Porsche Macan Electric review: a great SUV and a true Porsche
The new Macan has all the technology, quality and driver engagement needed to place it up with the best in its class
Pros
- Solid battery range
- Engaging to drive
- Tech-filled interior
Cons
- A bit cramped in the back
- Pricey options
- Several versions are yet to arrive
| Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
| 367-381 miles | 13hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 21mins (10-80%, 270kW) |
Porsche Macan Electric verdict
After its flying start with the Taycan, Porsche’s second fully-electric car is another truly impressive feat that’s worthy of its legendary badge. Not only is the Porsche Macan a high-quality SUV that’s packed full of the latest technology but it’s great to drive, too.
There’s only the Macan 4 and Turbo variants to choose from for now, but both of these claim well over 300 miles of range, so range anxiety shouldn’t be an issue. The downside is that the quest for efficiency has come at the cost of interior space, so the Macan’s family car credentials do come into question.
Range details, specs and alternatives
The Macan is one of Porsche’s best-selling cars. In fact, the first-generation model was such a success it remained on sale for an entire decade (with a series of upgrades along the way). This new model is a very important one for the bosses at Stuttgart as not only is it eventually due to replace the brand’s beloved baby SUV, but it’s also taking the jump over to fully-electric power. Combustion and hybrid power will be ousted for good when the old model is taken off sale.
The pressure’s already on, and this only increases when the competition is taken into account. Premium mid-size electric SUV rivals include the Genesis Electrified GV70, BMW iX3, Mercedes EQC, Tesla Model Y and the Audi Q6 e-tron with which the new Macan shares its platform.
The platform in question is Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric. This is home to a dual-motor powertrain setup that’s powered by a 100kWh (95kWh usable) battery pack, with a single-motor version expected to arrive at a later date. Buyers currently have the choice of two variants: the Macan 4 or Macan Turbo. Both are powered by the same dual motors, with the entry-level Macan 4 offering 402bhp and 650Nm of torque. The Turbo ups the power to 630bhp and 1,130Nm.
As is often the case, more power results in less range, but both versions of the Macan still boast some reassuring numbers thanks to that chunky 95kWh battery. The Macan 4 claims up to 381 miles on the WLTP combined cycle, which drops slightly to 367 miles for the Turbo.
When it’s time to top-up, the Macan’s 800V architecture can handle rapid charging at speeds of up to 270kW, which means a 10-80% charge can take as little as 21 minutes. Rapid DC chargers are connected on the left hand side of the Macan, but there’s an 11kW AC port on each side for added convenience. If the Macan is being charged at home, a full charge from a 7.4kW wallbox unit will take around 13 hours.
Pricing starts from around £70,000 for the entry-level Macan 4 but, in typical Porsche fashion, the options list can drive this price upwards at an alarming rate. If you have the willpower to avoid the add-ons, the Macan’s standard kit includes 20-inch alloy wheels, heated seats with eight-way electronic adjustment, climate control, twin screens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and LED lighting. If you aren’t prepared to fork out for some added colour on your Macan, the standard paint colours are either black or white.
Upgrading to the Macan Turbo will bump up the power by quite a bit, but it’ll do the same to the price as this flagship model starts from around £95,000. We think the base Macan 4 provides more than enough thrills, engagement and luxury as it is, so that’s our pick of the line-up
