Porsche Panamera 4S

The good: The dual-clutch transmission in the 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S works beautifully, contributing to driving dynamics and fuel economy, while the dynamic suspension leads to impressive cornering. Navigation includes 3D maps, and the Bose stereo produces a nicely refined sound.

The bad: Shifter buttons on the steering wheel are poorly placed. The car lacks a voice command system.

The bottom line: The 2010 Porsche Panamera delivers a spectacular driving experience in a surprisingly practical car, while modern cabin tech satisfies navigation and entertainment.

Review:

Like most things Porsche, the 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S isn't easy to classify. At first, we were tempted to call it a squashed Cayenne, but the driving characteristics took that comparison out of the running. And although we were reminded of the 911 4S while behind the wheel, we just couldn't bring ourselves to call it a stretched 911.
No, Porsche came up with a unique new car that stands on its own in the model lineup. In broad strokes it takes its place among German flagship sedans such as the BMW 750i, the Mercedes-Benz S550, and the Audi A8, but the Panamera 4S's sport handling makes those other cars look like stately luxo-barges.
Of course, the fastback design of the Panamera also puts it in its own class. Yes, that is a full hatchback at the rear providing a tall luggage area--a strange hint of practicality in such a pricey vehicle. The first spy shots of the Panamera produced quite a bit of negative reaction towards its styling and, though that was mostly undeserved, the long cabin does give it an odd proportion. After spending some time with it, we've come to like the rear quarter and the nose section quite a bit.
Luxury interior, sports car ride.

Sitting in the cabin, the fine leather, woodwork, and metal components led us to expect a luxury ride. But the seats were surprisingly hard, and the suspension didn't exactly smooth out the timeworn asphalt of city streets. Instead, the car let us feel the road as a sports car would, communicating changes in the pavement so we could react accordingly.