2025 Porsche Panamera Turbo SE-Hybrid

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A Lightning Quick PHEV

Porsche is pulling back on its goal of having half of its lineup converted to hybrid or all-electric powertrains by 2026. However, for 2025, it will offer the excellent Taycan four-door sports sedan and its Macan SUV as all-electric vehicles. If a hybrid vehicle is in your future, the automaker currently offers two models that combine eco-friendly mileage with the racing-inspired high-performance characteristics that Porsche is known for. These are the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid SUV and the Panamera Turbo SE-Hybrid four-door sedan.

The Panamera first appeared at the Auto Shanghai International Automobile Show in 2009, with the hybrid version appearing in 2011. The plug-in hybrid version is the SE-Hybrid and it first appeared in America in 2013. Its second generation was released in 2016 and the current third generation was introduced in 2023. The full-size front-engine four-door luxury hatchback is a hit stateside and the newest PHEV comes with more standard equipment than other Panamera models.
Today, we have the pleasure of driving the third generation all-new 2025 Panamera Turbo SE-Hybrid. It is packed with high-tech tricks including Porsche Active Ride, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, rear-axle steering for tight turning, and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus all as standard equipment. The Turbo SE-Hybrid is the top-of-the-line version of the Panamera that sports a mind-melting 771-horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque through the magic that happens when Porsche combines as twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (good for 591 horses) with a 187-hp electric motor. 

This Panamera will take you an EPA estimated 40 miles on electric power only. Most Americans travel fewer than 40 miles per day, so for them, the new Porsche hatch is both a practical EV and a long-distance performance car.

All that impressive power makes it to the pavement thanks to a silky smooth eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A new active ride system includes a two-valve damper, an air-spring, and a motor-pump at each wheel to keep the Panamera totally flat no matter what twists and turns you put it through. We're talking zero roll and dive, and Porsche Active Ride (PAR) is standard on the Turbo SE-Hybrid.

More Tricks

Besides the overall beauty of this stallion, one of the first things you'll notice when walking up on the Panamera is how low the car is. Its stance is made for hugging the road. Because of this, the Porsche engineers developed a cool little detail. When you open any of the four doors, the car "rises" 2.2 inches instantly to greet you. When the doors are closed, it lowers back down to its road-ready mode. Thanks to PAR, the headlights don't dip when braking and the vehicle doesn't roll in the corners… at all. 

Give the accelerator a blip and this Porsche springs to life, blasting you through corners with the greatest of ease and the only compression on tap comes from the excellent Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. In Sport Plus Mode, the vehicle lowers another 1.4-inches, increasing negative camber and further improving grip.
When it comes to sheer blast offs, Porsche says the Turbo SE-Hybrid will rocket you from zero to 60 mph in a breath-stealing 2.8 seconds and top speed is 202 mph on summer tires. Naturally, a car that goes this fast needs to stop quickly as well. That is accomplished through 10-piston front and four-piston rear binders and massive cross-drilled carbon-ceramic rotors. In fact, the 440-millimeter front rotors are the largest ones I've ever seen on a production vehicle.

This beast feels completely different when driving along around town to the market or dropping the kids off at school. In Electric Mode it can be sedate and calm, giving you enough all-electric range for a typical day and it will fully charge in less than four hours at home.

In the Cabin

Once inside the SE Hybrid you'll notice the kind of rich, refined materials that Porsche is known for. Your smartphone fits nicely inside the wireless charging pad in the cubby just above the cup holders, and there's plenty of room for other odds and ends inside the felt-lined center console. Touch the on/off button and this plug-in hybrid is ready for the road.

The digital dashboard includes a 12.6-inch curved glass display for gauges and a 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Porsche's latest software. A second 10.9-inch screen in front of the front seat passenger completes the high-tech look. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. While an excellent 14-speaker Bose sound system is standard, a 21-speaker 3-D system by Burmester may be had for an additional $5,940.
When it comes to driver assist technology the SE-Hybrid comes with adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, and blind-sport monitoring.
Ergonomically, the Panamera offers plenty of headroom and comfortable, perfectly shaped leather seating for long hauls. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel is perfectly positioned to do your bidding. There is also remarkable room in the backseat with ample leg and head room. 

Passengers have their own sunroof, USB-C ports, climate control and vents in the back. There are even accommodations for child seats. Open the rear hatchback and you'll find 15 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seat and 44 cubic feet with the rear seats stowed.

On the Road

Pulling out of the driveway, you'll notice that the car is completely silent, working on electric power only. It won't engage the gasoline engine unless you really press down on the accelerator. Amazingly, you won't feel any lag when doing this as switching between electric and gas power happens seamlessly.

The turning radius is truly remarkable thanks to the car's rear axle steering and road noise is almost nonexistent. Porsche Active Ride makes for an extremely smooth and comfortable ride. Even going over railroad tracks is enjoyable. But if you've got a need for speed, Launch Mode is on hand, and it is incredibly easy to activate. In Sport Plus Mode, just hold your foot on the brake pedal, build up the revs on the accelerator and let her rip.
Find a road with plenty of curves and the SE-Hybrid truly comes to life. The chassis control is awe-inspiring, and the steering is pure Porsche precision with plenty of feedback. Torque Vectoring at the back lets you put down the power to perfection. While the eight-speed automatic transmission is flawless, you can also engage manual mode and use the aluminum shifter paddles on the steering wheel. Gear changes are immediate. 

In fact, blasting around in this thing made us really think about what Porsche has done here. They have given us a true driver's car that is capable of both friendly commuting and fuel economy as well as the white-knuckle thrills that are usually the domain of racetrack days. That's what over 700 horsepower will do. In one word, the SE-Hybrid is completely "exhilarating." 
The Wrap Up
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Porsche Panamera Turbo SE-Hybrid. It is both a speed demon and a commuter car for the whole family. At the end of the day, it is a hybrid four-seater that costs north of 200,000 clams. Plus, options can be very spendy as well. Remember the Burmeister stereo? It kind of makes the Porsche Taycan seem like a really good deal for an uber-fast four-door all-electric Porsche that starts at just $99,400 MSRP.

Starting MSRP - $226,500.