Porsche Panamera Interior Evolution: Redefinining The 2+2 Formula Over Three Generations

Original Porsche Panamera (2009-2016)

Inside the original Panamera, you’ll instantly notice bits and pieces of the 997 911, including the steering wheel with a cheap-feeling plastic center and the PDK shifter. It features the classic five-pod instrument cluster with the tachometer right in the middle, just like a 911.

Now, the first-gen Panamera doesn’t have a fancy central control system like some other cars. Instead, you’ve got a whole bunch of buttons and knobs – over 80 of them! While they’re all laid out logically, it could feel cheap if you opt out of most options and you’re left with many blank buttons on the center console. However, you might even prefer such a layout to those complicated on-screen menus. Speaking of screens, there are only two: one of them is situated in the instrument cluster, and the other is situated above the center console. The infotainment display size is similar to what you get in a 718 Cayman/Boxster, but it lacks the support of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is expected from a car that’s this old.

As for the seats, the original Panamera came with a 2+2 layout and should be comfy and supportive, whether you’re carving corners or cruising on a road trip. There’s plenty of space in the back for even your tallest friends. And get this: Porsche even fitted rear seats with power adjustments, heating, and cooling! The trunk is surprisingly spacious, too, at up to 15.7 cubic feet, thanks to that hatchback design. Just be aware that the opening is a bit narrow, and the floor is high, so loading bulky stuff might require extra muscle.

Second generation (2016-2024)

When the second-generation Panamera arrived, major technological improvements were made to the cabin. For example, the circular instrument dials were replaced by modern-looking digital displays flanking the center analog tachometer, just like the 992.1-gen 911 models. It is worth noting that, the cockpit view is very similar to the pre-facelift third-generation Porsche Cayenne, with a similar rounded steering wheel and an updated 12.3-inch touchscreen display supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Porsche also eliminated most of the problems associated with the first-gen models, such as the plastic buttons on the center console. Instead, it went for touch-capacitive ones, which look and feel posh. However, those glossy surfaces are prone to scratches and smudges if you’re not being careful.

The second-generation Panamera isn’t just about tech. Porsche offered better comfort and luxury features, making it more desirable than the first-gen model. Features such as up to 18-way power-adjustable front seats, heated/ventilated front and rear seats with massage, power-adjustable rear seats, and the high-end Burmester sound system make the second-gen Panamera a desirable sports sedan, even if you get a used one.

The layout is still 2+2 by default, like the first-gen Panamera, but for the first time, Porsche offered the Sport Turismo wagon version of the Panamera, which had three seats at the rear. The rear-seat headroom could be limited due to the sedan’s sloping roofline, unlike the wagon-like design of the first-gen Panamera. The second-generation Panamera offers up to 17.6 cubic feet of trunk space with the rear seats in place, a couple more cubes than the first-generation Panamera.

Latest third-generation Porsche Panamera (2024-present)

In my opinion, the latest Porsche Panamera is the best among the three generations simply because it appears more technologically advanced and more upmarket than before. The interior layout is different right from the get-go. Features such as a standard panoramic sunroof and a standard heated steering wheel elevate the cabin experience without you paying more for options. Speaking of the steering wheel, you get a rotary dial to control the driving modes, which comes whether you opt for the Sport Chrono package or not.

Like the 992-generation 911, the new Panamera features a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but the dashboard layout resembles the Taycan EV. Gone is the center analog tachometer and two digital displays on the sides. A single 12.6-inch curved driver information display replaces them. The 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display stays the same as before but features an updated operating system that’s more feature-rich and snappier. In addition, the third generation Panamera has an optional 10.9-inch touchscreen display on the front passenger side. This $1,630 option is great to keep your co-passenger entertained while you concentrate on the road: a feature that’s adopted from the Taycan but now comes with the facelifted Cayenne and the Macan EV.

From the comfort side, the new Panamera comes standard with 14-way power-adjustable front seats, as opposed to the eight-way powered units from the outgoing model. Both seats are heated, and they look and feel posh. As for the rear seats, there are two bucket-type seats as standard, but you can now get three seats without the Sport Turismo wagon, which doesn’t exist for this generation yet. Cargo space remains similar to that of the outgoing second generation at 17.4 cubic feet with the rear seats in place.

Summing up the Porsche Panamera’s cabin through the generations

Step inside any generation of the Panamera, and you’ll constantly be reminded that you’re in a Porsche. The way the German automaker has retained iconic 911 touches throughout all three generations makes this luxury sedan feel truly authentic. You might not be able to afford a 911, but Porsche ensures you won’t mistake the Panamera for another luxury sedan on the market. The interior quality, fit, and finish have improved in the same way that the 911’s interior has evolved over the years.

Technology is a major factor that has also evolved significantly, with a dramatic leap from the first to the second generation compared to the transition from the second to the third. So, if you find a good deal on a second-generation Panamera (and they do depreciate significantly, making it possible to find a bargain on the used car market), it’s definitely worth considering. Unlike the all-new, fully digitalized third-generation models, the second generation offers a compelling blend of analog feel and moderate digitalization.