So, The 2017 Panamera Is An Improvement On The OUTSIDE, But What About Its INTERIOR? MANY All-New Changes

So, after seeing not one but two stories on the 2017 Porsche Panamera here I think it's clear: The second-gen Panamera is a step in the right direction when you consider its exterior design.

BUT, what about the interior?

2017 Porsche Panamera

The first-gen Panamera was known for having an excellent cabin, in terms of quality. Ergonomically, many were split. That's because many reviewers and even buyers became overwhelmed by the company's button-centric approach. The last time I drove a first-gen Panamera though I have to say I liked this move but what really stood out to me was the puny infotainment screen.

When compared with the likes of Lexus' and Mercedes-Benz's nearly 13-inch screens the Panamera's looked like it was from 2005.

This has all changed with the second-gen Panamera that gets a massive infotainment display and simplified, touch sensitive controls on the center console. In addition, you'll note the rest of the interior remains similar but is upgraded with more of a 991 911 look and feel. Take, for example, how the top of the dashboard juts out and is leather-trimmed. It's a subtle move but it's there.

So, is this a move in the RIGHT direction, Spies?


2017 Porsche Panamera

TheSteve - 6/29/2016 8:44:51 AM

0 Boost

Although I love the styling, outside and in, this *appears* to be the first Porsche that has forsaken tactile, accessible, real-time driver controls, and jumped onto the "put everything into a menu-driven, multi-page computer screen" bandwagon.

I'd visit a Porsche showroom to see if my suspicion is true. If it is, then that moves the new Panamera from the "slam dunk" column into the "now let's check out what the other guys have to offer."

GermanNut - 6/29/2016 10:30:48 AM

+1 Boost

The "everything on the computer screen" was going to happen. Luxury buyers, whether they previously had a BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz, were used to the screen dominating the controls. Porsche was the odd one out and its button-focused control layout looked dated and unnecessarily confusing for many buyers who were used to the screen as their primary source of information.

GermanNut - 6/29/2016 10:32:28 AM

+2 Boost

The exterior of the new Panamera is not a universal slam dunk by any means. While it's better than the current Panamera, many commenters still had mixed feelings about it.

cidflekken - 6/29/2016 11:40:45 AM

+2 Boost

This new design, both inside and out, is just missing something. It's character is gone. While handsome and nicely done, everything is almost too clean, bordering on generic. Remove the Porsche badges and hide the headlights and I'm not sure I'd be able to call this a Porsche. Not sure if that's good or bad.

cidflekken - 6/29/2016 3:56:14 PM

+1 Boost

"Generic" may not have been the word I wanted. I think "sterile" might be more appropriate.

MDarringer - 6/29/2016 4:16:18 PM

0 Boost

Generic works. The dashboard has an early seventies GM product vibe. The interior isn't terrible, but visually it doesn't seem special. You could tell someone this is the redesigned interior of the Hyundai Sonata and people would believe you. Granted, material choice is much different between the two brands, but visually the Porsche's interior is staid...and maybe that's a good thing. I don't know.

mini22 - 6/29/2016 1:25:46 PM

+2 Boost

Well it has enough Porsche design elements that it can be called a Porsche. But does the styling (while improved) break any new ground? Absolutely not!

mre30 - 6/29/2016 4:04:49 PM

0 Boost

Is it my perception or does the interior look plastic-y and cheap-o? The big screen is nice, the touch buttons are nice, but it feels awash in shiny plastic to me.

Oh, by the way, the exterior really looks an awful lot like a Tesla Model S. Now the Model S is handsome, but where four days ago, I thought the Panamera was beautiful, the more I look at it, the more it looks like they copied the proportions and packaging of the Tesla Model S. I think the Panamera will age quickly.