Panamera 4S, an upscale family car

Just one ride in the Panamera 4S demonstrates that the Porsche model was made to compete with most of today’s top luxury saloons, including brands like Maserati and Aston Martin.

The experience was even more satisfactory as I had been given this year’s facelift model, the Panamera II with all-wheel drive and a 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo engine promising 420 horsepower.

The most notable feature of the Panamera 4S was, as many had told me before the test-drive, is that it’s a sports car designed to drive like both a lady and a tramp.

This is possible because it borrows traits of both a proper race car ― the 911 ― and a sedan to offer a multidimensional riding experience like none other.

I immensely enjoyed overtaking cars on the road as I made my way to the Seoraksan Mountains ― a trip devised purely for the sake of trying out my new toy.

When I was not in my “racer mode,” I was still able to enjoy the power of the engine while actually maintaining a conversation with my husband, something that had been a bit difficult in the 911 because of the constant noise of the engine.

My son, who dozed off in the backseat, also claimed that while the 911 was more exciting, the Panamera was extremely comfy, if even a bit boring.

Trunk space could be bigger, but when you’re driving a hot car like this, you can‘t complain about not being able stuff in four golf bags. You can do that in the new Hyundai Genesis.

With a fuel economy of 8 kilometers per liter, the Panamera easily fits the bill as a family car, so long as you can afford the 160 million won price tag.

The outer appearance, which bears a striking resemblance to the 911, was all about sleek lines and sophistication. It had the unmistakable “Porsche” look, right down to the trademark wide-set headlights that appeared slightly more sculptured than on previous models.

Meanwhile, the Panamera’s interior exemplifies class and luxury, in contrast with the 911 whose cabin and interior design scream testosterone and unrefined energy.

The mass of techy buttons fitted into the center console is also quite different from the 911, which is equipped with a booster button, air conditioning controls, and not much more. Instead, I was reminded of the Lexus LS models, which ooze a similar kind of class.

I would definitely opt for the Panamera as an everyday car, even if it’s a bit wide for Korean standards. One tiny problem was even in sports mode, and with the boosters at full blast, the Panamera refused to lose its cool.

That said, if you want to go wild on the road, the Panamera is not the best option, as nothing beats the 911.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)