Porsche Macan 4 Review
31 Oct 2024|18,590 views
What We Like
Appealingly muscular yet futuristic exterior design
Improved space for all passengers
Well-weighted and paced controls
What We Dislike
Ride quality over rough surfaces could be improved
Think 'Porsche' and chances are images of a low-slung body or a growling flat-six quickly float into the imagination. This Macan sports neither of these, but still might just be the most important car from Porsche since the original Cayenne.
This pre-eminence comes courtesy of its positioning as the entry point to the brand's SUV lineup, coupled, of course, with the fact that it is now offered only with an electric drivetrain - marking it out as the first model from the brand to make a full transition into the electric age.
Does this new car do enough to deserve its slot in Porsche's hallowed lineup?
The Macan gets pronounced wings alongside a gently sloping roofline at the rear, giving it irresistible sportiness
Different but still as capable
Initial impressions point in the right direction. On the outside, the new Macan is awash with design touches that scream muscularity. Consider its pronounced wings, shapely bonnet, strong haunches, as well as the in-trend full-width taillight arrangement at the rear.
And there's substance underneath to match the style that comes with all this new sheet metal.
This Porsche Macan 4 (the entry point to the range at launch, although a new base variant has since joined the lineup) offers a total of 402bhp, a significant leap from the 261bhp offered from the 2.0-litre unit of the entry point of its predecessor.
This is additionally backed by a sizeable 95kWh battery facilitating a WLTP range of 613km - a figure that stands comfortably ahead of the 73.9kWh item found in the BMW iX3.
A sizeable 95kWh battery gives the Porsche Macan 4 a WLTP range of 613km
New and significantly improved
There's added features for passengers to look forward to as well. Porsche states that this car now offers more legroom than before, aided in part thanks to its increased wheelbase (which is 86mm longer than before).
Don't let the numbers fool you here, however. The previous Macan was far from class leading when it came to space, and this new car is just about playing catchup.
I imagine those frequently relegated to the rear will find the rear bench of the aforementioned BMW iX3 a more spacious proposition, and the general sense of space available for the upper body is still dwarfed by what is offered in the XPENG G6.
Cabin build quality is high, and you get physical controls for your air-conditioning settings as well as the vents themselves
Electric but still great to drive
But don't let this put you off securing one if you're interested. Porsches of old have always been driver-oriented machines and this Macan is no different. The firm's Electric Sport Sound makes a poor substitute for the drama that comes with the bellow of a combustion engine, but otherwise, the Macan proves capable.
Show this Porsche Macan a set of curves and you'll find body roll well-contained, working with a steering that is quick off centre yet delightfully weighted to give the car a pleasing sense of agility.
Ride quality here is also nothing short of excellent, with damping force offered well-judged for a somewhat sporty SUV. Having said this, the Macan we tested did transmit an undue number of bumps into the cabin when taking on more worn surfaces - the test car's equipped 22-inch rims, coupled with 40 and 35-profile tyres at the front and back respectively, likely not aiding affairs here.
The standard 20-inch items paired with 55 and 45-profile tyres at the front and rear respectively should be a better fit for those who prioritise comfort.
The Porsche Macan now offers increased usability on top of stellar handling, even after the transition to all-electric power
At $254,888 before COE, this Porsche Macan 4 appears like quite the attractive deal. Shoppers looking for a premium compact electric SUV from an established brand will have the $333,888 (COE inclusive) BMW iX3 to also consider, although the BMW doesn't quite come close to the total power output that can be had from this Macan 4.
Those not too concerned about the total height of their SUV might also line this Macan up against the Polestar 4, which swings in at a total of $328,000 (COE inclusive) for the 'Long Range Single Motor' variant. This variant, with 268bhp, also falls short of the power offered from this Macan.
You'll want to note, however, that a host of features that you might expect to come standard in a premium offering will add to the final price of your Macan. Some items that stand out from a cursory look at Porsche's configurator include, for example, adaptive cruise control (a $2,889 extra), or the $9,614 head-up display. Want memory seats? You'll need to top up $5,094 to get the 14-way adjustable ones that come with the memory package.
Still, as a package that pairs reasonable usability with a capable drive, this new electric Macan is an undeniably appealing item, and certainly something worth thinking about the next time you hear the Porsche name.
Shopping for your next electric SUV? There's also these options to consider:
The Audi Q4 e-tron is capable and functional
What We Like
Appealingly muscular yet futuristic exterior design
Improved space for all passengers
Well-weighted and paced controls
What We Dislike
Ride quality over rough surfaces could be improved
Think 'Porsche' and chances are images of a low-slung body or a growling flat-six quickly float into the imagination. This Macan sports neither of these, but still might just be the most important car from Porsche since the original Cayenne.
This pre-eminence comes courtesy of its positioning as the entry point to the brand's SUV lineup, coupled, of course, with the fact that it is now offered only with an electric drivetrain - marking it out as the first model from the brand to make a full transition into the electric age.
Does this new car do enough to deserve its slot in Porsche's hallowed lineup?
The Macan gets pronounced wings alongside a gently sloping roofline at the rear, giving it irresistible sportiness
Different but still as capable
Initial impressions point in the right direction. On the outside, the new Macan is awash with design touches that scream muscularity. Consider its pronounced wings, shapely bonnet, strong haunches, as well as the in-trend full-width taillight arrangement at the rear.
And there's substance underneath to match the style that comes with all this new sheet metal.
This Porsche Macan 4 (the entry point to the range at launch, although a new base variant has since joined the lineup) offers a total of 402bhp, a significant leap from the 261bhp offered from the 2.0-litre unit of the entry point of its predecessor.
This is additionally backed by a sizeable 95kWh battery facilitating a WLTP range of 613km - a figure that stands comfortably ahead of the 73.9kWh item found in the BMW iX3.
A sizeable 95kWh battery gives the Porsche Macan 4 a WLTP range of 613km
New and significantly improved
There's added features for passengers to look forward to as well. Porsche states that this car now offers more legroom than before, aided in part thanks to its increased wheelbase (which is 86mm longer than before).
Don't let the numbers fool you here, however. The previous Macan was far from class leading when it came to space, and this new car is just about playing catchup.
I imagine those frequently relegated to the rear will find the rear bench of the aforementioned BMW iX3 a more spacious proposition, and the general sense of space available for the upper body is still dwarfed by what is offered in the XPENG G6.
Cabin build quality is high, and you get physical controls for your air-conditioning settings as well as the vents themselves
Electric but still great to drive
But don't let this put you off securing one if you're interested. Porsches of old have always been driver-oriented machines and this Macan is no different. The firm's Electric Sport Sound makes a poor substitute for the drama that comes with the bellow of a combustion engine, but otherwise, the Macan proves capable.
Show this Porsche Macan a set of curves and you'll find body roll well-contained, working with a steering that is quick off centre yet delightfully weighted to give the car a pleasing sense of agility.
Ride quality here is also nothing short of excellent, with damping force offered well-judged for a somewhat sporty SUV. Having said this, the Macan we tested did transmit an undue number of bumps into the cabin when taking on more worn surfaces - the test car's equipped 22-inch rims, coupled with 40 and 35-profile tyres at the front and back respectively, likely not aiding affairs here.
The standard 20-inch items paired with 55 and 45-profile tyres at the front and rear respectively should be a better fit for those who prioritise comfort.
The Porsche Macan now offers increased usability on top of stellar handling, even after the transition to all-electric power
At $254,888 before COE, this Porsche Macan 4 appears like quite the attractive deal. Shoppers looking for a premium compact electric SUV from an established brand will have the $333,888 (COE inclusive) BMW iX3 to also consider, although the BMW doesn't quite come close to the total power output that can be had from this Macan 4.
Those not too concerned about the total height of their SUV might also line this Macan up against the Polestar 4, which swings in at a total of $328,000 (COE inclusive) for the 'Long Range Single Motor' variant. This variant, with 268bhp, also falls short of the power offered from this Macan.
You'll want to note, however, that a host of features that you might expect to come standard in a premium offering will add to the final price of your Macan. Some items that stand out from a cursory look at Porsche's configurator include, for example, adaptive cruise control (a $2,889 extra), or the $9,614 head-up display. Want memory seats? You'll need to top up $5,094 to get the 14-way adjustable ones that come with the memory package.
Still, as a package that pairs reasonable usability with a capable drive, this new electric Macan is an undeniably appealing item, and certainly something worth thinking about the next time you hear the Porsche name.
Shopping for your next electric SUV? There's also these options to consider:
The Audi Q4 e-tron is capable and functional
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- All New All Muscular
- Added Space And Pace
- All Electric All Capable
- A Fine Addition To A Mighty Lineup
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