2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric First Test: Feeling Like a Porsche?

Motor Trend

3 hours ago

Pros Long range
Quick charging
Porsche design Cons Quite pricey
Lacks the Porsche feeling
Interior materials are questionable
The 2025 Porsche Macan Electric marks the brand's first foray into the all-electric SUV world, and with four trims—Base, 4, 4S, and Turbo—there's a Macan EV tailored to many types of drivers. Power ranges from 355 hp in the base model up to a stonking 630 hp in the range-topping Turbo, and every version comes equipped with a large 100-kWh battery (95 usable).
The 2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric impresses with its range, charging, and comfort, but lacks the thrilling Porsche feel. Priced at $90,365 as tested, it offers solid EV performance but falls short on interior refinement and emotional driving experience.
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We spent a couple of weeks behind the wheel of a Macan 4, one of the midlevel trims delivering 402 hp, and came away impressed with its relatively long range and speedy charging capabilities. But despite its electrified bona fides, we couldn't help but ask ourselves: Does the Macan 4 Electric really feel like a Porsche? Engaging, but Not like All Porsches
The base-model Macan Electric and the Macan 4 we had in for testing are clearly aimed at buyers seeking a more relaxed and comfortable driving experience, and its off-the-line performance reflected that.
When we pinned it, the Macan 4 hustled from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 4.5 seconds, doing so with quiet confidence, and the test team reported it exhibited smooth, quick launches with a linear feel as it did. But there was no "wheee!' moment, no snap-back-into-the-headrest drama under hard acceleration.
And that's exactly how the Macan 4 Electric felt out on the road, as well. It didn't deliver the kind of thrills we've come to expect from a Porsche. There was no real emotional spark to the proceedings. Those qualities seem reserved for the more powerful 4S and Turbo models—and based on our First Drives, they deliver. But when you're spending over $90,000 on an EV (and a Porsche, no less), you expect something that truly grabs your attention.
Let's get one thing straight: Speed isn't everything. And although we wouldn't call the Macan 4 quick, it certainly isn't slow, either, with enough power to keep things moving. We were also fans of its composed ride, and despite steering tuned more for comfort than aggression, it still felt plenty connected. The Macan 4 Electric is a solid electrified SUV to be sure, just not an overly exciting one from behind the wheel. Macan Electric Does EV Things Well
As an EV, the Macan 4 more than hits the mark. Its 95-kWh of usable battery delivered 282 miles of range during our 70-mph steady-state Road-Trip Range test—just shy of its 308-mile EPA rating—and it aced the fast-charging trial, adding 175 miles in just 15 minutes on a 350-kW charger. In addition, charging from 5 to 80 percent took only 22 minutes, just behind its Audi Q6 E-Tron platform mate. Those are strong numbers, and they should matter to anyone buying an EV.
On top of that, the native navigation system has been improved to make road-trip planning smarter, showing available chargers along your route and estimating charging times based on charger power and your battery's current state of charge.
Like the Taycan, the Macan Electric doesn't offer true one-pedal driving, though it does take advantage of brake regeneration to recover energy. Unlike some competitors, Porsche keeps it simple; there's no adjustable regen level, just an on/off switch. Even with regen enabled, lifting off the throttle doesn't produce a sudden slowdown. Instead, the Macan gently coasts while gradually losing speed. When you press the brake pedal, the system captures that energy and feeds it back into the battery, just like other EVs.
When examining the inside of the 2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric, we came away satisfied with what we saw and touched, though it lacked the wow factor some other EVs in its class deliver.
On the plus side, the leather throughout the cabin is soft. The seats feel comfortable and well cushioned—thankfully so because those 14-way power-adjustable seats tack on a $1,350 premium. The 10.9-inch touchscreen fits neatly into the dashboard and delivers crisp, clear navigation visuals via Apple CarPlay. Meanwhile, the 12.6-inch curved gauge cluster adds a touch of high-end sophistication to the cockpit.
But take a closer look, and you might find yourself underwhelmed. The hard plastic on the center console feels out of place in a vehicle at this price point. We noticed the entire panel housing the A/C controls sinks noticeably when you press one of the touch-sensitive buttons. Plus, there's more piano black trim than we'd prefer. Overall, the cabin proved to be less refined than we expected.
We also ran into a few hiccups with the infotainment system. On our first time in the car, connecting to Apple CarPlay was a breeze, but strangely, no audio played. We tried switching to the radio but came up empty there, too. Thankfully, the issue only popped up once during our two-week loan, but it wasn't the best way to kick things off.
There were a few other features that stood out in a positive way. For example, the ambient lighting isn't just for looks. It flashes bright yellow or red on the upper door panel to warn you of cars in your blind spot or when a car is approaching, respectively. At night, this lighting adds a sleek, modern vibe to the cabin. Still, there's nothing that felt particularly unique or groundbreaking, and given it's a Porsche, we expected something a bit more upscale and special. Is the 2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric Worth It?
After two weeks behind the wheel of the 2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric, we concluded it's a great EV—but it doesn't quite deliver what other Porsches do. As we mentioned, the interior materials could be of higher quality, and the driving experience lacks a certain flair.
Another sticking point is value. The Macan 4 Electric starts at $80,795, and prices climb quickly once you start adding options. With extras such as rear steering and the Sport Chrono package, the final tally hit $90,365—a hefty sum for what you get.
But more than that, what's missing from the Macan 4 Electric is that intangible something —the special feeling that defines a Porsche, especially one powered by an internal combustion engine. Take the Macan powered by the 261-hp 2.0-liter turbo, for instance. That isn't the fastest Macan, either, but it feels like a Porsche. There's a certain character to it: the sound, the surge, the connection to the road. It's the DNA we expect to be baked into every model bearing the rearing horse crest, electrified or otherwise—an experience that the otherwise competent Macan 4 didn't quite deliver.