We’ve all seen those random comparisons on YouTube that seem designed more for clicks than actual sense. This, however, wasn’t planned at all.
Here’s the story: my Model 3 was in the shop for some PPF work on a new bumper, and I needed a rental car. The shop gave me a ride to Enterprise in a Mercedes EQS (wow, that car is amazing, but I digress). At Enterprise, I’d requested an electric car, but none were available on short notice. Instead, they offered me a Porsche Panamera from their exotic car rental fleet. How could I say no?
The Panamera was stunning—a white beauty with less than 1,000 miles on it. It was dripping with luxury, had incredible handling, and the electronics were top-notch. It even had Apple CarPlay, which worked seamlessly with my iPhone. After figuring out all the controls, I drove it about 50 miles to work and back in the rain. Super solid ride. It felt planted on the road, though there was a bit more wheel noise than I expected for a car in this class.
Performance-wise, the Panamera roars when you hit the accelerator, and it goes—but there’s the slightest delay. And I quickly realized how much I missed regen braking. Coasting and using brakes felt outdated. The car just didn’t have that instant responsiveness I’m used to in my Tesla.
After driving it for 100 miles, I couldn’t wait to get back to my Model 3. The Tesla’s quick, nimble, and has no hesitation when you press the accelerator. Plus, I’m totally addicted to one-pedal driving—nothing else makes sense anymore. The luxury of the Panamera was nice, but in terms of driving experience, it just didn’t compare to the immediacy and smoothness of an EV.
Now I no longer have to wonder what I’m missing with high-end gas cars. Though I have to admit, a Porsche Taycan—combining Porsche’s luxury and handling with an EV heart—might be a completely different story.
