BMW 6 Series vs Porsche Panamera
What's the difference?

BMW 6 Series

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2018 price

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Porsche Panamera

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2024 price

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Alfa Romeo Giulia

Aston Martin DB11

Aston Martin DBS

Aston Martin Vanquish

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Summary

2018 BMW 6 Series

2024 Porsche Panamera

By Matt Campbell

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Twin Turbo V6, 2.9L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.0L/100km (combined)

9.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Heaps of space
Feels plush
Good standard equipment

One of the best-looking in segment
Power and performance
Robust safety features

Dislikes

Expensive
Feels big on the road
A bit of a weird car, really

Cabin not the most practical
Ongoing ownership costs
Pricey options

2018 BMW 6 Series Summary

What happens when you struggle to sell an odd-bod, not-quite-a-coupe, sort-of-a-hatchback, almost-an-SUV model? Well, sometimes it gets axed, and replaced with a new model that bears a new name.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell for the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, which was formerly the 5 Series GT. It essentially takes the place of the 6 Series Gran Coupe - an alternative to the regular 5 Series sedan that's more attainable than a 7 Series limousine.

Confused? It's not as difficult as all that sounds - you just need to know that this model, the 2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, is supposed to offer a neat alternative to the go-to family luxury car or SUV.

I spent some time in the entry-level 630i to see if it can deliver on that promise. In fact, I spent more than 24 hours driving the BMW 6 Series GT over the past week, and I don't have a sore back, I haven't been left scratching my head over the intended purpose, I haven't been uncomfortable, and I haven't been left wanting for much.

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2024 Porsche Panamera Summary

Australia hasn't had what you'd call a love affair with the Porsche Panamera. Especially compared to the on-going romance with its iconic sibling, the 911 and even its SUV stablemates.

The Panamera straddles the fence between high-performance sports car and family sedan and it's a position rivals like the BMW 740i, Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes-Benz S450 have sometimes found difficult to balance.

This new-generation 'base' Panamera model is on test to see if this sedan's 2025 redesign will launch an arrow from Cupid's bow for Australian families?

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Deep dive comparison

2018 BMW 6 Series 2024 Porsche Panamera

Verdict

This isn't a car for everyone's tastes, but if you fit in to the buyer group that just doesn't really know what they want in a luxury car, it could be the perfect fit for your family. The 6 Series GT is a practical large prestige car, albeit one that will likely find very few buyers.

Verdict

The Panamera is the ‘have your Porsche and drive it too’ model.

It encompasses the fun of the 911 while still being a comfortable daily driver that can easily fit a family of four. The cabin is sumptuously styled and not hurting for features, either.

Could the ownership costs and storage be better? Probably, but if you’re looking at this model, those items will probably be lower priorities for you.

For my little family of three, the base model Panamera is a win.

BMW 6 Series vs Porsche Panamera What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW 6 Series vs Porsche Panamera
What's the difference?