Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Porsche Panamera VS 2014 Tesla Model Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Panamera have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Panamera are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Panamera offers optional Porsche Active Safe, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Model S doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Panamera offers all wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Model S doesn’t offer all wheel drive.

The Panamera’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Model S doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Panamera offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model S only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Panamera’s optional blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Model S doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

Both the Panamera and the Model S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The Panamera’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Model S’ (10/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are almost 25 times as many Porsche dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Panamera’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Panamera third among large premium cars in their 2013 Initial Quality Study. The Model S isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Panamera has more powerful engines than the Model S:

As tested in Car and Driver the Panamera Turbo is faster than the Tesla Model S Signature Performance:

The Panamera S E-Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 633.9 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model S’ range is only 265 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 30 minutes for only a 54% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 53 hours.

For better stopping power the Panamera’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model S:

The Panamera offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Model S doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops much shorter than the Model S:

For better traction, the Panamera’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model S (F:255/40R20 & R:295/35R20 vs. F:245/35R21 & R:265/35R21).

The Panamera offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Tesla doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Model S.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Panamera Executive’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the Model S (120.9 inches vs. 116.5 inches).

The Panamera Turbo 4 handles at 1.00 G’s, while the Model S pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Porsche Panamera may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 750 pounds less than the Tesla Model S.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The Model S’ middle row seats don’t recline.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Panamera. The Model S doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Panamera offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Model S doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Model S, the Panamera offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster), outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Panamera’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Model S doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Panamera to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the Model S.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Panamera offers an optional rear wiper. The Model S doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Panamera has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Model S doesn’t offer headlight washers.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Panamera detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Model S doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Model S’ optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Panamera’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the Panamera to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Model S doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The Panamera’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Tesla charges extra for heated mirrors on the Model S.

The Panamera’s optional air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The Model S doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Panamera has available rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Model S doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Panamera offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Model S doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To help keep rear passengers entertained, the Panamera offers optional rear seat controls for the radio which can play a separate audio source. The Model S doesn’t offer rear seat audio controls.

The Panamera offers an optional 115 volt a/c outlet in the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters which can break or get misplaced. The Model S doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Porsche Panamera won the Check it Out award in Kiplinger’s 2013 car issue. The Tesla Model S didn't win any award.