Porsche Macan Review

Like Goldilocks from the fairy tale, I found myself repeatedly finding so much in this Macan "just right".

Could this also be the premium electric SUV that is just right for you?

The 95kWh battery of the Porsche Macan will charge at a maximum power of 270kW when at a direct current charger

Not too hot nor too cold

Bother yourself not with searching through our past reviews - this base Macan differs from the car we drove back in October of 2024 primarily by the absence of the latter's front motor, so power output now totals 355bhp instead of 402bhp.

And if you think that's not a significant power loss, there's more good news: This car continues to utilise the same 95kWh battery as its more powerful brother, so you should see no compromise to useability.

In fact, this Macan clocked an energy economy of 5.3km/kWh during our short stint with it - a figure not far from the 5.8km/kWh that it is claimed to be able to achieve, so you should have little issue coming close to its WLTP range of 641km between charging sessions.

The cabin of this Porsche Macan scores well when it comes to usability: The controls for the air-conditioning and drive modes are always within easy reach

And when it comes to the task of everyday commuting, you really won't find yourself wanting for more power. With a peak torque of 563Nm and the ability to crack the century sprint in just 5.7 seconds, every drive in this Macan feels assuredly effortless, making the output of this Macan just right for our island’s traffic.

But more impressive still is the way this Macan feels from behind the wheel. There are confidence-inspiring brakes and a steering that is accurate while weighing up assuredly whenever you apply more lock or put some speed beneath those wheels. These couple with dampers that deliver competent control over unwanted body movement to make this Macan one pleasing thing to pilot.

All passengers have access to USB ports and the car also comes with a quad-zone air-conditioning system as standard

Not too hard nor too soft

Ride quality is also commendable here: Expect every journey to be accomplished in nothing short of quiet isolation. Having said this, this Macan's low-speed ride does fall short of what you'd expect from a car of the segment (especially one that is riding on some chunky 55 and 45-profile tyres at the front and back respectively). Better suppression of vertical movement is warranted here.

Thankfully there's a lot else here that will impress if you're shopping for a premium commuter. Cabin build quality, for starters, is stunningly high. The doors of this Macan close with a reassuring thud, and the way the switchgear click in response to your prods and presses make this space a tactile delight.

Porsche's 10.9-inch infotainment system also proves intuitive to use, with neat graphics that accompany its various sub-menus. But if you have another $6,301 to spare, there's also the option to add another 10.9-inch touchscreen display ahead of the front passenger so he/she can take over the role of in-car navigator and DJ.

The build quality of the cabin of the Macan is hard to fault

Not too big nor too small

And if you think the car in the photos feels a little drab, you'll be glad to note that Porsche will let you pick from a choice of colours so you can have your seatbelts, seat centres and door trim exactly as you'd like, for a fee, of course.

Those who frequently ferry passengers in the second row will also find there's good levels of space accorded here even in this premium compact SUV. Some highlights worth noting include the fact that there's a nearly flat floor for those in the second row, alongside the fact that the quad-zone air-conditioning system comes as standard.

This rear-wheel drive base variant of the Macan marks itself out as a capable and appealing entry-point into Porsche's model range

Just right for you?

At $245,747, this base Porsche Macan comes at just a small discount next to the $254,588 Porsche Macan 4 (both prices are before COE).

Interested buyers will probably be more interested, however, in noting that the Audi Q6 e-tron quattro, also sharing the Macan's 800V platform and architecture and utilising a 94kWh battery while offering a power output of 285kW (382bhp), is currently asking for $402,999 (all prices as of press time).

Pick your list of options on this Macan carefully and you should still be able to duck under that price and will be walking away with a car that is quite well tailored to your needs.

Shopping for a premium electric SUV or crossover? There's also these options to consider:

The BMW iX3 is both comfortable and easy-to-use

The Audi Q4 e-tron comes with a large battery and offers plenty of performance

Or maybe you'd prefer the new MINI Countryman, with spacious and characterful cabin