Last night I realized I can order a base model Cayenne with a manual transmission. Configuring it with the options I'd need I'm at about 63k. It's the same base engine as the Panamera, I think, and in the Panamera I don't believe one can order a manual with the awd. And the Panamera comes in at least 20k higher in price.
What is one actually paying for in the higher cost of the Panamera? What justifies such a huge premium over the Cayenne when both are equipped with a 300 hp V6 and awd?

 

Panamera has lighter weight, it is a sedan and sits lower than an SUV. With the same engine, the V6 Panamera will be much faster than a V6 Cayenne in a straight line. With a lower center of gravity, it will also handle better. The interior of Panamera is very nice with 4 individual captain seats.

Having said that, Cayenne has better utility with 5 seats and much bigger trunk.

 

I think the Panamera V6 is Porsche own engine and the Cayenne V6 engine is sourced from VW.

 

Cayenne competes in the suv class. It limits the price a little. For example when I bought my suv, I couldnt convince myself to pay considerabely more for the same engine (3.0tdi), and went with the Audi. Many parts are obviously from the same supplier.

The Panamera is another story. Its a 911 compensation for me who needs space. Its a sportscar, no car quite like it in the world. Bmw, mb and audi make saloon cars, that mostly feel like regular saloons, but handle little better and are faster.

When there is no competition, the price is always high.

Again I dont see that someone who a
wants to save a little money on a new car would go from Panamera to Cayenne. They will probably go for a cheaper saloon car, or second hand Panamera.

Whatever you take, you will buy a great car.

 

its a personal preference and no justification needs to be made. it's a completely different question if you are comparing apples to apples (not apples to oranges). i havent seen anyone who bought cayenne because it was cheaper than panamera. 2 different animals altogether.

you might want to consider if extra space means anything to you and handling, performance, etc.

 

The Panamera V6 is also VW sourced from the Audi division...

 

Only the one in the hybrid. The V6 in the base Panamera is 3/4 of the V8 from the Panamera S. It is shorter in height than the Volkswagen V6 in the Cayenne. It is not the same as the Audi V6 in the hybrid.

 

+1.

Interesting thread though as I'm rather on the fence myself between Cayenne Turbo and Panamera GTS...

 

This is an interesting choice and I dont know how it would end. The Panamera looks and feels more like a sportscar, but the Cayenne turbo in a straight line is lightning fast...

 

The GTS is gonna be way more fun to drive 95% of the time...I know it's personal preference and all, but I'd go GTS for sure! Seems like they really hit the sweet spot with that thing. Oh, I've had a 4S for a few months; words cannot describe how much fun that car is! I love it.

 

I drove a cayenne and panamera 4 over the weekend. I have to admit I was kind of disappointed in the cayenne. After I've heard so many people speak of the cayenne as the suv that handles like a sportscar, well, I thought it just felt like a nice suv. The panamera, otoh, was very very nice. But with a 911 gts cab on the way, its seems like overkill, esp at the ridiculous pricepoints. Arrows leading back toward a 5 series I'm afraid.......

 

PTT and CTT are same engine and turbos correct?

 

Yes, a REAL Porsche engine, mitsubishi turbos identical in both. Also turbo upgrade powerkit available for both. Suspect a cayenne turbo s will come soon.

 

As noted by others, the Cayenne and Panamera are two different animals. If you are going with the 6 cylinder models, the Cayenne will feel underpowered versus the Panamera. I had a loaner Panamera 4 recently, and was surprised that it felt so powerful (I thought it was a S until I saw the badge on the hatch when I got to my office). I just bought a 2011 Cayenne S, and am glad that I went for the S instead of the base model. Although the 958 is at least 400 lbs. lighter than the previous model (I previously had a 2009 Cayenne), the new Cayenne needs the 400 hp to make it feel sporty. It does handle nicely with the air suspension. Porsche did a nice job with the new Cayenne. My Panamera Turbo is a ridiculous vehicle. Even without the 500 hp, it is hands down the best handling vehicle I have owned. It is glued to the road. I have owned a manual Cayman S. The Panamera with the PDK and AWD is even more fun to drive than the Cayman. You can't go wrong with either the Cayenne or the Panamera, but you will need to decide if you want the best SUV, or the best sedan/hatchback.