2016 Porsche Panamera

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Porsche Panamera
Pictured: Porsche 972 Turbo E-Hybrid IMG 0445. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
/S 4dr Hatchback RWD, 4/4s 4dr Hatchback AWD, 4s Executive 4dr Hatchback AWD, Gts 4dr Hatchback AWD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.8L 8-cyl
Horsepower
310–416 hp
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 23 city / 29 hwy
Length
197.6–203.5 in
Curb weight
3,902–4,409 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2016 large car (21.2 MPG).
  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 30 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Porsche Panamera is a large car offered with 4 engines (3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.8L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 198 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,902 lb (/S 4dr Hatchback RWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (23 city / 29 highway), 18% better than the 2016 large car average of 21.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Panamera — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Panamera →

Trims, performance & features

Engine310 hp3.6L 6-cyl
Engine416 hp3.0L 6-cyl plug-in hybrid

Trims

Base (2WD), 4 (4WD)S E-Hybrid

Built in: Leipzig, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2016 Panamera configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
/S 4dr Hatchback RWD197.6 in76 in55.9 in115 in65 / 64.2 in3,902 lb54/46
4/4s 4dr Hatchback AWD197.6 in76 in55.9 in115 in65 / 64.2 in4,012 lb54/46
4s Executive 4dr Hatchback AWD203.5 in76 in56.3 in120.9 in65 / 64.2 in4,409 lb54/46
Gts 4dr Hatchback AWD197.6 in76 in55.5 in115 in65 / 64.2 in4,244 lb54/46
S E-Hybrid 4dr Hatchback RWD197.6 in76 in55.9 in115 in65 / 64.2 in4,409 lb54/46
Turbo/Turbo S 4dr Hatchback AWD197.6 in76 in55.9 in115 in65 / 64.2 in4,343 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Panamera S E-Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (AM-S8)Rear-Wheel Drive23 / 29 / 25+18%$3,300229
Panamera3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (AM-S7)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 28 / 22+4%$3,750413
Panamera 43.6L 6-cylAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-1%$3,900422
Panamera S3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-1%$3,900430
Panamera 4S3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-1%$3,900430
Panamera 4S Executive3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 20-6%$4,100437
Panamera GTS4.8L 8-cylAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19-10%$4,350480
Panamera Turbo Executive4.8L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive15 / 24 / 18-15%$4,550488
Panamera Turbo S4.8L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive15 / 24 / 18-15%$4,550483
Panamera Turbo4.8L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive15 / 24 / 18-15%$4,550483
Panamera Turbo S Executive4.8L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive15 / 24 / 18-15%$4,550488
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
9/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.2 MPG2016 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Porsche Panamera.

Similar 2016 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Porsche Panamera (this car)25 MPGNot rated4
2016 BMW 5 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class23 MPG★★★★★0
2016 BMW 7 Series24 MPGNot rated0
2016 Audi A630 MPG★★★★★3
2016 Lexus LS20 MPGNot rated0
2016 Tesla Model S315 miNot rated10

Recalls (4)

Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Aug 30, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V656000 · 222,858 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jul 17, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V533000 · 7,517 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2016-2017 911 and Boxster, 2016 Cayman and Panamera vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Risk
Deactivated air bags increase the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 13, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB4.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) · Jun 12, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V446000 · 99,665 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, 2004-2010 Cayenne, 2006 Cayenne Turbo S, 2010-2016 Panamera S, Panamera 4 S, Panamera Turbo, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4, 2012-2013 Panamera Turbo S, 2013-2016 Panamera 4 GTS, 2014-2016 Panamera 4 S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive, Panamera Turbo S G1 II, Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2013 Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, Panamera Platinum Edition, 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition, Panamera Turbo S Executive Luxury Sports vehicles. The bushing that attaches the gear selector lever to the gearbox may degrade over time, causing the bushing to detach. This condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. Owners are instructed to use the parking brake until their vehicle is repaired. The recall began August 9, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKB1.
Electrical System · Apr 24, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V322000 · 33,206 vehicles

Problem
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2010-2016 Panamera 4S and Panamera S, 2011-2016 Panamera, Panamera 4 and Panamera Turbo, 2012-2016 Panamera Turbo S and Panamera S E-Hybrid, 2013-2016 Panamera GTS, 2013 Panamera Platinum Edition and Panamera 4 Platinum Edition, 2014-2016 Panamera 4S Executive, Panamera Turbo Executive and Panamera Turbo S Executive, 2015 Panamera Diesel and 2016 Panamera 4 Edition, Panamera Edition and Panamera Turbo S Exclusive Series vehicles. Water may enter the A/C blower control unit, causing an electrical short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short increases the risk of fire.
Fix
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower control unit, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 10, 2020. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKA7. Note: Porsche recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Porsche Panamera is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

3Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
60,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Visibility/Wiper1
Exterior Lighting1
Service Brakes1
Power Train1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/09: 122/10: 123/08: 119/0922/1023/08max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Porsche Panamera buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Visibility/Wiper — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Exterior Lighting — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Service Brakes — 1 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Porsche Panamera. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Panamera years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Panamera21198.8 inNot rated21
2025 Panamera21198.8 inNot rated32
2024 Panamera21198.8 inNot rated22
2023 Panamera22198.8 inNot rated12
2022 Panamera22198.8 inNot rated11
2021 Panamera22198.8 inNot rated42
2020 Panamera23198.8 inNot rated25
2019 Panamera23198.8 inNot rated20
2018 Panamera24198.8 inNot rated812
2017 Panamera24198.8 inNot rated61
2015 Panamera25197.6 inNot rated36
2014 Panamera25197.6 inNot rated314

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Porsche. How we calculate this →