the Panamera as the sports car among luxury sedans: a four-door model that aims to deliver real Porsche performance and driver engagement without giving up long-distance comfort, rear-seat usefulness, or hatchback-style practicality. Compared with rivals, its main draw is that it feels much more like a performance car from the driver’s seat while still serving as a premium everyday luxury car.
The 2018 Panamera range stretches from a 330-hp rear-wheel-drive base model to AWD V6 and V8 versions, plug-in hybrids, and long-wheelbase Executive models focused on rear-seat comfort. Standouts include the 462-hp 4 E-Hybrid, the 550-hp gasoline Turbo, and the 680-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid, while the cabin centers on a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and Apple CarPlay.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The 680-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid joined the range with a plug-in hybrid V8 and standard all-wheel drive, becoming the new Panamera flagship.
Lineup
The range added the 4 Sport Turismo, 4S Sport Turismo, Turbo Sport Turismo, 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive, and Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.
Tech
LED headlights became standard on the base Panamera, 4, 4 E-Hybrid, 4 E-Hybrid Executive, 4 Executive, and 4S.
Safety
A rearview camera became standard on the rear-wheel-drive base Panamera and the AWD Panamera 4.
2018 Porsche Panamera specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 2.9 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.0 Liter | V6, Hybrid, Twin Turbo, 2.9 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 2.9 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 2.9 Liter | V8, Hybrid, Twin Turbo, 4.0 Liter | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.0 Liter | V6, Hybrid, Twin Turbo, 2.9 Liter | V6, Hybrid, Twin Turbo, 2.9 Liter | V8, Hybrid, Twin Turbo, 4.0 Liter | V8, Hybrid, Twin Turbo, 4.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | RWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid | Plug-In Hybrid | Plug-In Hybrid | Plug-In Hybrid |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | ||||||
| MPG Highway | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | 26 mpg | 23 mpg | ||||||
| Horsepower | 330 hp | 440 hp | 330 hp | 550 hp | 330 hp | 440 hp | 330 hp | 550 hp | 440 hp | 550 hp | ||||||
| Torque | 331 lb-ft | 405 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 567 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 405 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 567 lb-ft | 405 lb-ft | 567 lb-ft | 567 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 567 lb-ft | 567 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 4850 lb | 4850 lb | 4850 lb | 4850 lb | 7716 lb | 4850 lb | 4850 lb | 4850 lb | 4850 lb | 4850 lb | 7716 lb | 7716 lb | ||||
| Trunk/Cargo | 17.6 cu-ft | 17.6 cu-ft | 17.6 cu-ft | 17.6 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 17.6 cu-ft | 17.6 cu-ft | 17.6 cu-ft | 18.3 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 18.3 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 15 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft | 15 cu-ft | |
| Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | ||||||||||
| MPGe Combined | 46 | 49 | 46 | 46 | 49 | 49 | ||||||||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||||||||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||||||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||||||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||||||||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||||||||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||||||||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||||||||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||||||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||||||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||||||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||||||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||||||||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||||||||||||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||||||||||||
| Dual Power Rear Seats | ||||||||||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||||||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||||||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||||||||||||
| Leather Interior Trim | ||||||||||||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||||||||||||
| Memory Front Seats | ||||||||||||||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | ||||||||||||||||
| Power Steering | ||||||||||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||||||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||||||||||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||||||||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2018 Porsche Panamera?
The biggest change is the new 680-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid flagship. It combines a twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor and standard all-wheel drive, placing a plug-in hybrid at the top of the 2018 range.
Is the 2018 Porsche Panamera a new generation?
No. The 2018 Panamera is the second model year of the second-generation car, so its basic design and structure carry over while the lineup expands.
Which 2018 Porsche Panamera models are plug-in hybrids?
The 462-hp plug-in hybrid system appears in the 4 E-Hybrid, 4 E-Hybrid Executive, and 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo. The 680-hp system powers the Turbo S E-Hybrid, Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive, and Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.
What does Executive mean on a 2018 Porsche Panamera?
Executive means a longer-wheelbase Panamera with more emphasis on rear-seat comfort. Depending on the trim, its equipment includes power rear comfort seats, heated rear seats, rear sunblinds, and four-zone climate control.
Did the base 2018 Panamera and Panamera 4 gain standard equipment?
Yes. LED headlights and a rearview camera became standard on both the rear-wheel-drive base Panamera and the AWD Panamera 4 for 2018.
2018 Porsche Panamera Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Porsche Panamera.
4.3
2018 Porsche Panamera
(70 reviews)
“Great performance and handling, not too big to enjoy driving, but can take lots with us. Beautiful car, comfortable and sporty.”
“The car looks great and he interior is designed great. Lots of bells and whistles. Unfortunately, I've had several disappointments. The pickup when not in sport mode is disappointing, there's a pause. The moonroof looks great, but it hardly opens up. Both things unfortunately I have to accept.”
Sources
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:65Fc25C0 794B 413C 88Db Af52Bd3E467E / Panamera 4 E hybrid and Executive Models Press Kit
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:C3B9E98C 6026 4753 A3E5 E5C5A77962B8 / PCNA18 0108 us
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:3F7B3E45 1F59 4373 A4Fa Fd273A05Ca75 / PCNA18 0109 us
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:Baa79D62 86A0 4Cf5 9Eea 5776D1E96B40 / PCNA18 0114 us
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:C629E2C4 A8Db 46Ad 9A14 3E9B59A3Cc90 / 2018 Porsche Panamera Technical Information
- newsroom.porsche.com — en US / Products / Panamera 4 E Hybrid 19908
- newsroom.porsche.com — en US / Products / Panamera Turbo S E Hybrid Debut 19945
- newsroom.porsche.com — en US / Products / New 2018 Panamera Turbo S E Hybrid Sport Turismo 19968
- newsroom.porsche.com — Products / Porsche Panamera Executive Models Los Angeles Auto Show 13127