Porsche Macan EV 2024 Review

For now, you can choose between four Macan EV flavours, two of which are being delivered immediately: the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo. The rear-drive Macan and Macan 4S arrive in 2025, while a GTS is expected sometime in the not-too-distant future.

For this review, we’ve focused on the two we’ve sampled. The Macan 4 kicks off at $133,100 plus on-road costs while the faster and better-equipped Macan Turbo (no, there are no turbos…) sells from $179,500 plus ORCs.

The Macan 4 comes with 20-inch alloys, leather, 360-degree camera, dual-zone climate control, smart key entry, adaptive cruise control, ambient lighting, adaptive dampers, a powered tailgate, electrically-adjustable steering column, heated front seats and electrically adjustable seats with a memory function.

There’s also a 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster and a 10.9-inch central infotainment screen powered by Android Automotive, which provides access to a suite of third-party apps – as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Macan's two motors combine to produce 285kW in regular guise or 300kW when taking off with the launch control system enabled. There’s also 650Nm on tap for 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.2 seconds.

The Macan Turbo gets a larger rear motor and inverter that ups the combined outputs to 430kW or 470kW when using launch control. Torque is a massive 1130Nm, helping launch it to 100km/h in 3.3 seconds.

There are also 21-inch wheels and more equipment, including a panoramic sunroof, quad-zone climate control, Sport Chrono pack and Porsche Electric Sport Sound for a futuristic synthesised sound. Plus the Turbo picks up adjustable-height air suspension that costs $2830 more when specified for the Macan 4.

The Turbo has some unique design elements, including non-functioning vents built into the rear bumper and a greyed-out “Turbonite” badge in lieu of the yellow and red highlights on the Porsche emblem.

Porsche also offers its Exclusive Manufaktur customisation program, giving owners the choice of a plethora of colours, trims and other options. It touches on everything from interior stitching and different roof linings to a head-up display and the choice of 59 special colours. Another $2700 buys a 10.9-inch display for the front passenger.

If it’s pace you’re chasing then the new Porsche Macan delivers – big time.

The newcomer brings a new level of performance to the mid-sized SUV category. Even in regular Macan guise, there’s no shortage of thrust, the all-wheel drive system swiftly harnessing near-instantly-available torque and a power zing that makes for easy motoring.

It’s an intoxicating blend that is served up in a thoroughly Porsche way, headlined by sharp but nicely calibrated throttle responses.

The Macan Turbo amplifies that with a level of thrust no one has yet delivered in a mid-sized SUV. It hits hard from standstill and utilises its stupendous 1130Nm to keep things motoring towards big speeds very quickly. We were lucky enough to test it on a track where speed limits weren’t an issue.

On the road, the Turbo requires finesse with your right foot to save being on the wrong side of the law. The biggest challenge for someone stepping out of a petrol-powered SUV could be the lack of engine noise; the Macan isn’t quite silent, but it almost can be. And we’re less convinced about the available fake sound, although it’s at least futuristic!

The Porsche goodness flows through to the cornering nous, too. It’s ultimately extremely capable and composed.

While it’s a nuggety thing (we’ll get to that) a lot of the weight is very low in the car due to the battery pack in the floor, so it always sits flat and feels confident. Steering, too, is beautifully weighted with the right amount of meat in a bend.

With more power going to the rear there’s an impressively agile dynamic that makes it playful in the tail. Adjustable dampers allow tweaking of the ride on the run, but even in the sportiest setting (up to Sport+ for the Turbo) it’s never brittle. And with more relaxed settings it does a terrific job of dealing with bumps while maintaining a high level of agility and sportiness.

The Macan also has terrific front seats. They hug in all the right places and provide excellent support for longer stints in the saddle. It’s the start of a well-designed cabin where attention to detail is at its heart. From the steering wheel that’s shared with the 911 to the 12.9-inch curved instrument cluster, there’s lots to like.

Being based on a dedicated EV architecture also means there’s good use of space in the cabin – and occupants sit relatively low, adding to the sense it’s an SUV ready to pounce.

There are some nice surprises, too, like the 84-litre frunk – front trunk – that can be accessed by waving your hand over the Porsche badge.

The Macan is also quick to charge, too. Each variant gets a 100kWh battery, 96kWh of which is usable. It provides 624km of claimed range for the Macan 4 and 616km for the Macan Turbo. Those figures are calculated to the ADR standard, which is less accurate than WLTP. So expect less in the real world, although each should be capable of more than 500km between charges.

When it comes time to charge, the Macan can accept up to 270kW of DC charging, a super-fast charge. Topping up from 10 to 80 per cent (something approaching 400km of range) takes as little as 21 minutes. While there’s only one DC charge port, there’s an AC charge port on either side, allowing flexibility depending on where your wallbox is positioned.

It’s impossible to ignore the price leap with the new 2024 Porsche Macan.

Since it arrived in Australia in 2014 the Macan has always kicked off below $100,000, providing a tempting Porsche-badged alternative to more mainstream luxury SUVs.

But the Macan EV has made a circa 35 per cent jump way above its main rivals. Porsche argues there’s more gear and the car is far better to drive – and faster – all of which is true.

But for those whose budget doesn’t stretch that far, it leaves a quandary. Make the big EV leap or look elsewhere. Ultimately even Porsche buyers have a budget, so some may go elsewhere – or opt for the larger Cayenne.

The Macan is also a heavy beast, at around 2.3 tonnes. That’s hundreds of kilos heavier than the model it replaces, making it one of the heavier mid-sized SUVs on the road. That said, it does a remarkably good job of dealing with the weight, in many ways disguising it to ensure the fun factor is right up there.

But once you wind up the pace or unleash it on a track it keeps the tyres busy. Again, it’s competent and controlled, but there is a lot going on at ground level.

Our final point on the Macan is whether everyone is EV-ready. Clearly, there will be some who just won't take to an EV, although we suspect most Porsche owners will have access to off-street parking, addressing one of the biggest issues.

For some, it may be a case of whether they can afford the new Porsche Macan.

While there’s loads to like – performance, driving dynamics and a classy cabin at the top of that list – the reality is the price of entry has made the newcomer a harder sell.

For those willing to take the electric plunge, though, the Macan delivers the performance and dynamic nous to provide an electric shock to the top of the mid-sized SUV market. Lashings of luxury and the promise of serious customisation add to its sales artillery.

The move to electric for the Macan is a bold move – but one that makes an equally big statement.

2024 Porsche Macan 4 at a glance:
Price: $133,100 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two permanently excited synchronous motors
Output: 285kW/650Nm (300kW/650Nm with launch control overboost)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 100kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion (96kWh useable)
Range: 624km (ADR)
Energy consumption: 17.0kWh/100km (ADR)
Safety rating: Not tested

2024 Porsche Macan Turbo at a glance:
Price: $179,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two permanently excited synchronous motors
Output: 430kW/1130Nm (470kW/1130Nm with launch control overboost)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 100kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion (96kWh useable)
Range: 616km (ADR)
Energy consumption: 17.2kWh/100km (ADR)
Safety rating: Not tested

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