I was invited to the test drive but couldn't make it. However I did get to see it at the Porsche pavilion in Monterey and have to say that photos do not do it justice. It is a beautiful car inside and out. The exterior shape is interesting and exotic in person, and doesn't have the ungainly look of the photos. The interior of the car is fabulous except for having too many buttons compared to modern luxury cars.
The price is non-trivial, but neither is the Maserati, Mercedes, Bentley and the BMW. If I was looking for a 4 door, it would be a no brainer. I have to admit, I was rather surprised to be so impressed. After all of the questionable press and enthusiast comments, it was a great surprise.
And for those who have based their comments off of the photos, a second opinion may be in order.

 

I like "too many buttons". Compared to the experience in a Bangle-ized BMW where click-left-left-click, left button, right-right-click is necessary to raise the temperature by two degrees, having a button for every function is an ergonomic treat...

 

I agree that many people will change their opinion of this car when they see it in person. I was very impressed, Mercedes and BMW are great cars but I think there will be converts because the Panamera is such a different driving experience. As I mentioned before the real wild card is the economy.

 

I, too, drove the Panamera at the Quail this past weekend. This is a car you will have to see and sit in to appreciate. When the 356 and 911 came out many in the press criticized the shape. It is an impressive engineering and design feat. The back seat truly has plenty of room for me at 6'3", even when the driver seat is back. My wife asked about the two buckets instead of a bench in the back. The Porsche rep said to allow for the middle seat it would have raised up the seat cushion several inches to accommodate the driveshaft tunnel. I have been in the back seat of a Mercedes CLS, my head hits the ceiling.

Driving the car feels nothing like a Mercedes or BMW, it feels like a 911 except the (standard) ride is supple. I like my GT3 and would not trade it for anything, but as a 4 passenger performance sedan, I don't think the Benz or the BMW come close.

 

You make many good points. The Panamera has it all, there is no other sedan like it, and "looks" are very subjective. That's what makes horse races and the world turn. I have seen many posts in which the person indicates that the Panamera is great looking in person. The car is apparently very low for a sedan, and this is what helps make it look so good in person. I have only seen it in videos (and pictures) and in motion it looks very slick to me. I saw a video yesterday on you tube in which Jay Leno tested the car, and he remarked that it looks really good in person. Those who don't like it don't need to buy it, but even during these rough times I bet they will sell them as fast as they can make them. Porsche is respected for designing cars in which "form follows function", and the Panamera is a perfect example of this. I respect them for this and love the design. I believe that I read that Porsche brought something like 50 Panameras to the Monterey historics which were for sale, and every one was spoken for.

 

Indeed. Porsche mastered the "so ugly, it's beautiful" styling with the 911. It's hard to think of the 911 as being in any way controversial, but it certainly was for many years, and it's edged its way into the hearts of enthusiasts everywhere. The "immediately appealing" usually only lasts a couple of years before its discarded for the next "new thing". Something really has to be different and strikingly unusual to have any longevity. No one can argue that the Panamera is too "familiar" or "ordinary", and that's good for the outlook on the vehicle.

Luckily, I don't need other people to like what I'm driving; I drive what *I* like. If I wanted to please people, I'd buy a Prius ... right after my lobotomy.

 

Hey, I love my Prius! I think. Can't actually remember...