Macan 4 EV vs. Macan GTS ICE

[Macansing]

Not a reviewer, just a customer who went to test drive one for a day. I will wait for a 4S to evaluate the driving part hopefully with smaller wheels. The point was to compare to the sportiest small SUV that was 2016 Macan Turbo we owned for 8 years and now Macan GTS that we have had for a year.

The sales figures will be the real teller. My SA said they sold 8 so far who put orders in before it was released, so those customers did not test drive before buying. 80 people were on the list interested at the time Macan EV was announced. Currently, he said there is no more demand for any trim but the Turbo for which they only had 2 allocations that are filled. They have two lot Macan 4 demos that they are staging at different places in town like the Christmas market, so I will check with him after the holidays are over if he sold any after customers drove the demos.

250 units sold here is Singapore , car cost between USD 280K-350K....

 

[ColdCase]

Just to add that my expectations were high. I've owned quite few performance cars over the years, but no porsche. The 4 I test drove did not impress me, very nice car but the throttle response and feel for the road was different than I expected. The 4S and turbo are like different cars, especially in a sport mode.

 

[platypus]

I found the Electric Macan to be a significant step up from modern ICE Macans, especially driving. Couldn't disagree more when you say it feels like a large SUV and quality is inferior to the Macan GTS.

Same here. I've owned several Porsches, and the previous one was a Macan GTS (because... family!) To be clear, I don't pretend to be objective, most people here are happy owners of a Macan EV so obviously there is a lot of confirmation bias.

My personal experience is that I have never really loved my Macan ICE. It was great practical car, the PDK on its own was a reason to get it, but the drive was a bit laggy in normal mode, sport mode all-day long was a bit intense/loud for a family SUV, overall it rolled too much, and I really felt the weight. I guess my expectations were too high as well.

But then I drove the Macan EV. I was nervous it would be too heavy, I think you'll only feel this if you drive it after a 911 On an open road, the combination of rear-wheel steering, low center of gravity, firmer ride, and instant torque is just day and night with the Macan ICE.

 

[MatC21]

I was also slightly disappointed by the Macan 4 acceleration during my test drive hence I went with the 4S, I think that will be the sweat spot.
The 4 is not slow at all, it all depends what you're used to though. My current car is a 300hp petrol hatchback, so I could really feel the heavy weight of the 4. However, it definitely does compensate that with an incredibly smooth ride.

 

[daveo4EV]

the "S" products are historically the benchmark in my opinion - i.e. the "S" is the base line "product" - with the product trims below the "s" price driven compromises, and the product trims above the "s" price is no object performance driven enhancements…but the "S" is the product Porsche meant to build and represent the product's best qualities and the closest Porsche achieves for a value proposition in their price range…

I also don't think Porsche's tirm/price segmentation works as well for EV's vs. ICE's - the differences are clearly more artificial and therefore simply feel punitive vs. gaining mechanical advantages as you move up/down the price/trim range…

I think for EV's a simplier approach: good, better, best would yield better results for Porsche

Macan RWD
Macan 4S
Macan Turbo

done!

 

[krissrock]

Macan RWD
Macan 4S
Macan Turbo

done!

I think that woulda been too big of jumps in prices.

Note, that the model that seems to be selling the most is missing from your list... just the 4.
I foresee the Base Macan selling the least and leaving the lineup eventually

 

[platypus]

Macan RWD
Macan 4S
Macan Turbo

I like this! Although RWD and 4 both make sense: RWD has the best range and the cheaper entry point, and 4 is what people think an SUV should be (although what they really need is winter tires).

About GTS/Turbo - The gen 1 Macan GTS had a boosted S engine, and gen 2 (the one I had) had a detuned Turbo engine, which made the Turbo less appealing. Killing the Turbo to replace the top spec with a GTS was inconsistent with the other models. So I like that they're simplifying things with the Macan EV.

 

[daveo4EV]

I think that woulda been too big of jumps in prices.

Note, that the model that seems to be selling the most is missing from your list... just the 4.
I foresee the Base Macan selling the least and leaving the lineup eventually

I think removing the 4 and just having the 4s sales would be equivalent - also the 4 was available first - the 4S is only recent...

I lot of people optimize for price - with out considering all the factors - if there are only three choices and they are optimizing for price - the RWD, 4S and Turbo - 4S would be the top seller - cheapest AWD…also I'm pretty sure that Prosche could move the non-optioned price of the 4S closer to the 4's price and remove some standard equipment and we'd all be good.

 

[alvaro]

A ‘22/23 GTS comparison, maybe. But a ‘16 turbo is a totally different experience.

 

[SergeyIndy]

This is another source that supports my initial impressions of quality of interior and exterior being inferior to Macan ICE and Porsche standards. I wish Kyle will do better editing and shorten the videos, but I had to watch this one, as this is HIS MOM's CAR, so I think he went easy on the problems that they found.

I am happy to provide a summary if you do not want to spend an hour watching it.

Exterior Summary: Uneven body gaps, body parts sticking out, lower plastic trims and window surrounds do not align to body, paint looks like it is scratched all over (I have never heard or seen this effect on cars I own), paint on plastic does not match paint on metal. I could not believe the logic of the charging ports, they took a lot of time playing with that, I can see myself panic in emergency if I cannot open the charge port that is manual release.

Interior: Perforations pattern mismatch between front and rear seats (as if rear seats are from a different car), dash near front windshield is not straight, steering wheel air bag module is not leather and not aligned. They did go into not liking the vinyl upper door trim but that is part of the Black/Chalk non-full leather setup that also comes with vinyl airbag module on the steering wheel.

Kyle kept saying, none of these would not make me buy it again, well glad it is a lease...let's be real, Kyle, this is beyond bad quality from a Porsche, and they need to fix it and make it right by your mom.

My entire point of posting this thread is to open everyone's mind to trying the product for yourself and not get suckered into reviews by reviewers that are not buying the product themselves. I realize that Macan EV is brand new and there will be issues, but this is a bit too many quality issues that belong in a VW Tiguan land and not in a Porsche. Their conclusion in guessing why that is the case, is that they are rushing the product to market after it has been delayed by more than 2 years, so quantity over quality is the result.

I can assure you that our 2024 Macan GTS that we got a year ago had zero quality issues besides some expected paint correction spots when it went full inspection and PPF coating by a pro shop that is considered one of the best in the country owned by Graham Rahal here in Indy, and they are not shy telling owners when something is wrong as they take pride in their outcomes. Now, I am compelled to go and ask them if they have handled any Macan EVs to get their thoughts on the fit and finish quality problems they may have found.

 

[JonoNZ]

Is the difference in seat perforations a 14-way seat thing, or also a 18-way seat thing?

 

[byebye]

@SergeyIndy why do you prefer trusting specific reviewers, while basically saying that reviewers are misleading ; instead of listening to actual owners?
Yes, YouTubers must say something to create engagement… and “all is nice” does not create engagement.
Owners on this forum simply share their findings, with no specific ideas in mind.

My turbo EV , with its options, “has zero quality issue”. So far, even software is unremarkable, no glitch…
Cameras suck.

 

[nischalr]

This is another source that supports my initial impressions of quality of interior and exterior being inferior to Macan ICE and Porsche standards. I wish Kyle will do better editing and shorten the videos, but I had to watch this one, as this is HIS MOM's CAR, so I think he went easy on the problems that they found.

I am happy to provide a summary if you do not want to spend an hour watching it.

Exterior Summary: Uneven body gaps, body parts sticking out, lower plastic trims and window surrounds do not align to body, paint looks like it is scratched all over (I have never heard or seen this effect on cars I own), paint on plastic does not match paint on metal. I could not believe the logic of the charging ports, they took a lot of time playing with that, I can see myself panic in emergency if I cannot open the charge port that is manual release.

Interior: Perforations pattern mismatch between front and rear seats (as if rear seats are from a different car), dash near front windshield is not straight, steering wheel air bag module is not leather and not aligned. They did go into not liking the vinyl upper door trim but that is part of the Black/Chalk non-full leather setup that also comes with vinyl airbag module on the steering wheel.

Kyle kept saying, none of these would not make me buy it again, well glad it is a lease...let's be real, Kyle this is beyond bad quality from a Porsche, and they need to fix it and make it right by your mom.

My entire point of posting this thread is to open everyone's mind to trying the product for yourself and not get suckered into reviews by reviewers that are not buying the product themselves. I realize that Macan EV is brand new and there will be issues, but this is a bit too many quality issues that belong in a VW Tiguan land and not a Porsche. Their conclusion in guessing why that is the case, is that they are rushing the product to market after it has been delayed by more than 2 years, so quantity over quality is the result.

I can assure you that our 2024 Macan GTS that we got a year ago had zero quality issues besides some expected paint correction spots when it went full inspection and PPF coating by a pro shop that is considered one of the best in the country owned by Graham Rahal here in Indy, and they are not shy telling owners when something is wrong as they take pride in their outcomes. Now, I am compelled to go and ask them if they have handled any Macan EVs to get their thoughts on the quality problems they found.

I do also wish that Kyle could shorten his video's and yet I end up watching the whole thing anyway. Between this video, his first wash video and the Oak green Macan Turbo build quality analysis I concede that the new Macan EV appears to be much more value engineered than the original Macan.

You initially surmised in your first comparison post that the quality level was lower in the EV, and I think I may have interpreted that it was more about it's modernity and performance, but now I see that it was more about the quality feel.

I certainly agree with you that there are quality concerns and material choice compromises in the new car, but find it a little easier to overlook due to the more modern feel of the car overall in my personal estimation.

Different times I guess, and the cost of a new EV platform, inflation vs a cost amortized platform with the original Macan.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to our incoming order, and hoping for the best.

Where are you on the possibility of a Macan EV in the household? Are the quality concerns holding you back? letting the glitches sort themselves out? I myself would have waited if my wife did not total her car 1 month ago prompting the new order. The Macan GTS that she had was her favorite car, and there was no going back to ICE after two successive Etron SUV's, so this was a natural choice for us.

 

[SergeyIndy]

@SergeyIndy why do you prefer trusting specific reviewers, while basically saying that reviewers are misleading ; instead of listening to actual owners?
Yes, YouTubers must say something to create engagement… and “all is nice” does not create engagement.
Owners on this forum simply share their findings, with no specific ideas in mind.

My turbo EV , with its options, “has zero quality issue”. So far, even software is unremarkable, no glitch…
Cameras suck.

I think you are misunderstanding my thought process, but I agree with your point.

I took Macan 4 for a day to get my first impressions as we are in the market to get one in the future, since I absolutely love my Taycan. Then I was disappointed with what I encountered comparing it to our Macan GTS in handling, sportiness, quality and then also technology complexity vs. Taycan. This gave me pause as I felt I must be the only one among otherwise universally glowing reviews. However, the reviews mostly focused on the specs and power that are exceptional, but not much on the quality and sportiness of handling. Now, this review was exclusively focused on quality that matters to me and aligned with my impressions.

 

[SergeyIndy]

I do also wish that Kyle could shorten his video's and yet I end up watching the whole thing anyway. Between this video, his first wash video and the Oak green Macan Turbo build quality analysis I concede that the new Macan EV appears to be much more value engineered than the original Macan.

You initially surmised in your first comparison post that the quality level was lower in the EV, and I think I may have interpreted that it was more about it's modernity and performance, but now I see that it was more about the quality feel.

I certainly agree with you that there are quality concerns and material choice compromises in the new car, but find it a little easier to overlook due to the more modern feel of the car overall in my personal estimation.

Different times I guess, and the cost of a new EV platform, inflation vs a cost amortized platform with the original Macan.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to our incoming order, and hoping for the best.

Where are you on the possibility of a Macan EV in the household? Are the quality concerns holding you back? letting the glitches sort themselves out? I myself would have waited if my wife did not total her car 1 month ago prompting the new order. The Macan GTS that she had was her favorite car, and there was no going back to ICE after two successive Etron SUV's, so this was a natural choice for us.

Similar circumstances. The Macan GTS is my wife's car and she was hoping to be in a Macan EV about a year ago as a second year Macan EV production if it would have been on the original schedule. However, her 2016 Macan Turbo was at a point where we needed to make a decision to upgrade and went with the latest Macan GTS, which has been refined to the max regardless of the aging platform, and now they will at least make them into 2026.

We never bought a launch edition product from Porsche as I like to take my hands on time exploring everything before making a purchase decision. I knew I wanted the Taycan as soon as it was introduced and spent several years exploring it, asking dealer to drive them for days at a time, charging at different chargers, looking at every option, then settling on a 2023 build.

At this point in my exploration of Macan EV, it is far from meeting expectations that matter to us to make a purchase decision any time soon. The quality of fit and finish throughout needs to at least match Macan ICE platform and they need to offer more interior full leather dual color options, so we are not getting any vinyl finish surprises. I am not sure given dimensions and weight, they can make it drive any sportier. I would like to drive one on 21-inch wheels (min size we would go with) with rear wheel steering to see how it handles compare to the 22-inch wheels and no rear wheel steering I drove (not sporty), since all models in the US ride on the latest Air Suspension tech (not bringing Active Ride into it).

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