Brutal (or honest?) review of the Macan Ev

[Garylaw]

Im on the lookout for new reviews on YouTube and I have to say this ones quite brutal and a little unjustified. He hardly covered the superior driving and handling of this car. Im ignoring the price, as i think the options are abit silly eg the passenger screen. Overall not great to hear as my next car will be a Macan Ev. Welcome any thoughts.

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[GJoMacanEV]

Honest review.

We bought a base 2025 Macan EV in March. We presently own a 2017 Macan GTS, and previously owned a 2016 911S, 2014 Cayman S and 2011 Cayman S. So, we have a reasonable amount of experience with Porsche vehicles.

I think the reviewer's comments are spot-on in every respect.

Fit, finish and interior materials are very good, but not at the level of our previous Porsche vehicles. Switches, handles, controls feel more like those found in a VW than a Porsche.

Space in rear seats is cramped. You cannot expect your adult friends to ride to dinner in comfort back there unless the folks in the front seats move their seats up considerably. For me as the driver, that's a non-starter.

The trunk has considerably less space than our Macan GTS. Why?

Suspension feels smooth but somewhat sloppy (body roll) unless Sport or Sport+ is engaged. I almost always engage Sport mode, and at the very least Sport or Sport+ suspension setting.

The electric motor whine is annoying. Indescribable really. You need to hear it and experience it yourself for a half hour or so to decide if it's something you can live with long term.

The driving position...seat and steering wheel...is not similar to our Macan GTS (or 911 and Cayman). With the 2017 Macan GTS, I relatively quickly set the seat and steering wheel to positions that closely matched the sports cars, and provided a similar driving experience. Not so with the Macan EV, which has taken several months to find acceptable seat and steering wheel positions. Even then, I don't feel like I'm sitting in a Porsche. The driving experience is simply different. Not something I expected.

Braking is sensitive, grabby and is somewhat mushy. Don't expect a typical linear Porsche brake feel akin to a 911 or Cayman (or Macan ICE). I needed to retrain myself to understand how much pressure to apply to the brake pedal to slow or stop the Macan EV effectively. I never had to do this with our previous Porsches. They all braked similarly.

Acceleration is fine, but not as quick as a higher level Macan EV. This is a sacrifice I was willing to make by purchasing the base Macan EV.

We have experienced numerous, repeated safety assist system warnings even after taking the car to Service twice for re-programming of new software. We feel like we're paying Porsche beta testers. Not a good ownership experience.

Bottom line, I believe the reviewer's comments, both positive and negative, are in line with our view of the Macan EV, and if one finds his review concerning, then an extended test drive is advised with particular attention to the items he highlighted.

 

[daveo4EV]

We bought a base 2025 Macan EV in March. We presently own a 2017 Macan GTS, and previously owned a 2016 911S, 2014 Cayman S and 2011 Cayman S. So, we have a reasonable amount of experience with Porsche vehicles.

I think the reviewer's comments are spot-on in every respect.

Fit, finish and interior materials are very good, but not at the level of our previous Porsche vehicles. Switches, handles, controls feel more like those found in a VW than a Porsche.

Space in rear seats is cramped. You cannot expect your adult friends to ride to dinner in comfort back there unless the folks in the front seats move their seats up considerably. For me as the driver, that's a non-starter.

The trunk has considerably less space than our Macan GTS. Why?

Suspension feels smooth but somewhat sloppy (body roll) unless Sport or Sport+ is engaged. I almost always engage Sport mode, and at the very least Sport or Sport+ suspension setting.

The electric motor whine is annoying. Indescribable really. You need to hear it and experience it yourself for a half hour or so to decide if it's something you can live with long term.

The driving position...seat and steering wheel...is not similar to our Macan GTS (or 911 and Cayman). With the 2017 Macan GTS, I relatively quickly set the seat and steering wheel to positions that closely matched the sports cars, and provided a similar driving experience. Not so with the Macan EV, which has taken several months to find acceptable seat and steering wheel positions. Even then, I don't feel like I'm sitting in a Porsche. The driving experience is simply different. Not something I expected.

Braking is sensitive, grabby and is somewhat mushy. Don't expect a typical linear Porsche brake feel akin to a 911 or Cayman (or Macan ICE).

Acceleration is fine, but not as quick as a higher level Macan EV. This is a sacrifice I was willing to make by purchasing the base Macan EV.

We have experienced numerous, repeated safety assist system warnings even after taking the car to Service twice for re-programming of new software. We feel like we're paying Porsche beta testers. Not a good ownership experience.

Bottom line, I believe the reviewer's comments, both positive and negative, are in line with our view of the Macan EV, and if one finds his review concerning, then an extended test drive is advised with particular attention to the items he highlighted.

comparing _ANY_ 'base' Porsche to GTS, 911S or Cayman S is a dicy comparison IMHO - I doubt you'd be simlarily enamored with a Base ICE Macan vs. your GTS as well - everything improves as you move up the Porsche trim levels - sometimes with disclosed improvements and sometimes with out…

the software issues are frustrating - but no more so than my 2022 911 TurboS or 2021 Cayenne TurboS eHybrid - I have similar failings with ACC, assistance systems, etc…I no longer pay attention to _ANY_ Porsche fault until it persists for several days across many driving sessions…this policy has substaintially reduced my dealer visits - I now simply note "faults" for a future service visit - to date none of hte faults have been actual problems and dealer can find nothing wrong…

the databus design (what ever it is) Porsche uses is terrible - and most/all the software faults have to do with communication issues where one of 56,789 computers can not talk to another of 56,789 computers that are living inside all of Porsche's products - when ever there is communication issues between any two computers Porsche seems to throw a "fault" - even though the problem may have resolved itself almost before the fault is registered and displayed to the user - these are transient issues and seem endemic to Porsche but not an actual underlying problem - I'm not sure what Porsche is going to do about this long term but it is undermining their quality…no doubt.

I "lost" ACC and lane keeping on my 2021 Cayenne once for 2-3 hour road trip segement - it sucked - we stopped for a break/gas refill and some food - came back and the car was fine all ACC/Lanekeeping restored - and it worked flawlessly for the rest of the trip - it also once "lit up the dash board" with a ton of faults and service now - while parked/idle in a parking complex - exited the car - walked away - did a bath room break - returned - car was fine - no issues.

Porsche software:

my 2024 Macan Turbo's level of "software" faults is about the same as: 2022 911 TurboS, 2023 911 GT3, 2018 911 GT3, 2021 Cayenne TurboS eHybrid, and 2020 Taycan Turbo - I'm unaware of any Porsche product that has these issues "under control" based on my personal ownership history - YMMV

shocker! the base product isn't as good as the higher trim products…if only I'd known.

 

[adamjay79]

I have a 25 Turbo that we got in March and it’s the best vehicle I’ve ever owned.

 

[GJoMacanEV]

comparing _ANY_ 'base' Porsche to GTS, 911S or Cayman S is a dicy comparison IMHO - I doubt you'd be simlarily enamored with a Base ICE Macan vs. your GTS as well - everything improves as you move up the Porsche trim levels - sometimes with disclosed improvements and sometimes with out…

shocker! the base product isn't as good as the higher trim products…if only I'd known.

Point taken. Your sarcasm notwithstanding.

I was commenting generally on the YouTube review, which is of the same vehicle, and I used comparisons with which I am familiar.

Readers are free to ignore my comparisons and take in only my observations of the Macan EV and how they align with the reviewer's.

@Garlylaw may find it helpful to decide which Macan EV model to purchase, although certain items like switches and controls will remain the same.

 

[alxman]

Besides, the chosen tires/wheels sacrifice range and road feel and noise for better looks.
Also, complaining about the lack of rear seat and trunk space makes no sense to me. The Macan is a small SUV, you must have known that before considering it as an option. If you need more space to fit your teenagers and all their stuff, get a van. We did while they were growing up.
Why add multiple expensive options to a base Macan if you are trying to economize, and then complain about the cost and quality? Just get a higher trim which has more power and some of the options as standard.
So far I am very happy with my Macan 4S which, in my opinion, is way better than the ICE version. It is sporty enough and a great daily driver. I think it is unrealistic to expect it to behave as a 911 while having the interior space of a Cadillac Escalade! Lol

 

[daveo4EV]

Macan's have never been "the choice" where back seat leg room/comfort for 2 more adults was a major concern - it is in fact why I've never liked the Macan from the first time I was shoved in the back seat for a "demo lap"…

I place feedback about the Macan's backseat being "tight/small" in the same category as sky-is-blue, water-is-wet, it-is-a-smaller-suv - ummmmm yes that's true. Next topic please.

the backseat being "too small" is an enduring characteristic of "The Macan" - in anything the EV backseat is better than the ICE version in that the EV is slightly wider…

I opt'd for the Macan now that I no longer care about hte backseat - and found it no worse than my Taycan's backseat in terms of "usefulness" - and I had 4 happy years with my Taycan and it's back seat, so the Macan's backseat is actually much better than Taycan…

if you need back seat room consider Cayenne or other "bigger" SUV's

 

[GJoMacanEV]

Why add multiple expensive options to a base Macan if you are trying to economize, and then complain about the cost and quality? Just get a higher trim which has more power and some of the options as standard.

I didn't mention anything about quality of options...except safety assist systems option...which are often throwing warnings. There are threads in these forums discussing this issue.

My comments about switches and controls apply across the model line, whether base or Turbo.

I mentioned the tight rear seat and trunk room to corroborate the reviewer's comments. We were aware of the limited space when we bought the Macan EV.

Again, I commented here because of the original post and the author's concerns about a Macan EV based on the review he linked.

Clearly, I have poked the hornets' nest, so I will step aside.

My best wishes to @Garylaw as he decides on his Macan EV purchase.

 

[daveo4EV]

Im on the lookout for new reviews on YouTube and I have to say this ones quite brutal and a little unjustified. He hardly covered the superior driving and handling of this car. Im ignoring the price, as i think the options are abit silly eg the passenger screen. Overall not great to hear as my next car will be a Macan Ev. Welcome any thoughts.

this review is not inaccurate - but may over represent characteristics of the Macan - as to how much these issues will "harsh your buzz" - well I've found that's a highly personal thing - water off a duck's back depends on the duck…

my personal experience with my 2024 Macan Turbo is all of these issue are present - but none to the degree that warrants "trashing the car" - I also find similar issues in other non-Porsche products and always come back to the same question:

• if not the macan then what?

ownership does not mean the car is perfect - it means it's the best choice among many options - having experience "other" options - well nothing stands up to detailed scrutiny and everything has flaws - the question is can you live with the flaws? Or do you want to swap one set of flaws for another/different set of flaws…I've found nothing on par substaintially 'better' than Porsche (or even my Macan) - but I've found a lot of things that are worse.

Prosche can improve, but if you're going to tear the damm thing apart at the seams - what are you buying instead and will it actually be flawless?

 

[alxman]

I didn't mention anything about quality of options...except safety assist systems option...which are often throwing warnings. There are threads in these forums discussing this issue.

My comments about switches and controls apply across the model line, whether base or Turbo.

I mentioned the tight rear seat and trunk room to corroborate the reviewer's comments. We were aware of the limited space when we bought the Macan EV.

Again, I commented here because of the original post and the author's concerns about a Macan EV based on the review he linked.

Clearly, I have poked the hornets' nest, so I will step aside.

My best wishes to @Garylaw as he decides on his Macan EV purchase.

I was replying to the video review only ?

 

[GJoMacanEV]

I was replying to the video review only ?

Kumba-ya brother. ?

 

[alxman]

@daveo4EV
Porsche software:

my 2024 Macan Turbo's level of "software" faults is about the same as: 2022 911 TurboS, 2023 911 GT3, 2018 911 GT3, 2021 Cayenne TurboS eHybrid, and 2020 Taycan Turbo - I'm unaware of any Porsche product that has these issues "under control" based on my personal ownership history - YMMV

shocker! the base product isn't as good as the higher trim products…if only I'd known.

[/QUOTE]
I have been fortunate and have had only 2-3 transient warnings after 6 months of ownership. Thankfully a lot less than other owners as documented in this forum. I agree that it is something Porsche needs to improve. Not to worry though, AI is going to solve all of their issues soon enough! Lol
But, those glitches can happen to the “best of us”. Three days ago my wife’s 2025 Tesla Model X decided to throw multiple warnings, none of the assistance functions worked. We did a couple of computer restarts without success. Then went inside Home Depot and by the time we came back to the car all the glitches had self repaired! Sounds familiar? On the other hand, the “stupid car” self drove, door to door, from UGA at Athens, GA, to our home in Atlanta. We did not touch the steering wheel until it was time to get it inside our garage. ?‍

 

[robrain]

Im on the lookout for new reviews on YouTube and I have to say this ones quite brutal and a little unjustified. He hardly covered the superior driving and handling of this car. Im ignoring the price, as i think the options are abit silly eg the passenger screen. Overall not great to hear as my next car will be a Macan Ev. Welcome any thoughts.

Thoughts? There are tens of reviews of the Macan out there. Some of them not even designed to create engagement for a YouTuber. Broadly reviews are positive, niggles are found and commented on. Owners on here (I will be soon) are mostly happy, but there are a few "squeaky wheels" in this forum who seem to want all the attention for their life-is-not-worth-living problems. My previous Porsche (992 C4S) had many software issues and one hardware one (latter fixed under warranty, former I just coped with resetting things occasionally).

in summary, keep reviews in perspective.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

Once we got the the reviewer’s incessant price fixation, he called the interior excellent, declared the steering really good, the handling precise, noted it holds on to the road very well, and lots of other positive things. While he was very unhappy that their roads, which looked to me like millions of separate baby rocks that were never steamrolled together into one cohesive surface, instead just spreading around like grains of black sand and then driving on with the summer performance tires, i.e., no ——, for isn’t that true of all performance cars with sticky tires on less than high quality roads.

Yes its price is very significant. And yes it is not perfect. Yet our Macan Turbo, our 58th vehicle, is one of the the top three we have ever had. Never before have we had a vehicle so practical, yet so fun to drive even when running errands! When our lease is over, we will enthusiastically get another one (that is IF, probably remote due to price) we do not instead hop onto the Cayenne EV).

 

[pschloes]

Six months ago I started looking for a replacement for my tesla model s & wanted an SUV that handled like a sports car, test drove the Macan 4s and fell in love with it, mostly because the way it drives. Knew the back seats were not great, but 90% of the time they're empty. Also knew the software wasn't going to be as good, but man, the way it handles...(this is the eleventh year for me in an EV & I don't really hear the motors anymore, but that may partly be due to my presbycusis)

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