There’s just something about hitting the snow in a Porsche. Slapping winter performance tires on a 911 coupe is next-level fun. But a 4-door Porsche with all-wheel drive means the family gets in on the action. These machines are truly built for all-weather driving, and when winter hits, they help turn that frown completely upside down. The 2014 Panamera comes with exceptional handling, top-class refinement, and a gorgeous cabin quality that reinforces its status as one of the top sedans in its segment.
Related – Porsche Camp4 Canada: Innovative Driving School Embraces Winter Chill
Adaptive All-Wheel-Drive System Finds Grip Effortlessly
The 2014 Porsche Panamera 4S sits above the GTS trim level in the range, featuring a 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 gasoline engine putting down 420 hp @ 6000 rpm and 384 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm of torque—the engine mates to Porsche’s 7-Speed Automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system. With the launch control, this tremendous power can take the luxury sedan from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The EPA-estimated range is 17 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
Cabin warmth is instant, too. The heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats make long winter commutes feel effortless.
On dry pavement, it’s a luxury missile. But on snow-covered roads, the Panamera 4S surprises; the adaptive all-wheel-drive system finds grip effortlessly, even under spirited throttle. The air suspension smooths out rough winter surfaces while keeping the chassis composed. It’s not a rally car, but with the right tires, it’s the kind of all-season grand tourer you could actually daily in Calgary or Whistler without a second thought.
| 2014 Porsche Panamera 4S | Metric |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L twin turbo V6 front engine with Aluminum block and heads |
| Transmission | 7-speed PDK with Active All-Wheel Drive and coasting functions |
| Displacement | 2,997 cm³ |
| Horsepower | 420-hp @ 6000-rpm |
| Torque | 384 lb.ft of torque @ 1750-5000-rpm |
| Top Speed | 286 kph |
| Acceleration from 0-100 kph | 4.8 seconds (4.5 seconds with Sport Chrono Pkg) |
| Length | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,931 mm |
| Height | 1,418 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,920 mm |
Interior Impressions
The standard amenities include a 7.0-inch touchscreen, multifunction steering wheel, a power liftgate, automatic climate control, the Porsche Communication Management system with navigation, a premium sound system, Porsche Active Suspension Management, a sunroof, etc.
What we like most about this Panamera is the level of comfort and space inside (this ain’t a 911, that’s for sure). The seats are incredibly supportive and very cozy, and you can adjust them in various ways. The two seats at the back are as comfortable and spacious as the front seats, with plenty of space for tall individuals. The only downside to the backseats is their low position, which is a little more confining than that of typical sedans. However, that’s where the Panamera Sport Turismo, introduced in 2017, comes in: a 5-seat, 550-hp 4-door Porsche sedan geared more towards rear passengers.
Cabin warmth is instant, too. The heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats make long winter commutes feel effortless. Porsche’s usual build quality shines, with every button and surface feeling solid enough to handle years of frosty mornings.
The 2014 Panamera 4S isn’t only spacious for passengers, but it is also equally roomy for your luggage, with 15.7 cubic feet of boot space. The hatchback’s versatility adds an extra bit of room, allowing you to extend the space to 44.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A drawback here is the narrow hatch that makes it a bit difficult to load heavy items.
On the safety front, the four-seat posh sedan comes equipped with antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, brake assist, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, and front knee airbags. The rearview camera and blind-spot monitoring system are optional, and so is the adaptive cruise control with a forward collision mitigation system.
Options on this model:
- Carbon Grey Metallic ($910)
- Rear heated seats ($630)
- Adaptive air suspension with PDCC ($2280)
- 19-inch Panamera Turbo II wheels ($1790)
- Reverse camera including Park Assist and Surround view ($1720)
- Bose audio system ($2420)
- Sport package with air suspension ($7750)
- Adaptive sport steering with Memory package ($3670)
- PDK 3-spoke sports steering wheel with shift paddles (no charge)
Takeaway
Sure, everyone is going for new SUVs and crossovers, especially for winter. And makes sense for most families. But if you’re looking for something different (and clearly way more fun and dynamic), a used all-wheel drive Porsche sedan fits the bill. The 2014 Panamera 4S delivers that rare mix of luxury-car comfort, sports-car grip, and year-round drivability. It’s proof that performance doesn’t need to hibernate when the snow falls.
