The RS6 has something the Panamera has not and vice versa, the Audi looks like it was made to scare rich people in their Panameras on the motorway lol And the Panamera looks like it was made to please the eye of the wife with its added luxury. And yes, Audi should really update the RS6! Cool video James, thanks 😉
I recently drove a regular Panamera Turbo and I definitely share your points. I own an RS6 performance with an Akrapovic exhaust just like yours and find it much more a sense of occasion than the Porsche (the interior of the Porsche is leagues ahead in every way), the only thing I have a different opinion is the speed - It felt to me that the Audi was definitely the faster car, but then again that is a subjective feeling that has to be substantiated by numbers.
Completely agree with you. I have a RS6 p as well, it's a wild thing, with the Capristo exhaust even more than with the Akrapovic. The Porsche concept looked amazing, this version is just a bit too much toned down. It's a nice cruiser, but it doesn't quite match the RS6 in terms of emotion. And then there's the huge price difference. I have upgraded the interior of my car with a complete NEIDFAKTOR treatment and that's still less expensive than the Panamera - but feels much more luxurious than a standard RS6.
I’ve always read that Audi interiors were “as good as they come”. Obviously Porsche’s four door car will have to give a nod to its occupants with lush appointments and impeccable fit and finish. But so does Audi. I’m not saying one is better than the other but it’s surprising to hear anyone make a comparison where ANY other car’s interior is “leagues ahead” of any modern higher trim level Audi. Oh well. Everybody has an asshole, I mean opinion. Whoopsy
I'm seeing this way too often lol I will now explain why this 'could of' happens. Naturally, native speakers first learn language orally, only then does writing come in. It doesn't help that English has got so many homophones (words with different spelling and/or meaning but the same pronunciation). The phrase /kʊd 'hæv/ is reduced in fast speech, and becomes
I can see it now, Virtual cockpit, the same 2 screen console as in the a8 panamera a7 and now Urus, rear wheel steering... i think it'll be quite beautiful. ANd if it gets the same 42v sub-hybrid system, i think it will take away the biggest problem of the RS6, which is the mpg. Yeah i can't wait for that shit to drop, and hopefully, in North america as well... we wait what? 3-4 more years for it? lol smh :( I think audi is left to do a revised A3-A5 even though they just released them and then the S7, RS7, S6 RS6, and so forth. But seeing the way they are going, we will prob get a new A6 and A3 in the meantime so we could get the gist of how the RS versions of each will be. Currently own a 8P A3
The hunter It would be sicker if they put back the V10 but with the new 42volt semi hybrid and cylinder deactivation up to 4 cylinders and get nearly 30mpg combined. A beaut!
The hunter I don't think that'll be possible anymore. Seems like Audi is going to put the 42v system in ALL of their models. I don't mind it though. Cheers
Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. And.... there it is!!! "Gear Box Snob..." 15:10 There you have it, youtube, all MrJWW 'boxes' for video requirements have been ticked. ;>)
Just leaving design and interior, the Panamera destroys all rivals on dynamics and on the track. It's impressive how Porsche manages to make a whale steer and move as the Panamera does.
My dad had an RS6 for 18 months from brand new. End up giving back with 70,000 miles on it after going over to Le Mans and Gumball last year. Absolutely unbelievable car. Having it a a daily then being able to unleash it for events was the best feeling ever. Definitely take one again if had the opportunity.
Good one James. So similar on some levels but weirdly different too. I think the kick in the back nails it and the road presence of the RS6. The rear spoiler on the Turbo S though is ridiculously cool even if it has little effect. Next gen RS6 will need to be mega!
Saw you this morning around 8am on the M6 in your RS6 following this Panamera Turbo, Thought your RS6 had more road presence then the Porsche to be honest!! seen your RS6 a few times on the roads and I still think its the best spec RS6 out there, the Merlin purple paint looks so lush even in our crap british weather!!!
I never click on the bell James, I check my feeding many times a day so I don't tend to miss your videos ;-) As for comparing the 2 cars, I am glad it is your job and not mine in this case. The two are quite similar and enough so that it basically comes down to which brand do you prefer to own. As always James, keep up the great work and try and have a little fun at your job eh? hehe.
It’s a mute point in a North America since we can’t get the RS6 wagon here. I agree with some of the other comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts of these two against the E63s wagon. Great video as always!
James, any thoughts on the E63 Estate? As a North American we can’t get the the RS6 on this side of the pond and I’d love to hear your opinion on how the AMG stacks up to the Audi?
I miss these old JWW reviews I am happy for your success in your company but im sure I’m not the only person who misses your old style reviews simple not huge productions and chuck full of actual driving
Would love to have an RS6, but I'm afraid that once the new A6 arrive this thing going to look a bit too outdated. I hope for a good RS6 vs E63 estate soon. I do not care about fast lap times, acceleration or anything like that. Just what it feels like living with it. Mr JWW is great for that kind of content.
If you want luxury, buy the Porche. If you want luxury with a bit more sportiness it's the RS6. Personally, I'm a fan of cars that perform so I'd have to go with the RS6. And James' speck is exactly the one I would get. Love that purple.
One reason you thought the Panamera was bigger could have been because of the white roof lining, as compared to the RS6's black one. Spectacular review overall!
Love the RS6, however I think the Porsche will in the words of Ron Burgundy "stay classy". The RS6 will be adopted by a certain type as it comes into the 30k- secondhand price bracket. The Porsche never will.
Well done. I had the Avant. It was my favorite car ever and I’ve been lucky enough to have had a few nice ones. SO Sorry after I gave it up. However, now that I have lived with my new Porsche Sport Turismo Turbo, I don’t even look back. This Porsche is Ballsy, faster than my 911s, more practical. Sleeper. I love it.
An excellent informative and well balanced review. For me, the Porsche wins hands down on its classy interior, elegant shape and restrained but meaningful exhaust note. As you say yourself who really needs all that power in an estate car! What I really don’t get, is why so many reviewers like to hear pops, crackles and burbles coming from the exhaust. A deep sonorous roar on acceleration yes, but pops, crackles and burbles just sound like the exhaust is full of holes. I had a cortina Mk1 that sounded not unlike that, albeit without the acceleration 😁
Great commentary James. For me, the idea of a touchscreen interface in a car is a little impractical and, to my eyes, the interior of the RS6 is much more "timeless". Such a pity there's no new M5 estate in on the action.
James as always I would pick the Porsche over the Audi any day but your videos are always excellent & now I'm aware of the bell option I truly cannot wait till your next video goes live.
I've been fortunate enough to own an RS6 Performance for about 9 months now and it still manages to put a smile on my face every time I climb in. Haven't been in the Panamera but, for pure street kudos alone, I'd take the Audi every day of the week. Given that it's fundamentally a 5 year old car now, am very much looking forward to the new version - next year?
Just watched the video, very interesting but I expected one of the big differences to be the 4 wheel steering on the panamera affecting the handling. You didn't mention it much tough. I'm curious 🤔
Great video. I agree- Porsche has more polished luxury the wife, kids, and co-workers can approve of and the Audi is a bit more brut in-your-face. Both are great cars. I think demographics play a role on which one wins. Under ~40 goes to RS6 and over goes to the Porsche. With that said, I am late 40's and just ordered the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo 4S e-hybrid, and it lets me tick off the green box too, although a small box, but a check nonetheless, and I got it in orange, because I feel under 40!
What’s the handling difference? Both are awesome cars. I’m leaning toward the Porsche only because they are known for handling and aground feel. Does anyone got real experience on both cars in the hills? Nice review JWW
I don’t know if it was just me, but you seemed to be just enjoying the RS6 just that little bit more! For me, the RS6 takes it on it’s looks, its demeanour! Great video, as always!
A small factor that influences size perception is the headliner. The Panamera has a white headliner which creates the illusion of a larger and more airy cabin, while the RS6's black headliner encloses you in a sportier and darker environment. Small things like that can make a big difference.
I so agree with your verdict on the exterior design element James. Somehow the design of the production version of the Sport Turismo turned out more heavy and less dynamic / 911'ish. I saw the concept car in Paris in 2012, and it was a way more agile shooting break-like car, with shorter overhangs and wheel base. A rather beautiful hatch! Interior on final car is superb though!
For me - the Panamera is the car you’d have if you were older and didn’t have or want lots of cars - the RS6 is the car you have with other cars (and probably younger)
'The stuff you can't find on Google'! Thank you, I've wondered for a while how these 2 compare! I've liked the Panamera for a long time. It's great to have an honest review!
The Panamera would look a lot better in a darker shade and different wheels. I seen a black ST with the 21” black / polished spyder design wheels with ceramics and it looked phenomenal
The panamera is more of a sporty limousine. Problem with the RS6 is that it could easily be mistaken by mr average as a diesel A6. Porsche everyday as they are a little more bespoke. Good review
Are you never/not afraid that a car that you drive, like this comparison, makes a car you personally own, a lesser option afterwards? I mean speccing the beauty that is the RS6 in such a fabulous colour and upgrading the exhaust afterwards, must mean something to you emotionally I guess? Really intrigued in hearing your opinion on this!
The Porshe oozes class compared to the Rs6,but the Rs6 sounds and seems to be a better drive. James,have you thought about upgrading the intakes and a tune upgrade?
Great review and comparing apples with apples, not like some reviewers. I'll take the RS6 (or RS7) and buy the wife an A5 as a run around with the 40k saved.
While it’s out of the price range of both the Audi and Porsche, I’d vote for a GTC4Lusso V12! Now that’s one car that’ll deliver a sense of occasion for sure!
First time watching one of your vids. Not bad. Be interested in the RS6 Performance vs Turbo S hybrid to see the difference and also on a day to day basis does the hybrid system make any difference.
Porsche for the Win always ! Faster better looking just pristine. I've been fortunate to drive 911 Carrera S manual and I can say is the best car driving experience I had until now !
Not sure which i'd choose. I just got my first Audi, and i'm IN LOVE with the damn thing, after 3 Benzes and 1 BMW. Never really spent any time in any Porsche, so for now, i suppose i'd take the RS6
Keep in mind the RS6 interior is from 2009. Changed slightly through the years. Still looks amazing. Audi also influenced the interior of the Panamera and the new A7 is very similar to the new direction of Porsche.
Went it the Panamera turbo GT the other day, sitting in the seat you were in, pity the steering wheel was not on that side. It was really beautiful inside and could seriously move. It is a little hard to compare as the Audi is based on a family wagon and the Porsche isn’t. In Australia the RS6 $272,000 and just the Panamera Turbo is $418,000. If money grew on trees the Porsche....and the Audi.
Very very interesting! I absolutely adore the Interior of the Porsche. Those classy hidden - to - lit buttons, the rear infotainment and climate and the centre console really take it up a level. However, I am not sold on the exterior and still prefer the RS for that.. I guess it's a choice where a back to back test is essential (what a shame!)Thanks man.. Great vid!
Great video mr.jww the Rs6 is the car that we can't get in the USA in so many want one love full wagan look with big Audi r8 power plant. The Porsche we see here their super cool. Got go turbo for the performance or diesel thoe
James I drive the RS 6 performance every day and for me it takes the first position due to the £40k price difference, the sound and its masculine athletic looks, I agree it’s slightly more dated but until a new rs6 comes out I would not change it for the Porsche, having said that the Porsche is a Bonny car and that interior rocks
Lovely cars, but the E63 S estate is faster than both of them. RS6 is also in need of an update (at least performance wise.... not that its slow lol.... but it's not the fastest estate anymore, in its price segment).
RS6 will get updated, but the Merc is only JUST faster than a 6 year old car, not overly impressive I don't think. The new one will once again rule fast estates. Panamera is great but wildly expensive.
Daniel Sadjadian but does the Merc make you feel better? I drove a Mk1 TT Roadster for 3 days and I loved it a lot more than the C6.2 Corvette Roadster I drove because it was a lot more usable and I just loved it more.
Great review. Thanks! I think the Porsche is the better car but the RS6 is the better overall package. The RS6 is a beast and more wolf in sheep clothes. The Porsche is more civilized and a very fast luxury car. The RS6 is all that but also a naughty boy when you want it. I would go for the RS6 but when I am 60 it would like to drive the Porsche. ;-)
Let’s all hope the new RS6 keeps its aggressive looks, looking at some of there new stuff maybe the C7 will be better looking,outside! But the cockpit as mentioned is due to be brought up to 2020! Which is when it will be out . Still some time to enjoy the C7 RS6 as for us real petrol heads they can’t be beaten . Even without the LCD madness plastered all over the cockpit !
While I've always had a soft spot for the Panamera and wasn't purturbed at the looks of the first gen like a lot of the critics, between it and the RS6, it's like a Butler versus an Axe Murderer in vehicular personalities.
I guess the difference here is, like you mention, the tangible things. Switch gear, Audi MMI and trivial things such as indicator stalks - they’re all carried across the models. Although Audi have done a great job with the RS6 in order to make it feel “more special” than a regular A6 avant, A LOT of stuff is still carried over from a regular A6. The Porsche is always going to have the upper hand on luxury because of the aforementioned - The entry level Panamera is a more expensive car than a entry level A6 so therefore, the switchgear is going to be better quality. I see why you compared them both but I feel the Panamera Sport Turismo will appeal to a different audience than those considering an RS6.
Hi JWW I follow all your posts:) I own a RS6 + and I believe you have the review spot on . I think if you add up and compare the number of smiles you have driving each car you will have your answer ! The Porsche is a good car but may be when I am 10 years older . Russell
Panamera ST is a better looking car inside out and you sit lower, more like a sports car and coupled with a 8 speed PDK seems to be the better choice to me But then the E63S already beaten both, so that one is king Don't think Audi RS can do handling as well as AMG, but the next C8 RS6 could be good