Macan 4S EV, coming from a Tesla Model Y: Thoughts?

[Gordon87]

First time poster. Please excuse the length of my post. I would like thoughts from Macan EV owners who came from a Tesla.

I am considering ordering a new Macan 4S EV.

I drive a Tesla Model Y LR (AWD). Previously I had a Tesla Model 3 LR (AWD). I have never owned a Porsche.

I realize that the Macan EV is much more a driver's car than the Tesla, and has a more premium interior and feel, but it is missing some tech.

I am interested in hearing what people have experienced who have moved from a Tesla to a Macan EV.

Dog Mode. As to tech, I currently use Dog Mode (not for a pet but for ease when out on a hot day).

View of Side Cams. Also, I really like and rely on the feature added after our purchase of having the left or right side cam view open automatically when you put on a turn signal.

Dashcam. I also read that the Porsche dashcam is inferior - worse app, worse camera, only views front and back (not the sides).

Navigation & charging. I don't roadtrip much, but it looks like the Porsche navigation app is not as simple or robust as the Tesla navigation app in directing your charging.

ASS (the tech feature, not the owner of the company). My Tesla was recently updated to include Actually Smart Summon and I had an occasion to use it: A large box truck parked next to me in a shopping center parking lot; so close that I couldn't open my door to get back in the car. I used ASS to back the car out of the space and then got in and drove off. Not a likely scenario, but it was a cool feature to use.

OTA Updates. I like the over-the-air updates which Tesla provides, for new features as well as for safety updates. I expect that with Porsche, you may get OTA safety updates, but pretty much won't continually get feature updates. Do you miss that aspect of owning a Tesla?

Regenerative Braking. I use full regenerative braking (one-pedal driving), but I believe I will get used to the Porsche approach - coasting and heavy (but not complete) regenerative braking by touching the brake pedal.

Auto-hold on Stop. I like the Tesla auto-hold on stopping, but I believe I will get used to the old way of driving and holding.

Screen vs. Buttons. I don't mind the use of a screen for virtually everything in the Tesla. I haven't had a car with as many buttons as the Macan in many years, but I assume that I will re-learn the use of the various features with buttons.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

 

[tmrqs]

Dog mode- you can disable interior monitoring and keep the AC/power in the car when you turn off the engine. A screen will get displayed every time you're about to leave the car, you can choose these options.

Side-cam- you can turn on the side cam (that points at the wheels really) manually but these won't happen when you activate your turn signal.

Dashcam- the Porsche one is subpar, there are viable alternatives, but none will be a smooth as Sentry mode on the Tesla.

Navigation/charging- it honestly works pretty well, maybe not as well as Tesla's but they did a good job.

ASS- this just doesn't exist in the Macan (or Porsche altogether).

OTA- way too early to tell, so far nothing was pushed. Limited hope the Macan will get serious updates over the air vs having to go to the dealer, time will tell.

Regen braking- also no 1-pedal driving with Porsche, you do get a little regen but that's it.

Auto-hold- this exists, you just need to press firmly on the brake and auto-hold will activate. If you press lightly, the car will resume rolling if you start releasing the press.

Screen vs buttons- this is a huge plus for the Macan, everything on the screen was annoying.

From your list, only the side cams, sentry mode (love the feature, hate that it drains the battery like a mofo) and OTA are superior. Vastly superior one could argue.

I am personally not bugged by the lack of the rest. And the Macan is such a better car on the driving dynamics, quality and comfort... I absolutely love it.

Welcome to the board @Gordon87!

 

[daveo4EV]

I owned Tesla's since 2012 - last personal tesla was 2018 Model 3 performance - but have Model Y's "in the family" still - but not daily access…

• Dog mode - no explicit dog mode, but you can leave the HVAC running when you get out of the car - it's a choice when you unlock and open the driver's door that pop's up
• no camera's view on turn signal - but you have blind sport indicators in the mirrors and with ambient lighting on the doors
• porsche dash cam sucks ass - you'll need to go non-Porsche if you want a dash camera
• Porsche nav is only slightly worse than Tesla nav - and I don't trust/use either for charge planning - both will show you a rough "sketch" of where to charge - and then in both cases I always enter my "next" destination to get the battery estimate @ destination
  • what you lose with Tesla Nav you gain back with CarPlay/Android auto support - so you have more map/navigation options than just Porsche
• Porsche has a remote parking support - I've never even tried it - never heard of anyone trying it - I wouldn't rely on it - I agree summon is useful for backing out of tight parking spaces - but I don't miss it.
• OTA updates - with Macan it's TBD - historically I'd ROFL - but maybe with Macan we'll have more updates - but it's a not a Tesla and VW/Audi/Porsche are in no hurry to "meet" Tesla where they live on this - best to assume updates (even dealer service based ones) will be minimual and the car and it's software will be the same in 2029 as it is today - if that's not the case you can be pleasantly surprised.
• I like one pedal driving, I understand one pedal driving, I understand Porsche's approach and reasons, I still think porsche is wrong and it should be an "option" in certain drive modes - but frankly I'm tired of this argument - honestly it does't matter - everyone gets used to it in about 10 minutes - get over it - not worth discussing - both systems work and are manageable
• auto-hold - simply press the brake pedal a little harder and you get auto-hold
  • auto-hold only makes sense in the context of one-pedal driving - with Porsche since you're on the brake pedal anyways - when you come to a full stop - just press a little harder and release - and you have 'hold'
• screen + buttons - and the buttons are in the center dash for HVAC and a few other things - you'll be fine.

the Macan has quite a bit less interior volume for passengers and cargo - you'll miss that more than any of the tech you've discussed - but it will be quieter, better handling, and better built for quite a bit more money - so it's your call

ignore your list - what you'll miss is from the Y is…

• vastly better cargo room and passenger space of the Model Y
• phone as a key and fully functional remote app
• a functional fast charging network that you can assume will work when you show up
• an admission there is no service to be done on an EV and no sad attempts to get $2000 for a 2 year "service/inspection"
• service network where _ALL_ the mechanics at the service center are "EV certified" - so you never need to wait for Bill our "EV" guy to be in the shop in a couple days since he's out on leave until tuesday…
• no drive modes so the car is always ready for full performance
• summon for getting out of tight parking space if that's important to you
• watching netflix while fast charging away from home
• price of any repairs should they be necessary
• a company/culture that gets "EVs"
• the money in the bank account you save by not paying the Porsche tax
• raw unbridled acceleration that is always on tap with no preparation required

what you won't miss from the Y

• turning radius of the Model Y - you'll be amazed how bad it is/was
• numb steering
• noisy cabin
• sub-par build quality
• vampire drain of the battery overnight
• bouncy ride
• barely tested driving assistance software that will try and kill you and is constantly being revised - so what is this weeks surprise change in driving behavior?
• being associated with Elon
• seats - porsche seats choices are sooo much better
• a sun roof that can't open
• doors that rattle and sound like they are going to fall apart when you close them
• stalks on the steering wheel
• limited selection of body color
• limited selectxion of interior trims/materials/colors
• glove box open via software
• lack of door pockets
• lack of satelite radio if that's your thing
• rattles and squeaks

it's all about trade offs and what you want to prioritize for - if you want the _BEST_ EV keep your Y - there is no better EV in North America - if you want a great mid-sized SUV that happens to also be an ok EV the Macan will make you very very happy.

Tesla makes an excellent EV and a mediocre car
Porsche makes an excellent car and a mediocre EV

make your choice.

I love my Macan Turbo EV and every time I drive my son's Model Y I'm reminded why I don't have a Model Y even though I can go toe to toe with anyone on why the Model Y is great car - it's not for me.

 

[Gordon87]

Thank you, both. Very useful information!

Regarding turning radius, do you believe the rear steering option is worth getting?

Also, I was wondering about whether it was worth getting the insulated glass for noise reduction. We are in Florida. The Tesla Y is better than my old Model 3 which didn’t have double-pane glass and was incredibly noisy, especially on the highway.

 

[tmrqs]

Thank you, both. Very useful information!

Regarding turning radius, do you believe the rear steering option is worth getting?

Also, I was wondering about whether it was worth getting the insulated glass for noise reduction. We are in Florida. The Tesla Y is better than my old Model 3 which didn’t have double-pane glass and was incredibly noisy, especially on the highway.

I have it and absolutely *love* it.
I marvel at it every time I drive the car, will 100% get it on my every new car moving forward.

 

[daveo4EV]

Thank you, both. Very useful information!

Regarding turning radius, do you believe the rear steering option is worth getting?

Also, I was wondering about whether it was worth getting the insulated glass for noise reduction. We are in Florida. The Tesla Y is better than my old Model 3 which didn’t have double-pane glass and was incredibly noisy, especially on the highway.

RWS is always a question - my feeling is you're buying a porsche - and it's an option - it's not going to make things worse - can you live with out it? 100% yes - but honestly it makes things better - but will you notice it? not really unless you get in/out of the same car with and with out RWS on a daily basis you'll never know what your missing or getting…

persoanlly I'm a sucker for checking the boxes so there are no regrets after purchase - because doing it over is vastly more expensive than doing it "right" the first time…

even high volume Porsche like the Macan are low volume cars compared to virtually any other vendor - a good "year" for porsche they sell in volumes of vehicle's that is a bad production week for most other car vendors…

so Porsche's are hard to get, expensive to purchase, and more expensive the 2nd time around - so get the way you want it the first time is the 'cost savings' approach w/Porsche…

the real problem is they ruin you for all other vehicle's and that's where it gets expensive…

check all the boxes you "want" and the ones you think you might "want" - and you'll have no regrets and not have to do it a 2nd time.

porsche doesn't charge for options, they let you neuter the car for a discount - any other vendor just includes it all up front and has a much narrower price range - Porsche will let you tear the car apart down to the bare minimum for a discount (no options selected) - but honestly the car they've designed/built and is best is the one with all the options…

 

[daveo4EV]

Thank you, both. Very useful information!

Regarding turning radius, do you believe the rear steering option is worth getting?

Also, I was wondering about whether it was worth getting the insulated glass for noise reduction. We are in Florida. The Tesla Y is better than my old Model 3 which didn’t have double-pane glass and was incredibly noisy, especially on the highway.

should I get option {blah}

the answer is "yes"

next question?

 

[daveo4EV]

sales tax alone "pays" for all the options if you have to do it over because you wimped out and didn't get it the way you wanted it the first time.

 

[Awaz]

Rear Axel Steering - many who have it like it.
Personally, I didn't option it, and I don't miss it. It's not a very big car, needing better turning radius.
And as some have observed RAS doesn't engage anyway at very slow speeds, when, for example, parking in a garage.
When I was optioning with my SA, he said you really don't need it in this size car.

 

[daveo4EV]

Rear Axel Steering - many who have it like it.
Personally, I didn't option it, and I don't miss it. It's not a very big car, needing better turning radius.
And as some have observed RAS doesn't engage anyway at very slow speeds, when, for example, parking in a garage.
When I was optioning with my SA, he said you really don't need it in this size car.

it most certainly engages for u-turns - I busted out a u-turn the other day that there was no question RWS made the turning radius tighter…

Porsche's RWS is both for low speed turning radius improvements - and high-speed stability during lane changes or similar maneuvers…

Porsche is a performance brand - they offer things other vendors do not offer - RWS is one of those options - if I didn't want RWS I'd stick with a Lexus RS

 

[Awaz]

it most certainly engages for u-turns - I busted out a u-turn the other day that there was no question RWS made the turning radius tighter…

I never said it doesn't do that. In fact, I started by saying, “many who have it like it.”
My point was, some have said here somewhere in this forum, RAS doesn't engage when approaching a garage at a very slow speed.

 

[USMA81]

I picked up my Macan at the LA Experience Center and spent time on the track with one of their driving instructors who said, "Oh, you got the rear wheel steer. That's one of the best options you could have ordered." I didn't follow up and ask why, but believe it is because it improves high performance driving (even though most of us will benefit more from any benefit it provided in low speed driving).

In my brief time in the car, I now notice that during my left and right turns at corners, I am somewhat less concerned that I might hit the curb with the rear inside wheel if I got too close during the turn-in.

There is a separate thread here on RWS. Seems like most who ordered it would do so again.

The glass upgrade: I live in Phoenix and ordered it without question and on faith alone, but as you know, it is not possible to get the rear wiper with this option. I can't compare this glass upgrade to the base glass, and it is winter anyway.

 

[bbmertz]

Pasted below is an informative excerpt from an article about RAS confirming it works at low speeds. The driving instructor at PEC Atlanta highly recommended this feature as well, even after I told him I wouldn’t be track racing the car, since he said it provided more control at highway speeds in addition to a tighter turning radius at low speeds.

I’ll let you know how I like it when I pickup my 4S in two days. After driving Teslas since 2013, I figured I might as well add this unique feature to my first Porsche and dropped a few cosmetic options to partially offset the cost.

https://www.pca.org/news/if-the-por...-with-rear-axle-steering-get-it-pca-tech-tips

 

[gregb]

My point was, some have said here somewhere in this forum, RAS doesn't engage when approaching a garage at a very slow speed.

That person might have an issue with their RAS system (or perhaps forgot to option it?). RAS works even when stationary (turning the wheel all the way will make the back wheels turn as well).

 

[Awaz]

That person might have an issue with their RAS system (or perhaps forgot to option it?). RAS works even when stationary (turning the wheel all the way will make the back wheels turn as well).

Good to know. I just stated what I read here somewhere.

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