Point out the identify Porsche and most will consider an iconic sports activities automotive with a definite form, rear wheel drive and an engine within the again. In 2025 although, the German automotive maker’s greatest promoting mannequin – the Macan – mixes issues up a bit.
Certain, it nonetheless has a definite form and may be had in rear wheel drive. Nevertheless it’s an SUV and now Porsche have eliminated the combustion engine and gone all-in on an electrical platform. It’s a daring transfer – and it is going to be fascinating to see if it pays off.
It is sensible then that we discover ourselves in a Macan 4 Electrical, which is simply up from the bottom trim, and options all-wheel drive. It’ll shift its 2330kg weight from 0-100km in 5.2 seconds, barely quicker than its much less geared up sibling at 5.7.
Nevertheless it’s not fairly as quick because the 4S or ‘Turbo’ variants which is able to get there in as little as 3.3 seconds. Our Macan 4 Electrical outputs 285kW of energy (or 300 when launch management is activated) and 650nm of torque.
In contrast to different EVs, acceleration doesn’t take your breath away in a present of power, however as a substitute feels fairly linear and managed. The Porsche has an elective synthetic sound that may be activated when the automotive is in Sport mode too.
It’s one of many higher implementations we’ve heard, with a deep tone that doesn’t get too repetitive or really feel overly artificial. No less than they’ve managed to maintain the automotive Porsche in look and it nonetheless very a lot identifies as a Macan as effectively.
That mentioned, a lot of the panels are new and it’s bigger in all dimensions, together with the peak by an enormous 1mm over the prior era. It’s extra muscular than sporty, with our automotive optioned of their purplish-grey Provence hue (from their ‘Desires’ choice).
You may be stunned, but it surely in some way fits the automotive greater than you’ll assume, and donning some fats 22-inch rims wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres carrying 255’s up entrance and 295’s on the rear definitely helps.
The inside is plush, stylish and feels very very similar to it ought to. Ours was wearing black and beige however there are various totally different mixtures you may select from when customising your personal spec.
We felt the beige helped carry mild to the cabin (together with an enormous glass roof), however these with kids could need to go for one thing simpler to scrub. The steering wheel is skinny however feels good within the fingers. On colder days it may be optioned with a heating aspect.
That’s true too for the entrance and rear seats. The inside has been maximised for consolation due to the brand new electrical platform, with a whole lot of room afforded to each rows, with as much as 4 local weather zones.
Whereas there are 5 seats within the Macan, it’s nonetheless extra snug for 4 occupants, with a very flat ground and the rear seat that includes a big fold down armrest. These up entrance have electrically adjustable seats with three reminiscence settings.
Legroom is first rate in each circumstances, with a big floating centre console and storage space. Telephones may be charged wirelessly in a compartment on the entrance, whereas reaching into the ahead house isn’t the simplest factor to do.
Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is on the market nevertheless we might advocate plugging your telephone in when utilizing it for music and maps on longer drives. Ours slowly depleted to the purpose it turned off – however this isn’t an issue remoted to the Macan.
The local weather controls are situated within the centre console, the place you’ll discover some nice feeling bodily toggle switches and buttons. Our solely gripe was that as a substitute of getting particular person buttons, the complete shiny panel acted as a single button.
It means taking your eyes away for some features. Apps and different choices may be accessed by way of the infotainment display screen – and for these with a bit of additional cash and consideration for his or her passengers, a 3rd display screen may be put in as effectively.
That is very cleverly configured in order that it doesn’t distract the driving force. The instrument cluster is massive, wealthy and clear too, with many various views and knowledge out there. An elective head-up show can venture extra data throughout an enormous 87-inch space.
It blends seamlessly with the skin view in entrance of the driving force’s eyes. The Macan 4 Electrical incorporates a 100kWh battery which Porsche declare is sweet for a mixed electrical vary of 624km, which sounds spectacular – however everyone knows actual world figures will differ.
We took on the problem of taking ours for a household highway journey out of Sydney to the Hunter Valley wineries. With a close to full battery, we headed north, with a detour by way of Pie within the Sky at Cowan for a run up the “Outdated Street” – in any other case often known as the Outdated Pacific Hwy.
The Macan did fairly effectively, with the decrease centre of gravity giving it a really planted really feel going by means of the bends. Regenerative braking isn’t too apparent when it’s on, however helped on the downhill runs.
After a few goes, we remembered our problem and needed to proceed onwards to the Hunter. Even so, vary nervousness hadn’t kicked in at this level, and we have been assured of reaching our vacation spot, with greater than half a battery in reserve.
Even with the enthusiastic runs we realised we needn’t have anxious, with nearly 75 per cent cost and greater than 400km remaining on arrival at our first vineyard. After some exploring and taking within the sights, we headed again house.
We managed to go somewhat additional than anticipated, to a extra conveniently situated charger close to a spot we might unwind after the day’s journey (that included ogling the Porsche). After greater than 4 hours of driving, we returned to Sydney.
What we have been left with was 11 per cent battery, having coated 345km at a mean consumption of 20.5kwh/100 – effectively inside Porsche’s claimed consumption for the automotive. As a sensible household automotive, the Macan 4 Electrical has a decent 540-litre boot too.
You may broaden that to 1348-litres with the second row folded down. There’s additionally an 84-litre frunk for holding somewhat extra than simply the charging cables. It’s a succesful and clearly very protected automobile too.
To be sincere, we will’t fault the automotive. It’s a Porsche, it drives and feels nice and sure, it’s electrically powered. In fact, all of this comes at a value with the Macan 4 Electrical ranging from about $134,400 plus on-roads.
What we might decide from our mortgage automotive was that the choices listing was intensive, with at the very least $30K in extras added to ours. That paint, an additional $2880, the wheels, an additional $7780, the passenger display screen, the HUD, the audio and many extra, all got here at a price.
However that’s additionally what individuals love about Porsches – making it their very own in each potential method. Our solely query is whether or not ditching the combustion engine will show to be an excellent transfer for the model with their hottest mannequin.
You’ll find out extra on the Porsche Automobiles Australia web site, or by speaking to your native dealership. To get a low fee finance quote, discuss to Australia’s greatest reviewed automotive finance dealer; Credit score One. To see a fantastic vary of automobiles on the market, take a look at OnlyCars.com.au.
Our check automobile was provided by Porsche Australia for impartial evaluate functions. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to evaluate this automobile. Featured picture courtesy of Pesti Photos.
