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Pros: quality, driving experience, performance
Cons: limited rear-seat space
Porsche Macan Design
It’s obvious that the new Macan comes from the current Porsche school of design. It retains the brand’s distinctive four-point daytime running lamp signature at the front, atop gently rising wings either side of a smooth bonnet. At the back, there’s a stylish full-width light bar tying it in with the rest of the lineup. The rear end is notably more sloped than in the petrol-fuelled Macan this model replaces – in the name of aerodynamics - though increased exterior dimensions mean that shouldn’t impinge too much on rear headroom.
Porsche Macan Interior
The frameless windows on all four doors are a nice touch, adding to the occasion of getting into the Macan. Inside, it feels nigh on identical to the recently updated Porsche Cayenne and Panamera at first thanks to the upright dashboard and digital instruments with no cowl over them. There’s a large central touchscreen of course and a high-set centre console rising up to meet it. Buyers can even specify an extra touchscreen for the front-seat passenger.
Beyond all that, it’s the quality of the fixtures and fittings that strikes you, belying this car’s posting as the most affordable new Porsche. All the major touchpoints are tactile and trimmed in expensive-feeling materials and the switchgear is solid and precise in its movement.
Rear legroom in the electric Macan is more generous than that of its predecessor, but it still stands out as a weak point of the car. Adults can fit in, but they won’t have room to stretch out.
In contrast, the boot is usefully large, accommodating 540 litres before you fold down the rear seats. And it’s complemented by 84 litres of storage under the bonnet, too.
Porsche Macan Performance & Drive
Two versions of the electric Macan have been launched so far, both using a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive layout. The entry-level Macan 4 extracts up to 387hp from its motors in normal driving, though that can be upped to 408hp if launch control is used. Believe us when we say it’s rapid enough without needing to go to such extremes. Happily, it’s easy to drive at more sedate speeds in everyday traffic, too. It’s quiet, refined and though the suspension has a firm edge, it’s never uncomfortable in its default driving settings. Keener drivers can ramp up the responsiveness of the motors and the suspension’s control if they so wish – depending on options chosen at the time of buying – and the electric Macan does a surprisingly good impression of a sports car in the way it tackles an interesting road.
The more expensive Turbo variant has up to 639hp at its disposal, plus it gets niceties such as air suspension and adaptive damping as standard. It is therefore an even more accomplished car, but most buyers will be as happy with the Macan 4.
Depending on how it’s driven, the Macan 4 can ostensibly manage over 600km on a full charge of its battery, and our test drive would suggest that most owners should manage 500km without too much bother.
Porsche Macan Pricing
The Macan 4 starts at €92,609 and it’s quite well equipped, though we’d highly recommend buyers pay for the adaptive damping upgrade, and it’s all but impossible to ignore other tempting options on the extensive online configurator. Start loading that model up with extras and you may make a case for just going for the Turbo instead, priced from €128,696. Either way, the electric Macan undercuts the equivalent Porsche Taycan.
Carzone Verdict
The Macan has been a tremendous success for Porsche, becoming one of its best-selling models in a few short years. Buyers clearly love the mix of SUV versatility with the Porsche image and driving dynamics. Thankfully, the new electric variant retains all that, while modernising the core car and future-proofing its powertrain. We have no doubt it’ll continue to be popular.