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The previous-generation petrol-powered Porsche Macan was the brand’s top-selling model in Australia. It’s the car that made Porsche ownership more attainable and bridged the gap between aspirational luxury and practical everyday use, but as the brand pivots toward an electrified future, the Macan finds itself at the centre of a seismic shift. The all-new Macan (from AUD$128,400 plus on-road costs), slated to hit the roads in 2025, is electric-only—a bold statement of intent that hasn’t been universally well-received.
While fundamentally a “better” car in every measurable way, the announcement ruffled more than a few feathers among enthusiasts. The Macan’s combustion engines, especially the 324 kW twin-turbo V6 engine found in the GTS model, were as much a part of its identity as its drivability and pragmatism.
Some purists worry that the silence of electric motors could strip away the character that made the Macan a beloved companion for the spirited driver. So the question needs to be answered: Can the Macan remain true to itself while shedding the visceral roar of internal combustion? We can’t imagine a world where the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six found in the GT3 RS could be swapped out for an electric powertrain—and while this scenario is perhaps less consequential for the Macan—it will still ultimately be a deal breaker for some customers.
Rainer Maria Rilke’s famous words, “Don’t take my devils away, because my angels may flee too,” come to mind because, in the quest for zero emissions, breathtaking acceleration, and cutting-edge technology has Porsche has risked buffing the Macan to a shine that’s too polished? To help answer these questions, I spent two days exploring the new Macan on the road and the track at Queensland’s Norwell Motorplex in the new Macan 4 and Macan Turbo. What I discovered is a tale of contrasts—one that might challenge your expectations of what an electric SUV can truly achieve.
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How Does the New Electric Porsche Macan Look?
The all-electric Macan 4 and Turbo feel distinctly familiar at first glance. Porsche has wisely chosen evolution over revolution and they’ve retained the model’s unmistakable silhouette—short overhangs, a sloping roofline, and wide, muscular haunches.
This continuity is no accident. Porsche understands that the design has been a cornerstone of its success, and the new generation builds on that foundation with subtle yet impactful updates.
Slightly larger now, the new Macan measures 4,784mm in length, 1,938mm wide, and 1,622mm in height, which lends it a more commanding presence on the road. These tweaks improve aerodynamics, interior space, and prove that Porsche’s design evolution is as much about function as it is about form.
The front end is sharper with reworked LED matrix headlights that lend an air of technical precision. The Turbo’s more aggressive front bumper has larger air intakes and gloss-black accents which sets it apart from the 4 that employs a more understated treatment. The result? Two models that speak to different personalities while sharing a unified design language.
The arches are filled by larger wheel options—up to 21 inches—giving the SUV a grounded, performance-oriented stance. The Turbo’s optional wheels, finished in high-gloss black, push its sporty credentials even further.
Porsche’s hallmark full-width light bar makes a return at the rear but with a sleeker execution. The Turbo’s dual-layer spoiler adds a touch of aggression that’s absent from the 4, while both models feature a clean, simplified lower bumper, free from the visual clutter of exhaust pipes—a quiet nod to the new electric powertrain.
What’s most impressive is how the brand has managed to balance essential aerodynamic upgrades and aesthetics. Both the 4 and Turbo benefit from active aero elements, such as variable cooling flaps and an automatically raising rear spoiler, and they’re seamlessly integrated into the design. These tweaks aren’t just for the flex because they play a critical role in maximising efficiency and battery range while keeping the electric Macan’s road presence unmistakably Porsche. Overall, the Macan 4 and Turbo represent a lesson in design restraint, where innovation and legacy coexist.
What is the Interior Like on the Porsche Macan?
Step inside the new electric Macan and you’re greeted by a cabin that feels unmistakably Porsche—driver-focused, impeccably crafted, and brimming with thoughtful details. Yet, with this new generation, the interior leans boldly into ‘digital’, blending cutting-edge technology with the brand’s trademark craftsmanship.
The first thing you’ll notice is the redesigned dashboard, which takes plenty of design cues from the larger Cayenne. Gone are the clusters of physical buttons from the previous model, replaced by a sleek, touch-sensitive centre console that modernizes the cabin while retaining a handful of must-have physical buttons. Some purists might miss the tactile feedback of the old-school physical buttons, but the ‘mothership’ approach to infotainment control is to be the norm for the entire market moving forward.
Taking centre stage in front of the driver is a 12.6-inch curved digital instrument cluster that offers crisp, customizable displays that put all essential information right where you need it. Next to this is a 10.9-inch infotainment screen featuring Porsche Communication Management (PCM) and both the 4 and Turbo come with standard features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Turbo ups the ante with optional extras like a passenger display which allows the co-pilot to manage navigation or media seamlessly.
Fit, finish, and material quality are, as you’d expect from Porsche, second to none. The Turbo’s cabin feels like a step into luxury, with premium leather upholstery, and Racetex accents. The 4, while slightly more subdued in its appointments, still exudes a sense of refinement, making it more than worthy of the Porsche badge on that perfectly shaped steering wheel.
Both models feature supremely comfortable front seats with up to 18-way adjustability, heating, and ventilation. Optional massage functions in the Turbo are a worthwhile upgrade, while the spacious rear bench ensures passengers in the back are looked after. The slightly larger dimensions of the Macan translate to improved head and legroom and make it one of the roomiest cabins ever produced by the famous marque.
Practicality hasn’t been sacrificed at the altar of performance, either. The Macan offers ample storage options, including generous boot space which is marked at 540 litres out back, 43L more than the previous generation petrol Macan. However, it’s the way technology and design come together that truly impresses me.
What Powers the New Electric Porsche Macan?
Under the floor, the Macan 4 and Turbo showcase Porsche’s brand new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) which was co-developed with Audi and also features on the new Audi Q6 and SQ6 e-tron. Both Macan 4 and Macan Turbo feature dual electric motors (front and rear configuration) which deliver the instant torque and effortless acceleration that you would expect from an EV.
Macan 4 offers a robust 300kW (408PS) of power and an impressive 650Nm of torque which is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds. This is more than enough for most Macan buyers and strikes a balance between punchy acceleration without terrorising passengers. However, those itching for more can choose the Turbo, which takes things to an entirely different level with up to 470kW (639PS) and a staggering 1,130Nm of torque on tap (yep). The Macan Turbo rockets to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.3 seconds—a figure dwarfing many of Porsche’s sportscar fleet.
While the front-axle motor is shared between the two models, the difference lies in the rear motors. The Turbo features a more advanced, higher-output rear motor, giving it the psychotic kick from behind usually seen on Pro Bull Riding circuits.
Both models draw energy from a high-capacity battery, offering a gross capacity of 100 kWh. This advanced battery architecture enables impressive range figures, with the Macan 4 capable of covering up to 624 km on a single charge.
The Turbo manages a slightly lower but still commendable 616 km of driving range. Real-world figures will naturally vary, but these numbers place Macan among the leaders in its segment for long-distance capability.
Charging has been engineered for maximum convenience and efficiency. With an 800-volt architecture—a technology borrowed from the Taycan—the Macan can charge from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes using a DC fast charger capable of delivering 270kW. When you’re charging at home, an 11kW AC system can fully replenish the battery overnight.
Porsche has also incorporated intelligent energy recuperation, capable of harvesting up to 240kW of regenerative energy during braking. This, combined with Porsche’s signature “gliding” mode, where the drive system disengages to allow coasting without using energy, enhances overall efficiency and range.
Perhaps, most importantly, everything about this new electric platform feels purpose-built. Unlike some electrified models that try to adapt to the new technology, the Macan seems to take full advantage of its EV footprint, with the proof quite literally in the technical pudding—its impressive power, torque, range, and charging numbers.
How Does the New Electric Porsche Macan Drive?
Track days can be a revelation for understanding a car’s limits, and the Macan 4 and Turbo didn’t shy away from the challenge.
We started at the skidpan, which was the first test of Porsche’s electric SUVs and highlighted their mastery of torque vectoring and grip. The Macan’s dual-motor system, with its seemingly limitless torque, demonstrated an almost surreal ability to rotate and claw out of any hairy maneuver. Then, the motorkhana course revealed the manoeuvrability baked into both models, a feat made even more impressive when you consider their weight.
The Turbo attacked the tight switchbacks with an urgency that felt almost absurd for a vehicle of its size (at great expense to my stomach) while the 4 offered a more linear and composed experience that rewarded smooth inputs.
Then it was time for some laps, and it was now that the Turbo unleashed its full fury. Acceleration out of corners was otherworldly—silent, instant, and relentless. It’s so fast that it almost felt like the track (and my abilities) were too small for its monstrous propulsion, forcing me to recalibrate my braking points and corner exits with each lap. The 4, though slower on paper, felt more in tune with the track. It encouraged me to push harder, offering a level of communication and balance that made every corner an exercise in precision. If the 4 was Wagner, then the Turbo was Rammstein. Both are enjoyable, but one scares you more.
With a night’s sleep under my belt, and my Turbo-induced motion sickness at bay, it was time to explore the Gold Coast hinterland for a taste of some real-world driving.
Taking over from where it left off the day before, the Macan 4 continued to impress. It delivers a serene, confident drive that makes winding through the hinterland roads playful and effortless. The suspension soaked up imperfections in the tarmac without losing its edge, offering a blend of comfort and responsiveness that feels perfectly at home on public roads. The 4’s performance is subtle—with more than enough power to dispatch overtakes with ease, but never so much that it felt excessive. This is a grand tourer in every sense of the word, combining refinement and capability in equal measure.
The Macan Turbo, on the other hand, brought a different energy. Its immediacy and sheer power were undeniable, but on narrow, twisting roads, it occasionally felt like bringing a sledgehammer to a job that required a scalpel. There’s no question it’s capable—effortlessly blitzing straights and carving up corners—but its explosive nature demands more focus and attention. You often find yourself taking too much speed into the corner, simply because you’ve accelerated so quickly from the previous one, resulting in a more ‘point-and-shoot’ style of driving.
Both models shine when coasting through the hinterland’s quieter stretches. The silence of the electric motors allows you to appreciate the surroundings (and cabin) in a way combustion engines never could. Porsche’s regenerative braking is seamless, giving you a more combustion-like off-throttle drag, and while overall braking performance is very impressive, you still feel the weight through the tighter transitions.
Man of Many’s Verdict on the New Electric Porsche Macan
As Porsche propels the Macan into its electric future, the question we began with lingers: has the transition to an all-electric powertrain stripped the Macan of its essence? After two days with the Macan 4 and Turbo, the answer is clear—its essence has been redefined.
The new platform is a feat of engineering. The Turbo pushes the limits of torque, power and grip to face modifying levels, offering performance that almost feels spiritual. The 4, by contrast, is a partner in perfect harmony, proving that Porsche still knows how to deliver an SUV that dances on the edge of practicality and performance. Both models prove their mettle, punching above their rivals pound for pound and reinforcing Macan’s place as a benchmark in its segment.
Yes, Macan’s electric transformation will upset purists, and its higher price point makes it less attainable for some. For those who loved the growl of its combustion engines, this silence might feel deafening. But in the broader context, electrifying the Macan feels perfectly at home in this segment, leveraging practical space, insatiable torque, long battery life, and an overall build quality that remains undeniably Porsche.
It’s a bold move, no doubt, but so was the introduction of the first Macan nearly a decade ago. Much like then, Porsche has managed to strike a balance. Per Rainer Maria Rilke’s famous words, they’ve found a way to deliver a new kind of devil—one that hums rather than growls—without losing sight of what the Macan fundamentally represents: an SUV that doesn’t just fill a niche but redefines it.
The new Macan is faster, roomier, and packed with cutting-edge tech that eclipses its predecessor. However, the real reason for pause lies in its price. The new electric Porsche Macan starts at AUD$133,700 plus on-road costs, even the Macan 4 is a big increase on the previous model. As the gap between Porsche’s EVs and its competitors narrows, it raises a question: in a segment rooted in practicality, how much does this level of performance matter? It’s a dilemma the Macan answers with confidence, yet it’s one that buyers will ultimately have to resolve for themselves.
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