Macan 4 EV vs. Macan GTS ICE

[nischalr]

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).

I can empathize with your process, it mirrors mine in general, did the same with my 2023 Taycan.

I'm hoping that there is some suspension tuning differences as you go up in power level of trims, and that PTV and rear wheel steer enhance the overall effect. You can't fight weight though, so I fear the Pocket rocket, hot hatch performance days of the ICE Macan are over.

I do wish they offered a full leather Black and Chalk, the other two tone full leather options are not to my taste. Monotone full leather is not to my taste at all unless I went down the path of deviated seat centers and deviated stitching, slippery slope.

Some compromises were made on our order for sure, short term lease in our case, so still time to consider a more optimized version in a few years with a GTS if things improve, or maybe consider something else. I'm done with Audi's to be honest, just a little repetitious for us. Can't think of anything else desirable enough outside of the Macan EV despite the initial launch hiccups.

 

[SergeyIndy]

I can empathize with your process, it mirrors mine in general, did the same with my 2023 Taycan.

I'm hoping that there is some suspension tuning differences as you go up in power level of trims, and that PTV and rear wheel steer enhance the overall effect. You can't fight weight though, so I fear the Pocket rocket, hot hatch performance days of the ICE Macan are over.

I do wish they offered a full leather Black and Chalk, the other two tone full leather options are not to my taste. Monotone full leather is not to my taste at all unless I went down the path of deviated seat centers and deviated stitching, slippery slope.

Some compromises were made on our order for sure, short term lease in our case, so still time to consider a more optimized version in a few years with a GTS if things improve, or maybe consider something else. I'm done with Audi's to be honest, just a little repetitious for us. Can't think of anything else desirable enough outside of the Macan EV despite the initial launch hiccups.

There is no way I can see myself getting my hands on test driving like a Macan EV Turbo with Rear Wheel Steer and PTV+, which would be the real test if I want to compare it to Macan GTS that has all performance options.

I agree, interior leather options are very limited at launch, so will be monitoring if they expand, but I agree and do not understand why they could not offer full leather in Black/Chalk on the Macan EV since that neutral color combo option goes well with about any exterior color.

I agree, we cannot see now going outside of Porsche as we have exceptional relationship with the dealer and just love our current cars. Then any car we decide to let go, we have people ready to buy them. Our 2016 Macan Turbo was in exceptional shape and the buyer was waiting for us to let it go, it had 72K miles after 8 years, loaded, looked amazing, went for a big premium vs. market and the dealer CPO'd it for the buyer for 3 years, since they knew the car had been in exceptional care. Thinking of longevity, I think Kyle's mom's car may not make it far or last long given the quality that they uncovered, as poor new interiors and exteriors will show wear very quickly.

 

[dgkhn]

I watch and enjoy Kyle's reviews. This is not about that.

I traded a pretty high spec 2018 Macan GTS for my new Macan 4. That GTS was my favorite ever DD by a large margin up to that point. And I've owned well over 40 cars. The 4 is my fourth Porsche. .

Both cars have red over black partial leather. Without going into a detailed analysis or deep diving into panel gaps, after almost 2 months and 1900 miles, I strongly believe the 4 presents as being higher quality than the GTS. YMMV etc but I don't understand where the negative quality comments are coming from (not talking about gremlins, range, etc, just perceived quality) (although I also think as a dd the 4 drives better).

 

[SergeyIndy]

I watch and enjoy Kyle's reviews. This is not about that.

I traded a pretty high spec 2018 Macan GTS for my new Macan 4. That GTS was my favorite ever DD by a large margin up to that point. And I've owned well over 40 cars. The 4 is my fourth Porsche. .

Both cars have red over black partial leather. Without going into a detailed analysis or deep diving into panel gaps, after almost 2 months and 1900 miles, I strongly believe the 4 presents as being higher quality than the GTS. YMMV etc but I don't understand where the negative quality comments are coming from (not talking about gremlins, range, etc, just perceived quality) (although I also think as a dd the 4 drives better).

I am glad you like your Macan 4 but the point of this thread is that I feel the opposite. However, I only driven a Macan 4 on 22-inch wheels without PTV+ or Rear Wheel Steering and seeking other more sporty setup examples to drive. Yes, I am only comparing perceived quality and sporty handling that Porsches are known for and after having 2016 Macan Turbo (21-inch summer Michelins with PTV+ and COBB tune) for 8 years and now 2024 Macan GTS on 21-inch all season Michelins and PTV+, to me, they are a level above in (interior/exterior) quality and sporty handling.

Now, given the latest Kyle video, linked above, where he can literally poke his finger into a 7mm gap this would be unthinkable on our 2016 Macan Turbo. You do not need any measuring to see in this picture, how tight and perfect panel gaps are after 8 years and 72k miles, mind you. How can that not impact someone's purchasing decision coming from this that was built in 2015 with high expectations for quality.

,

 

[ColdCase]

Wasn't there a review or discussion recently about recent ICE Macans being produced with perceived lower quality. Perhaps it is a Porsche wide thing in general, in their more entry level offerings? Maybe on can option up an ICE Macan to better look and feel options.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Wasn't there a review or discussion recently about recent ICE Macans being produced with perceived lower quality. Perhaps it is a Porsche wide thing in general, in their more entry level offerings? Maybe on can option up an ICE Macan to better look and feel options.

I am a long time Macan ICE forum member. Since the latest revision that started in 2022, there are no reports of any issues with Macan ICE quality, as it is a stable, refined, and mature product now. I have asked and researched it deep before making a 2024 Macan GTS purchase decision and now after a year and 10k miles it has been flawless. I am just waiting on a COBB to provide support to unlock more power, but that's about it.

 

[byebye]

The thing that surprises me is that an ‘ICE Macan of 2 tons+ with a higher gravity center would behave better than an EV Macan of 2.4 tons with a lower gravity center? To me, the gravity center is one of the key point when it comes to driving behavior Of an heavy/high car, meaning a SUV.

I should try a Macan GTS to figure it out and understand your feelings, for the records

 

[dgkhn]

I am glad you like your Macan 4 but the point of this thread is that I feel the opposite.

You're the OP. Some posters have agreed with you, and some have not. My thought is the point of forums like this is multifold: to express opinions, to discuss those opinions, to ask questions, to seek guidance, and to provide information. Folks researching cars may come to threads like this days, weeks, months or even years later. Siince I am the previous owner of an ICE Macan and now own an EV Macan, I thought it would be worthwhile for people to see that there is a divergence of opinion on this issue and not to take from this that the EV is definitively inferior to the ICE.

All I can say right now is if I were offered the opportunity to trade my Macan 4 back to get a Macan ICE, I would keep the EV.

On the specific issue of perceived quality, I personally feel the EV is superior to the ICE. (By the way, my Macan GTS clamshell hood never did fit correctly. That bothered me only very slightly on the Macan. I was much more picky about my 2019 Boxster, which I have to say was close to perfect.)

 

[USMA81]

I think your impressions of the Macan ev are a bit off.

Performance: I drove the Macan Turbo at the LA Experience Center when I took delivery of my new 4. I drove it extremely hard for 90 minutes, both on the track and doing full-power launches. It kept up easily with the 911 S pace car which I believe wasn’t holding anything back. I came away feeling it is a proper Porsche sports car hiding in the body of an SUV. I drove equally hard a Taycan S the next day and, in many ways, I’d be hard pressed to tell the difference if I were blindfolded. The driving instructor said that the Macan 4‘s top speed was only slower than the Turbo by 15 miles per hour at the end of the launch track. His comment was that for the vast majority of drivers, the 4 would offer more than enough performance. Just as background, I’ve owned four Porsche vehicles, most recently a Cayman S and a Cayenne GTS - a bit of both sides of the company. I liked those ICE vehicles, but many things offered in the Macan are newer technology. The Macan S wasn’t being offered yet when I ordered; the turbo was a year’s wait; I got the 4 (if I care to, I can use sport mode for a bit more performance).

Quality: Kyle’s mom spec’ed her Macan at a low level. Some of his comments on the interior were a result of that. You can’t compare a GTS configuration to a lowly spec’ed model. You can option away much of the plastic. I also think it it is difficult to compare a Macan to the Taycan. The Taycan, similarly optioned, is a lot more money and should feel more premium (just as the Cayenne should feel more premium versus the Macan).

I don’t have the paint defects on my vehicle that he noted. I do see a difference in rear door panel gaps, left to right side, but other gaps look good. I don’t have any rattles or squeaks. That review was very critical, as they noted several times themselves in the video. Any first year owner is going to be at greater risk for defects.

I agree with you on the seats. I have 14-way and I’m pretty slim. I fit better between the very tight Cayman bolsters.

You keep offering rebuttals to observations of these owners. Your other option is to wait a couple of years to get the Cayenne ev.

 

[SergeyIndy]

^ Good feedback, @USMA81, as I am still evaluating Macan EV trim and tire setups for sporty handling.

I recently drove Macan 4S on 21-inch all seasons but no PTV+ or RAS.

Performance: This has not been an issue with driving either Macan 4 or 4S as both to me have plenty for around city and highway. I launched the 4S and it is not neck snapping fast and actually felt too controlled and too gradual to get up to 60 mph, but I am not after that.

Sporty Handling: I am just not getting the sporty handling that I am used to in Macan GTS (with PTV+) that this is intended to replace. The 21-inch setup drove with much less body lean (than Macan 4 on 22 inch all seasons), but still did not feel as sporty on roundabouts. After looking at the tires, they looked very chunky with tall and round side walls vs. narrow and flat side walls of Macan GTS Michelin all seasons, with GT 21-inch wheel and tire specs certainly favoring Macan GTS.

Next, I need to find a Turbo that will have PTV+ standard but needs to have RAS. I do not think it will be possible to find an example to test drive any time soon.

 

[PanameraFrank]

Just keep the ICE GTS. It sounds like the right car for you. PTV+ makes almost no difference.

It's okay not to like the eMacan but I haven't really seen anyone else suggest they like the ICE more and it certainly has more body roll than the eMacan (which is not surprising considering it's a front engine car with a higher center of gravity.)

Something about it doesn't sit right with you, so stick to the ICE. But I think very few people, as evidenced by this thread & every single review I've seen or read, would agree that the ICE handles better.

 

[SergeyIndy]

I do not know a single Macan ICE owner like myself who have switched to Macan EV and have confirmed the sporty handling superiority of Macan EV. I have asked Macan ICE forum owners.

Reviewers are not every day Macan ICE owners. The relevance of this specific comparison is that Porsche's intent is to discontinue ICE and replace it with EV.

 

[tmrqs]

I do not know a single Macan ICE owner like myself who have switched to Macan EV and have confirmed the sporty handling superiority of Macan EV. I have asked Macan ICE forum owners.

Reviewers are not every day Macan ICE owners. The relevance of this specific comparison is that Porsche's intent is to discontinue ICE and replace it with EV.

@platypus did unless I’m mistaken.

 

[platypus]

It’s only my personal opinion of course, but as I said earlier in the thread, I would take the handling of the Macan EV (granted, I have rear-wheel steering) any day over the ICE version.

Sponsored