2025 Porsche Macan and Macan 4S First Drive 2025: The Moment of Truth

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Strengths

• Breathtaking performance

• Excellent soundproofing

• Range to match

Weaknesses

• Pricing

• Cooler interior

• Limited rear space

Stuttgart, Germany – This time last year, Porsche presented the electric version of its Macan SUV. While the company already offers the Taycan, the arrival of a second electric model in the family represents a challenge of a different kind.

Why? Because the Taycan was a new model, and with it, came a new clientele. With an electric Macan, yes, we can go after new buyers, but we’re also targeting those who already own a gasoline-powered version or who are at least considering buying one.

The exercise will be repeated with the 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman and 911.

In a way, this is Porsche’s moment of truth. If the company impresses us with its electric technology, will it be enough to convince the traditional buyer of its creations?

To get an idea, or at least to begin answering this thorny question, I had the opportunity to visit Stuttgart, Germany, where Porsche’s heart beats, to test drive two new variants of the electric Macan 2025: the Macan and Macan 4S.

Let’s see if I managed to find some answers.

Positioning

A few months ago, Porsche launched the first versions of the electric Macan, the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo. The Stuttgart-based company is back this autumn with two more variants, the Macan and Macan 4S.

Mixing it up? Yes, but it’s still simple. The Macan becomes the entry-level model, while the Macan 4S is between the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo. To remember? The higher up the range you go, the more power you get, the shorter the range.

And while all-wheel drive is expected everywhere, we’re in for a (nice?) surprise with the base version, which is rear-wheel drive only.

Prices for the two new variants are $94,900 for the Macan and $106,900 for the Macan 4S.

Performance

Let’s talk about performance figures and range.

First of all, for the Macan, we’re talking about a single-engine configuration. Horsepower is 335, 355 when the launch control mode is activated. Torque is 415 lb-ft. With the Macan 4S, 442 hp are delivered, and 509 are delivered using the mode that invites delinquency. Maximum torque is 605 lb-ft.

All this translates into 0-100 km/h times of 5.7 and 4.1 seconds, respectively.

We won’t have official range figures until the models arrive in Canada. However, it’s easy to anticipate, as the Macan 4 offers 496 km of freedom. It’s 463 with the Turbo version. Therefore, more than 500 km is likely with the rear-wheel drive Macan, while the Macan 4S should offer us something in the region of 475 km.

Battery and recharging

Like the “older” ones, the new models benefit from a 100 kWh battery (94.5 kWh usable) and an 800-volt architecture. This translates into a recharging capacity of 270 kW and a time of 21 minutes to raise the battery’s energy level from 10% to 80%.

All this is impressive, but what’s even more impressive is what you don’t see, which testifies to Porsche’s technical know-how. Here are a few simple examples to illustrate.

The rear-wheel drive version features an electric motor with a 480-amp pulse inverter. The inverter’s role is to convert energy from the vehicle’s battery to make it usable by the electric motor. Silicon carbide, a highly efficient semiconductor material (which reduces losses), circulates inside the inverter for optimized efficiency. The Macan 4S features a new electric motor at the rear, this time equipped with a 600-amp inverter.

It’s the kind of difference you don’t see, which explains why driving a Porsche is so unique; everything is state-of-the-art.

This is also true for all-wheel drive. The company’s ePTM (Porsche Traction Management) system distributes power between the front and rear axles five times faster than any other traditional device.

What can we say about the air suspension, which enables the model to deliver a truly impressive level of comfort and performance?

Onboard

Inside, Porsche has moved on in recent years, as its typical dashboards of round analog dials have been replaced by screens, as elsewhere in the industry.

Some like it, but others, like the author of these lines, regret the uniqueness of the brand’s products in this respect. No matter how hard we try to reproduce the whole thing digitally, including the oval shape of the screen in front of the driver, it doesn’t stir any emotions. It’s the whole presentation that suffers. It’s well done, of course, but it’s cold. And from one Porsche vehicle to another, we’re looking for differentiation.

There’s nothing to fault in terms of assembly quality, however, or the perfect driving position. Soundproofing is also spot-on. It’s less interesting for the rear seats, where centimetres are counted. Cargo space is decent, but not much more; it’s not this vehicle’s strength or main vocation.

Behind the wheel

And what does all this mean behind the wheel? Impressive performance in every respect, regardless of version.

Of course, the extra power offered by the Macan 4S is considerable, but the rear-wheel-drive version fares very well. Due to its lower weight (110 kg less than the Macan 4), some will prefer the lighter feel of the rear-wheel-drive version compared to other versions of the model. This is particularly noticeable with the steering.

And if you can guess that acceleration is impressive, what’s most astonishing is the acceleration to 140, 170 or 200 km/h. Yes, we were on German freeways, where this kind of speed is legal and permitted. There’s no need to mention it here, but standing still in the face of such high-flying performance is impossible.

Its handling remains exceptional. On winding roads, this electric Macan can be driven like a sports car. You just have to remember the laws of physics because, despite a chassis designed to stick to the road, the model has its limits. However, drivers will reach theirs before those of the vehicle.

Conclusion

Conceptually, the Macan and Macan 4S are a success. The big question is whether the buyers will be there. The price is eye-watering, especially when the competition offers similar products for tens of thousands less. And that level of emotion is hard to recreate with an all-electric model. But Porsche buyers love the emotion that comes from the engine’s sound, the feeling of driving one of the brand’s vehicles. If the experience with the electric Macan is conclusive, bordering on impressive, it’s very different.

It will be interesting to watch. In the end, it’s the consumers who will answer the questions we’re asking.

Yes, the moment of truth has arrived for Porsche and its electric Macan.