Compare the2025 Audi RS 6VS 2025 Porsche Panamera

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RS 6 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Panamera doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the RS 6. But it costs extra on the Panamera.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The RS 6 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Panamera doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

The Audi RS 6’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Porsche Panamera does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the RS 6 and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available night vision systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 51 percent more Audi dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RS 6’s warranty.

The RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 273 more horsepower (621 vs. 348) and 259 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 368) than the Panamera’s standard 2.9 turbo V6. The RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 158 more horsepower (621 vs. 463) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 479) than the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 128 more horsepower (621 vs. 493) and 141 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 486) than the Panamera GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi RS 6 is faster than the Porsche Panamera turbo V6:

For better stopping power the RS 6’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Panamera:

The RS 6 stops shorter than the Panamera:

For better traction, the RS 6 has larger standard tires than the Panamera (275/35R21 vs. 265/45R19). The RS 6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Panamera (285/30R22 vs. 275/35R21).

The RS 6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The RS 6’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Panamera’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 6 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Panamera. The RS 6’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Panamera.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RS 6’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Panamera doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The RS 6 has a standard 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 Panamera doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

If the windows are left open on the RS 6 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RS 6’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Panamera’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RS 6 has a standard rear wiper. The Panamera doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Laser headlights, standard on the RS 6, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Panamera’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RS 6 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Panamera doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RS 6 has standard extendable sun visors. The Panamera doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Audi A6/S6/RS 6 outsold the Porsche Panamera by over two to one during 2024.