Thanks to turbochargers, superchargers, direct injection and even hybrid electric power, today's engines are smaller but more powerful than ever before. His 4-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower is not uncommon. Once considered a budget option, V6 engines now power some of the fastest cars on the road. In fact, two of his fastest V6-powered cars are $100,000+ luxury cars.
The Acura NSX uses a V6 combined with a hybrid powertrain to make some serious power. A true supercar, it combines incredible performance with excellent fuel economy, proving that hybrid powertrains aren't just for compact cars like the Toyota Prius.
Similarly, the Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid is as far from the Prius as a moon rocket. It looks like a 4-door version of the Porsche 911.
Take a look at the Acura NSX and the Porsche Panamera, and the two cars couldn't be more different. But underneath the surface, they have a lot in common.
NSX and Panamera: performance and fuel economy
According to US News, the Acura NSX has a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 capable of producing a staggering 520 horsepower. Combine that with three electric motors and you have 600 horsepower. Using all-wheel drive, the NSX he goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of 191 mph. Still, you can get an estimated 21 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving.
Like the NSX, the Porsche Panamera starts with a V6 engine, only available in a 2.9-liter version, but combined with a hybrid powertrain it develops up to 552 hp. According to Edmunds, it also gets an EPA rating of 20 mpg total, with him reaching 60 mph in 3.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 183 mph.
NSX and Panamera: function and safety evaluation
Acura doesn't care about the NSX's individual trim levels and has very few options. Everything you need is included as standard, and the only choices are paint colors and interior trim.
The only thing the NSX lacks is the assortment of modern driver assistance features we've come to expect. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS have data yet, so there are no crash test results or ratings.
The Panamera is just the opposite. Porsche offers the Panamera in various configurations, options and colors. However, the most popular packages are the Adaptive Air Suspension and Sport Chrono packages. This package adds the Sport Plus setting with Launch Control to improve the responsiveness and performance of the Panamera's engine, transmission and chassis.
However, like the Acura NSX, the Panamera lacks crash test results and safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.
NSX and Panamera: features and technology
According to Car and Driver, the Acura NSX is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated navigation and an ELS Studio 9-speaker stereo. If touchscreens and some switchgear look familiar, yes. Many of the bits under the hood are shared with other Acuras, as are the system's shortcomings, and it has received much criticism for its overly complicated and outdated interface.
The Porsche Panamera offers a large 12.3-inch touchscreen with an attractive layout and numerous functions such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation and Wi-Fi hotspot. As with the Acura and other sophisticated systems, the menus are complex and lack intuitive functionality, making navigating them distracting while driving.
Are Acura NSX and Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid good cars?
The 2022 Acura NSX is a luxury sports car with incredible performance, but it's no bargain. It offers ample space, but lacks the technology and features buyers have come to expect from cars for half the price. We offer the combination at a fairly low price.
The Porsche Panamera, on the other hand, is a great car. The 4S E-Hybrid offers supercar-level performance in a practical body. Few cars combine the luxury, function and driving pleasure that the Panamera offers. It's a four-door sports car that will pamper you, impress you, and make your neighbors jealous.