2018 Porsche Panamera vs. 2018 Acura RLX

The Porsche Panamera has long been considered the pinnacle of performance cars, and the 2018 edition is no exception. Its sexy looks, wide choice of engines and blistering speed make it a car coveted by many. However, the 2018 Acura RLX has caught the automobile industry by storm; due to its advanced all-wheel drive, hybrid fuel system, soothing seats and amazing handling. Which of the two is supreme?

Design & Style

The Acura RLX displays an angular outer body, with sharp edges and well-pronounced lines. Its grille is diamond patterned, with LED lights and the rear diffuser which is glossy black in color. Refined stitching can be seen on the front seats, with a tone that is espresso colored which will appeal to coffee enthusiasts. The Porsche Panamera is very much the opposite of the RLX in terms of design. Where the Acura opts for sharp edges, the Panamera chooses curves, and they are breathtaking indeed. The fastback shape and sweeping roof make it clear this car was built for speed, with classy chrome badging and LEDs which complete the exterior. Inside, every part of the cabin is high tech, with seven-inch displays and capacitive switches that were thoughtfully situated.

Technology & Safety

The Porsche Panamera has many safety devices designed to protect both passengers and pedestrians. Just a few include parking assistance, automated emergency brakes, adaptive cruise and lane control, a rearview camera, and self-driving capacity. Night vision with thermal imaging is provided to ensure nearby people and animals are identified in the dark. Inside, passengers will have access to infotainment screens that are 12.3 inches, leather upholstery, Apple Carplay and navigation which is baked in.

The safety scores earned by the Acura RLX are almost picture perfect. Both the IIHS and NHTSA favor the car, due to features such as warnings for frontal impacts, emergency automatic brakes, and assistance with traffic jams, warnings when departing lanes, a rearview camera, and the ability to self-drive and stop automatically. Inside, passengers can expect leather upholstery, premier fourteen speaker audio, heated/cooled seats, and touchscreens. Unfortunately, the RLX lacks both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Performance

The Acura RLX comes with a standard V6, 310 horsepower engine. This is the same engine used by previous models, but what has been upgraded is automatic, which are now ten speeds instead of six speeds. The Porsche Panamera offers spellbinding performance, with a standard V6, 3-liter engine that is turbocharged and capable of producing 330 horsepower. This allows it to cruise to sixty miles per hour in just over 5 seconds, and by upgrading to more powerful versions, you can get there even faster!

The Bottom Line

The Porsche Panamera and Acura RLX are natural rivals, as both excel in many of the same areas. Despite this, the cabin of the RLX falls short by comparison, due to its tight back seat, and it lacks many of the options available with the Porsche, so the Panamera wins.

Ready to Schedule a Porsche Panamera Test Drive Today?

Feel how it is like to drive a luxury car offering the total package like that of what the 2018 Porsche Panamera offers. You can drive this stellar car here with us at Manhattan Motorcars. We are located in New York, and we are servicing the needs of car buyers in the Tri-State area. Visit us today at our showroom or call us to book your Porsche Panamera test drive appointment in advance.