[Thoughts] - Macan 4 Loaner vs. Macan Turbo EV (owned)

[daveo4EV]

Hello all,

this post is to simply share some long term observations as I now have the opportunity to swap between a Macan 4 EV and Macan Turbo EV on a daily basis…the options are not quite the same but both cars are well optioned and equipped and I've noticed some concrete differences…which I'm sharing here

first off: why the Macan 4 Loaner? Well my wife's and my 2021 Cayenne TurboS eHybrid is in the shop for some service - at my request they did a battery diagnostic and they found what I suspected - some of the battery cells are no longer giving us their full effort, and the car is remarkably down on power with in pure-EV-mode (eMode) - and I want this fixed while the car is still in warranty - so my lovely Cayenne is in for service while we wait for non-deterministic parts delivery schedule…I'm anticipating this will take a while - we'll see - details can be found here: https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-9y0-2019/1499616-status-update-2021-cayenne-turbos-ehybrid.html

given this long duration service I was given some preferential treatment on my loaner selection from my local Porsche dealer - originally I was given a poorly optioned base 2025 Cayenne - and I request a Macan EV at their first opportunity - and about a week later I swapped the Cayenne base for the well equipped Macan 4 EV - I'm much happier…

the Macan 4 is well optioned but not "over the top": it has Innodrive, HUD, Bose, Passenger Display, Massage Seats, heated steering wheel, air suspension, comfort access, etc…

but does not have: Noise Insulated glass, full leather, headliner, rear window shades

22" wheels are on the car…with the nice silver rims.

Car is gentian blue (one of my favorite colors) with a black interior

I can't tell if it has RWS and I can not rule it in or out

this posting is a supplement to my original thoughts when I first had a Macan 4 - see this thread…https://www.macanevowners.com/forum/threads/turbo-service-and-macan-4-loaner.22167/

when I had the previous Macan 4 I was not switching back/forth between the 4 and my Turbo because the Turbo was in for service.

Since it's my cayenne in service - I am now in/out of both the 4 and the turbo sometimes multiple times in the same day - this has afforded a rare "A/B" test of trim and "power level" and options…as I sometimes get out the 4 and right in the Turbo and I can immediately "see/feel" some differences…

TLDR; the 4 has impressed me - and many would do well with it - options matter more than power as the 4 is simply excellent - but it's no turbo.

so let's get to it - here are my A vs. B thoughts in no particular order

• Let's start with the elephant in the room - the 4 is "down on power' vs. the Turbo - and before I had driven a 4 I would have _NEVER_ considered it. After living with it for a couple of weeks. The power level is "acceptable" and "sufficient" and no one will suffer in this car - especially coming from virtual any other mid-sized gas powered SUV…
  • from a dead stop the 4 lacks greatness - but it's way way better than most ICE SUV's and probably better than most trim levels of a gas Macan
    • I continue to believe even "lesser" EV's are simply better cars for most people the drive vs. the crappy ICE motors and transmissions most people are actually driving
  • once the car is "moving/rolling" the acceleration differences are less pronounced for accelerating/passing etc…the car is quite spunky
  • the car's power level and responsiveness is quite good and again marked improvement vs. most gas powered SUV's
  • for me personally this would given me confidence to forgo the Turbo level in a future Macan EV and live with a 4S or GTS - I personally want a smidge more greatness from a dead stop (but that's a personal failing/weakness) because again once the car is rolling it has more than enough power for any normal driving situation
• the loaner lacks Thermal/Insulated glass - but I have it on my Turbo - when ever I get out the Turbo and then drive the loaner 4 - I feel ike the windows are not quite closed - and I instinctively reach for the power window buttons to 'close' the windows - feeling they are open just a bit letting noise in - alas the windows _ARE_ closed and that's just the increased noise level due to the lack of sound insulation. It's not a bother, but it is an increased elevation in normal road/wind noise - such that at 60 mph or greater it just "feels" like the windows are 'leaking' wind noise
  • having now experienced the difference first hand - noise/thermal windows will remain on my "must have" personal options list - the car is quieter or more comfortable with these windows than it is with out them
  • it's been too cold to experience any difference in thermal situation - so I have no comparison
• Surprise - loaner has the rear wiper - because of this there is less visibility out the back due to a "hump" for the wiper motor/mechanism - it's not critical or annoying - I simply note it - but having now had a Macan EV with the wiper but no Noise-glasss - I'll take the glass thank you very much and a gain a slightly bigger rear window "portal"…
• 22" wheels - the car is a bit more bouncy and ride quality suffers on the more sporty 22" wheels vs my 20" standard wheels on my Turbo - the wife notes this in the 4 "unprompted" - such that she thought it lacked the air suspension - but no it's the 22" tires which are less compliant vs. the taller side wall 20" tires
  • no controlled or meaningful differences in range for the type of driving I'm doing and I don't expect to be able to provide meaningful feedback in this space during my loaner's tenure with me.
• I'm missing the full leather interior - it's just nicer - and less plastic - the loaner does not suck - but it's not a nice and there are more hard plastics
• I'm missing the nicer headliner - loaner has a the standard slightly rougher to the feel cloth headliner vs. the nicer alcanterra headliner in my Turbo
• I miss the rear window shades because it affords greater privacy for the rear area when parked and leaving things in the back seat - you simply can barely see into the back seat with the window shades "up" and I like the lack of visibility "into" the vehicle when parked
• Handling is virtually identical between the two models - this is not surprising
• Loaner has sports chromo - my Turbo has "compass" so I'm lacking sports plus as a setting - so far I'm not seeing anything with the sports plus that I'm missing in my Turbo (which does not have it because of the compass option)
• I like my upgraded rubber floor mats - especially in the wet weather winter we're having
• the loaner has chrome and aluminum trims vs. my Turbo has black roof bars/window trim - my wife and both prefer the black/darker colors vs. the silvers/grey/chrome - personal bias/choice…
• I haven't compared the headlights, nor do I even know if there are differences
• both cars have the HUD - I consider this a stand out feature/option - get it if you even remotely think you'll like having a HUD…

those are the specific differences I've noted so far…

and this brings me to my final point - unlike Porsche's ICE cars - the difference between trim levels on their EV's boil down to simple power difference, no character differences - I would have virtually no complaints between the 4 and my Turbo if the options were identical - the _ONLY_ difference would be the power level - which is more than acceptable …. this renders Porsche's business model "less powerful" and explain much of their problems attempting to compete the EV world - they charge too much for options and there is almost no reason to pick a higher trim level - you gain very very little when I can simply option a lower trim level to be nearly identical … this is not true with say a base 911 vs. a 911 TurboS - it's more than just options…{sigh}

those are my personal observations about my loaner 4 vs. my personal Turbo Macan EV - having access to the 4 vs. my Turbo - I'm glad for the options/wheels I chose - and I'm missing some of my options on the 4 loaner when I drive it…the noise glass and 22" wheel differences are the biggest "surprise" for me personally so there is that - take it for what you will…

I'll share more if I think about it - I think I'll have the 4 with me until at least the end of Feb. unless Porsche surprises me with new battery parts for my Cayenne…

quesitons/comments are welcome.

Sponsored

 

[RGBArgee]

Maybe you need a 4S?

 

[daveo4EV]

Maybe you need a 4S?

I'm happy with my Turbo - and they have no 4S's as loaners - I'm simply noting how good the 4 actually is - and the main things I'm not liking are "options" ;-)

 

[Tacoman]

Thanks! Good observations! I have only test driven a 4 and 4S. The 4 is no slouch. It gets the job done. I almost went for a highly optioned 4....vs the 4S. I am happy w the 4S and my 22's... and I thank the man upstairs that the road quality is not bad where I live...otherwise 20's or 21's woulda been configured

 

[daveo4EV]

The loaner…Macan 4

the rear window in the loaner w/rear-wiper…note the hump for the motor/mechanicals for the wiper…this reduces visibility out the back some what…

the rear window in my 2024 Turbo w/NO rear wiper - and no hump in the rear window for the extra stuff …

 

[daveo4EV]

the 22" inch wheel difference are are a big surprise for both my wife and myself - as this is a long term loaner - we've now had it for over 2 weeks- and because it's now integrated into our daily lives - we're driving all the normal surface streets and highways we normally drive ever day - you know the ones where you know _EVERY_ bump/pot-hole, curb entrance, undulation in the road because you drive that section of road multiple times a day and go over the same exact pavement 100's of times a month…

well I can say without a doubt the 22" wheels + air suspension is pretty good - but if smooth and supple is your goal the 20" + air suspension is simply a less dramatic ride - it's less bumpy and simply absorbs more of the road than the 22" wheels…the Macan 4 with air suspension and 22" inch wheels is just more bouncy and less tolerant of road surface quality issues…my Turbo with 20" wheels simple rides softer and less of the road makes itself known to the passengers.

the difference is real, and it's noticeable - but I wouldn't rule out the 22' wheels because of this - but you are compromising ride quality a bit.

 

[alxman]

@daveo4EV , what’s wrong with your wife? Per your note:

“Well my wife and my 2021 Cayenne TurboS eHybrid is in the shop for some service - at my request”

Lol

 

[daveo4EV]

Since it's now my assertion that it's the options that matter more than the trim level I went to the North American Porsche site and built 3 "identical" cars - each car "matches" my current 2024 Turbo build (as close as is possible for current MY 2026)

I build a 4S, GTS, and Turbo

• 2026 Macan 4S EV - $127,760 - https://porsche-code.com/PTZ2U2G0
• 2026 Macan GTS EV - $131,810 - https://porsche-code.com/PTZBCPB0
• 2026 Macan Turbo EV - $135,780 - https://porsche-code.com/PT4986H1

$8,020 spread between the 4S and Turbo

I'm of two minds about this - you don't "need" the Turbo - but for $8020 I don't know what you're holding back on - in for a penny in for a pound…

 

[daveo4EV]

@daveo4EV , what’s wrong with your wife? Per your note:

“Well my wife and my 2021 Cayenne TurboS eHybrid is in the shop for some service - at my request”

Lol

she's upset that her Turbo is in for service …

 

[SergeyIndy]

Super helpful head-to-head comparison. I mentioned in my other thread driving the Turbo without Thermal Glass the wind noise was unbearable. I did not realize that the wiper creates completely different rear glass, so another strike against the wiper, never wanted it anyway. The wheel size to me is the biggest issue for comfort and looks (just too big in person), so going with a 21-inch for the GTS order that I am about to make.

 

[daveo4EV]

I did not realize that the wiper creates completely different rear glass,

this difference surprised me also and it took me a few days tor realize what it was - I noticed a difference but it took me a couple of days to realized - OMG the rear windows are actually different!!! and then I noticed the hump!!!

I was like OMG I never knew!!!

that observation triggered me to write this post - I don't think most people realize that particular difference!

so yeah I really really wanted to provide concrete A vs. B feedback first hand as to how these options "change" the car and what I value or do not value in my builds.

it's honestly for me a pretty rare opportunity to get to go head to head like this for normal daily driving on 2 similiar but slightly different builds of the same car.

 

[SergeyIndy]

this difference surprised me also and it took me a few days tor realize what it was - I noticed a difference but it took me a couple of days to realized - OMG the rear windows are actually different!!! and then I noticed the hump!!!

I was like OMG I never knew!!!

that observation triggered me to write this post - I don't think most people realize that particular difference!

so yeah I really really wanted to provide concrete A vs. B feedback first hand as to how these options "change" the car and what I value or do not value in my builds.

it's honestly for me a pretty rare opportunity to get to go head to head like this for normal daily driving on 2 similiar but slightly different builds of the same car.

My dealer has zero Macan EVs, so I had to drive 2 hours to a dealer who had a few used, 1 new 4, and just arrived Turbo that I drove. However, it puzzles me who configures them as option combo was terrible and it was a 2025 in January of 2026 - why such delay?

 

[CraigW1]

the 22" inch wheel difference are are a big surprise for both my wife and myself - as this is a long term loaner - we've now had it for over 2 weeks- and because it's now integrated into our daily lives - we're driving all the normal surface streets and highways we normally drive ever day - you know the ones where you know _EVERY_ bump/pot-hole, curb entrance, undulation in the road because you drive that section of road multiple times a day and go over the same exact pavement 100's of times a month…

well I can say without a doubt the 22" wheels + air suspension is pretty good - but if smooth and supple is your goal the 20" + air suspension is simply a less dramatic ride - it's less bumpy and simply absorbs more of the road than the 22" wheels…the Macan 4 with air suspension and 22" inch wheels is just more bouncy and less tolerant of road surface quality issues…my Turbo with 20" wheels simple rides softer and less of the road makes itself known to the passengers.

the difference is real, and it's noticeable - but I wouldn't rule out the 22' wheels because of this - but you are compromising ride quality a bit.

What were the tire pressures for the 22's? Dealer usually will set at Full Load (44 psi) but setting the pressures at Partial Load (39 psi) greatly improves overall ride.

 

[daveo4EV]

What were the tire pressures for the 22's? Dealer usually will set at Full Load (44 psi) but setting the pressures at Partial Load (39 psi) greatly improves overall ride.

good point - I'll check and update…

 

[joeev]

Regarding the comment about character differences, I've heard initial rumors that the GTS does actually have a different driving character. I'm looking forward to more in depth reviews when they start coming out.

I originally wanted insulated glass on my turbo, I decided to pull the trigger on a car without it. While I do hear some wind noise at highway speeds, it's still quieter than both of my ICE Mercedes (GLE and E class). So it's still a win. "Unbearable" is a bit of hyperbole in my opinion.

Sponsored