Porsche Macan Electric review – a sporty and upmarket electric SUV

Verdict – Is the Porsche Macan Electric a good car?

If there was any fear that the Porsche Macan Electric’s transition from combustion engines to EV power would render it soulless and boring to drive, then worry not – it’s a great SUV to drive, helped by a low centre of gravity and intuitive, well-weighted controls. It’s only let down by a harsh ride on unforgiving roads, but aside from this, the Macan Electric feels special and modern on the inside, and boasts a respectable range between charges.

Porsche Macan Electric models, specs and alternatives

For the last decade or so, the Porsche Macan has become one of the company’s most important models, acting as the entry point of Porsche ownership for many buyers. The Macan took on the sporty SUV formula established by the Cayenne, shrunk it down and offered a more affordable price tag – this time though, the Macan SUV has gone fully electric.

For a while, the Macan Electric will be sold alongside the outgoing combustion model. It’s a logical step – there’s quite a large price disparity between the two, so while the outgoing petrol Macan can be yours for just under £55,000, the Macan Electric starts from closer to £70,000.

Despite being an all-new generation and based on an EV platform, the latest Porsche Macan Electric’s styling is evolutionary, and doesn’t differ wildly from the outgoing combustion-engined car’s. Fittingly, however, its look is clearly more influenced by the Taycan EV than before, with rhombus-shaped headlights, a long, straight rear light bar and an overall more minimalist look.

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The Macan Electric also looks chunkier than before with a high window line and a more upright look. That’s because it’s housing a 95kWh battery in the floor, and Porsche’s designers have tried to create the illusion of higher ground clearance with cleverly positioned black sills and exterior trim.

That large battery means the Macan Electric is capable of an impressive 380 miles of range per charge, which is more than enough for most buyers.

From launch, all versions of the Porsche Macan Electric get dual motors for four-wheel drive, although a more affordable single-motor variant is expected to arrive later. For the time being you can choose between the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo models, which get 402bhp or 630bhp respectively. Even punchier S and GTS models are expected to be introduced later on.

Unlike other car companies, Porsche tends to offer each of its models with just a choice of power options, rather than individual trims, so each of the aforementioned versions comes with its own equipment level as standard. Aside from this, there are lots of optional extras you can specify which will quickly send the price skyrocketing. Our test car was a Macan 4, but around £25,000-worth of optional extras pushed the price up to around £95,000 – the starting price of a Macan Turbo.
 

Porsche Macan Electric alternatives

Traditional Porsche Macan rivals include other sporty SUVs like the BMW X3, but now that it’s set to be EV-only, more direct rivals are the BMW iX3, the upcoming Audi Q6 e-tron, or the Maserati Grecale Folgore.

• BMW iX3
• Audi Q6 e-tron
• Maserati Grecale Folgore
• Jaguar I-Pace
• Mercedes EQC

Should you buy a Porsche Macan Electric?

The Porsche Macan Electric may have ditched the combustion engines for motors, but it feels just like you would expect a Porsche should drive. It’s agile and punchy, with smooth power delivery and an intuitive feel to the entire driving experience.

That said, there are more comfortable cars out there, so if this is your priority you may be better served by the Mercedes EQC. Undeniably, though the Macan Electric will feel a lot more special, which may be what sways buyers alone.

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The driver-focused approach is continued on the inside, which does feel very high in quality, despite some – admittedly hard-to-spot – areas with cheaper materials. Its design gives the impression that you’re sitting in a sports car thanks to the cocooning centre console, rather than in an SUV.

Be aware – as with any Porsche – that ticking boxes on the options list will see the price skyrocket, so it’s worth considering that alongside what rivals might offer before committing to the Macan Electric. It’s also worth holding out to see how much the single-motor version that’s set to join the range will cost, as it could prove the most logical choice for buyers not too bothered about performance.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the Porsche Macan Electric range?

As impressive as the Turbo’s 630bhp on-paper figure is, we’d stick to the standard Macan 4, because it offers plenty of power for most buyers. That way, you can save the money over the Turbo model to add on the options you see fit, which might be a better use of the budget if you have it.

How we tested the Porsche Macan Electric

We tested a left-hand drive version of the Porsche Macan Electric in April 2024 in the South of France in warm, dry conditions.