2023 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo

Just when we thought that the dust had settled on the Porsche Panamera, a front-engined full-sized luxury car, the brand goes and builds a sports wagon version called the Panamera Sport Turismo. What's more, it even makes a Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo, a ballistic super wagon of sorts. The Turbo S version of the regular Sport Turismo features an extended roof and a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that produces 620 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. Couple that with an all-wheel-drive system, and this everyday family "wagon" will launch to 60 mph in only 2.9 seconds. If that's not enough, there's a hybrid variant with 690 hp combined, but because of its extra weight, it's the gas-only Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo that's actually quicker. The Audi RS6 Avant, a natural competitor, is much cheaper but also slower. This isn't your traditional Porsche, and in this 2023 Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo review, we uncover what makes it worthy of the Porsche name.

All that performance and luxury don't come cheap: the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo's price starts at $190,400 in Turbo S guise (no standard Turbo model exists) without any options or dressings. To put that into perspective, the Audi RS6 Avant is priced at a more palatable $116,500. The Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo tops the double-tonne with an asking price of $200,400 before options.

If it has a Porsche logo on the rear end, then it's safe to assume that it's going to handle and drive better than most cars, and this theory holds up with the 2023 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. It should be said that the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo isn't a lightweight car, and one can't expect the same degree of handling prowess displayed in, say, a 911 Carrera. However, this spaceship/wagon is able to cling to the curves with impressive tenacity. With over 600 hp to play with - and almost 700 hp in the case of the hybrid - a set of wide tires hooked up to an AWD system, and adaptive air suspension, the 2023 Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo dives into corners with minimal body roll and shoots out the other end like an oversized spud from a potato cannon. The steering could be a bit more communicative, but that's a small gripe. When driving like a decent human, the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo transforms into a beautifully comfortable luxury car/grand tourer. This thing delivers excellent performance any which way you drive it.

Although it's no 911 to drive along a twisty stretch of road, the new Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo wagon was never meant to be. Besides, Porsche's own 911 is not anywhere near as practical as this super wagon, a vehicle that combines speed, comfort, and decent practicality more convincingly than almost any other car on the road. Whether in gas-only or hybrid guise, the twin-turbo V8 packs enough punch to outsprint hoards of much smaller, more athletic sports cars. Look past the ridiculous performance, and this Porsche still oozes luxury and comfort. On the open road, this car decimates miles, and in town, it's as comfortable and practical as any luxury SUV. Yes, the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo's competitors cost less, and there are inevitable minor niggles that can frustrate some drivers, but all in all, it's a masterstroke.

In this price bracket, people tend to be insensitive to price hikes of any kind, so we would split open the piggy bank and go for the full-fat Porsche Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo. This insane machine features a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 gas engine that spits out 620 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque. There is a more powerful version on offer; however, the Turbo S E-Hybrid offers an even more powerful 690 hp but also costs a fair chunk of charge more and is significantly heavier. This one is our pick, but the Turbo S E-Hybrid is also a viable option, not just for the appearance of being eco-friendly but for the fact that it's stupidly powerful on the open road, and ultra-quiet when you're sneaking home late.