NEW Porsche Macan Electric Review | Better Than The Petrol Version?

Summary

The Porsche Macan Electric is a groundbreaking evolution of Porsche's bestselling SUV, offering a fully electric powertrain while retaining the option for a petrol version. With various models, including the 639-horsepower Turbo, it delivers supercar-level acceleration and impressive range. The car's design is more dynamic, with innovative features like a front trunk, a stylish rear light bar, and advanced tech integration, such as a customizable infotainment system and optional passenger displays. While the ride is performance-oriented and stiff, the Macan Electric remains fun, fast, and thrilling to drive, outshining its petrol counterpart in many ways.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Porsche Macan Electric is a significant upgrade from the petrol version, offering improved performance and modern tech.
• 😀 Despite the transition to electric, Porsche is still selling the petrol-powered Macan alongside the electric version.
• 😀 The Macan Electric offers multiple versions, with the Turbo model delivering 639 horsepower, making it the most powerful Macan ever.
• 😀 The Macan Turbo can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 3.3 seconds, surpassing the petrol version by over a second.
• 😀 The electric Macan has a range of up to 400 km, with all versions supporting rapid charging to 80% in 20 minutes.
• 😀 The design of the electric Macan is more refined than the original, with features like a front trunk and customizable color options for side panels.
• 😀 The car is equipped with advanced tech, including a large, responsive infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an app store.
• 😀 The Macan Electric features excellent driving dynamics, with precise steering and a low, sporty driving position.
• 😀 While the suspension may feel stiff in sport modes, the car is still a fun and engaging ride with excellent handling and rear-biased weight distribution.
• 😀 Although the Macan Electric doesn’t feature regenerative braking to the extent of some other EVs, its braking system still retains Porsche’s performance pedigree.

Q & A

Why does Porsche keep the petrol-powered Macan alongside the new electric version?

Porsche is likely hedging its bets, unsure if the electric version will be as successful as the original petrol version. The ongoing sale of the petrol-powered Macan alongside the electric one might indicate some uncertainty about the full transition to electric models.

What makes the Porsche Macan Turbo Electric different from the petrol-powered version?

The Porsche Macan Turbo Electric is significantly more powerful, with 639 horsepower, 200 more than the current petrol version. It also offers a faster 0 to 62 mph time, improved technology, and a more modern design.

What is the performance capability of the Macan Turbo Electric?

The Macan Turbo Electric can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds, which is over a second quicker than the petrol version, making it comparable to supercar performance.

How does the Macan Turbo Electric handle long-distance driving?

The Macan Turbo Electric is equipped with a 100 kW battery pack and offers a range of up to 367 km for the Turbo model, with all versions capable of fast charging to 80% in 20 minutes, making long-distance driving feasible.

What is the Macan Electric's design like compared to the original petrol version?

The Macan Electric has a more modern, sleeker design with distinct detailing, including a new front with active matrix LED lights, and a coupé-style slant to the C-pillar. It also features larger, customizable wheels and additional color options.

What makes the front trunk of the electric Macan different from other electric vehicles?

The front trunk of the Macan Electric is genuinely usable, offering 84 liters of space, which is more practical than the smaller or less accessible trunks in many other electric cars.

How is the boot space in the Macan Turbo Electric compared to the petrol version?

The Macan Turbo Electric offers 50 liters more boot space than the petrol-powered Macan. However, in the Turbo model, the underfloor storage is occupied by a large subwoofer, reducing available space.

What is the driving experience like in the Porsche Macan Electric?

The driving experience is engaging, with a low driving position, excellent support from the seats, and precise, fast steering. It feels more nimble than larger SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne, and its handling is sharp and responsive.

How does the Macan Electric's steering differ from other crossovers?

The Macan Electric's steering is fast and precise, offering excellent handling with minimal overreaction. Unlike other fast-steering crossovers like the Tesla Model Y, the Macan's steering is both accurate and enjoyable, making it feel more like a sports car.

What are the downsides of the Macan Electric?

The Macan Electric's suspension is quite stiff, especially in Sport and Sport Plus modes, making it less comfortable for everyday use. Additionally, its price starts at around £95,000, which can be prohibitive for some buyers.