Holden Calais vs Porsche Panamera
What's the difference?

Holden Calais

$9,995 - $27,800

2018 price

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Porsche Panamera

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2024 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-AMG E63

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

Summary

2018 Holden Calais

2024 Porsche Panamera

By Andrew Chesterton

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

V6, 3.6L

Twin Turbo V6, 2.9L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

9.1L/100km (combined)

9.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Plenty of cabin space
Safety gear on-point
Punchy V6

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

Dislikes

Fuel use on the high side
Four-cylinder turbo petrol unavailable
Diesel not an option

Cabin not the most practical
Ongoing ownership costs
Pricey options

2018 Holden Calais Summary

If Holden had a dollar for every time someone had criticised the new and international flavour of Australia’s formerly home-grown hero, it would surely have more than enough spare cash to blow the dust of that vast South Australian factory and restart local Commodore production immediately.

Hell, there’d probably be enough left over to relaunch the Camira while they were at it. And maybe even knock out a new Gemini or two.

So we’re not going to do that again here. The all-new Commodore, in this case the Calais Tourer, is now here - granted having travelled further than the one it replaces - and so we’ll be playing this review with the straightest of bats.

Because the truth is, if you peel the badging - and thus the swirling emotion - off its elongated rump, then you’ll find this German-built Tourer is, really and truly, a very good thing.

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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 Holden Calais 2024 Porsche Panamera

Verdict

A best-of-both-worlds option that should have us questioning our SUV obsession, the Calais Tourer delivers plenty of practicality perks and a higher ride height in a dynamic and car-like package. The equipment levels are spot on, including the comprehensive safety package, and it you act smartly, you'll get a hugely long warranty to boot.

It sure is thirsty, though, and we can't help but think plenty of owners would be happier with a smaller, more-efficient engine.

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.

Holden Calais vs Porsche Panamera What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Holden Calais vs Porsche Panamera
What's the difference?