(Yet) Another Macan 4S review

[TeslaHater]

Just got our Macan 4S couple of weeks back, and after contemplating for a while if I should do a review, I thought why not - maybe it has some elements which interests others. Lets do a FAQ style review!

What's the config?
Pretty Basic for a 4S ($94.8K MSRP)

• Jet Black
• 20" Macan S Wheels
• Premium Package
• Hitch receiver
• Sports Sound (money down the drain)
• Sports Chrono

I wanted a 4S, but keep the cost low and this configuration worked for me. I would have loved HUD and interior leather package but that would have meant $10k more, so I compromised and got what worked for us. I would have loved a Papaya, but there were only 2 Papaya 4S in the US left, and both were above $100k. The wheels too are not my favorite (22" Macan Sport Wheels is what tugs my heart strings), but they look decent, don't cost money and provide great ride and range - its a win/win/win!

My Car Past:
This is my 6th car. I have had 2 Mazda 3's (the best car for its money), Merc C300, Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV, Tesla Model 3 LR. This purchase was going to replace Tesla.

Which other cars did I consider?
We have committed our household to EVs. We installed solar panels with the EV in mind, and are now sort of tied to buying an EV as it practically runs for free for us, so we only considered EVs. I test drove the Lucid Air, Polestar 3, 2024 Taycan 4 and BMW i4/i5/iX.

• Lucid's subreddit is filled with issues and I did not like the design. Its a very anonymous car, that just exists! It also is plagued by the same issue that Tesla had - its a car built by a software company. Once you get past the bells and whistles, it doesn't drive with a soul - and that was a requirement for me!
• Lets not talk about Polestar 3 - that car is not ready for prime time. The car had failure while on test drive and there are tons of unhappy owners who wish they hadn't bought it. Otherwise, it was pretty good - lots of space, had some character and great interiors!
• BMW has really upped its game and I had a hard time moving on from them. They have killer prices right now on their EVs and the IX has one of the best interiors I have ever experienced - it also drives really well! The major issue I had with iX was - you already know what issue I had ! Apart from the design, it also had more body roll, on course for SUV its size. The i5 was a no-go due to the range and its not really a sports sedan. The i4, while a great car, did not have the feel I was looking for - it was much better than a Tesla, but the steering was devoid of any feedback.
• I had a really hard time moving past Taycan CT - I loved, loved, LOVED it! There were 2 primary reasons why (I) we did not get it -
  • Wife liked Macan. (should I stop here or talk about other things?)
  • The reliability! There was this article an european magazine did where they took a Taycan and a Macan across Europe, and they had a major issue with Taycan where it wouldn't DC charge. They went in depth about the main issue with Taycan, which is that each of its component has its own version which makes software updates extra complicated - its like dealing with 500 different brains, while Macan has 1 single center for updates which controls its different parts. Also, with limited EV techs at Porsche SC's - once an issue happens, you are going to be away from your car for a long time - I don't like that!
  • We liked Macan's PCM and interiors better. The Taycan's interior was more luxurious but, the Macan's just felt better! We just liked those switches and the center console design better, and the PCM felt much faster on Macan.

Why I got the 4S and not the 4 or Turbo?
I would have loved a Turbo, but that's a lot of extra money. I did test drive it, but I could not tell a major difference compared to 4S - of course it was more powerful - but that is power that I am probably never going to use and its an eye popping $20k more (That gets you a new basic Mazda 3) which I couldn't justify - however, 4S is a significant step up from 4!
This car was going to be replacing my Tesla Model 3, and the 4 felt underpowered compared to the Tesla! It felt slow off the line and lacked the punch around corners, while 4S just felt more lively. On Sports Plus mode, 4S feels smaller and lower than what it is and drives like a dream! I did not find that in the 4 and so, decided to go for 4S - loving every bit of it!

Why I love the car?

• Going to sound weird, but the 1 thing I like the most is that it drives like a gas car! The acceleration curve, lack of regen, the steering weight, and road feel -its hard to tell that its an EV and after driving the soulless Tesla for a while, I just love this feeling! It still has that crazy EV acceleration when I want it, while still continuing to feel like a gas car. This feel is still lacking in a lot of abovementioned EVs I test drove - Porsche has perfected this and I am bought into the Porsche's EV philosophy!
• Its a looker! I mean look at that thing - its a beauty. The designers IMO nailed it and they couldn't have made it any more perfect. There's just enough character to differentiate it from the Gas Macan, and that rear end is one of the best fastback designs I have seen. The new SRL design really fits the front and those Porsche curves look gorgeous!
• Friend has a 911 that I get to drive some times - that Porsche character lives on! Its there in the corners - PASM works, you feel that confidence attacking corners, that joy does come through the steering, the smile does make its way. I constantly crave back roads and taking it out in the evening.
• Suspension is really good. Its an Air suspension, with right amount of firmness at Normal - you change it to Sport/ Sports Plus and you can see how the car turns stiff. At normal, I rarely feel potholes or minor bumps - I think this also has to do with the 20" wheels, but overall, very happy with the comfort.
• Its a great place to be - the seats are comfortable and has good bolstering, the infotainment is fast, the buttons for climate control etc. are satisfying to press, there's good amount of storage inside and you can really tailor the seating position that works for you!
• I have no complaints on the software. Yes, Tesla's software is miles ahead, but its a software first car. When I compare it to Volvo or BMW, I think Porsche's software is adequate. The infotainment is fast, car functions are easy to understand and accessible, I have had 0 issues using Android Auto and Car Play and the app has all the basic functions I need.
• I am getting the advertised driving range. I am seeing ~3mi/kWH on average which will give me the advertised range. Driving carefully, I have seen as high as 4.1 mi/kWH. This is something that other brand EVs struggle with, including BMW's who are overestimating their range.

What do I not like about it?

• I miss the phone key from Tesla. BMW has it too - Porsche should have made it work and I really miss it. I constantly forget to take the keys and wish they would have included it. With phone keys, once you have experienced it, its hard to go back!
• The model that I had test driven had an interior package which made the dash linings leather - I think that should have been made standard. I hate that the dash has soft plastics, same as my Mazda 3 had! If I want one thing to change, it would be to go back and buy a car that had this package.
• I bought car from an out of state dealer. What I didn't pay too much attention to at the time of buying was - the car had a Sports GT steering wheel in Race-Tex. I hate it! If you get into a situation where you are buying a car unseen and it has this alcantara steering wheel, I would highly recommend going to your local dealer and trying it out to see if you like it. I just don't like the feel of Alcantara and its super prone to getting dirty quickly.
  
  

I hope you found my writeup helpful (for future owners)/ reassuring (current owners). I would be happy to answer any questions!

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[mbocmrkb]

Great review. Congratulations

 

[Garylaw]

Really helpful review, thank you! especially when im still pondering what model to order and what boxes to tick on the configurator. Completely agree that one of the biggest attractions (oddly) is that it seems to drive like an ICE car. One option Im 100% on is the offroad 21s really love the look and is literally a happy medium on ride/efficiency.

 

[TeslaHater]

Really helpful review, thank you! especially when im still pondering what model to order and what boxes to tick on the configurator. Completely agree that one of the biggest attractions (oddly) is that it seems to drive like an ICE car. One option Im 100% on is the offroad 21s really love the look and is literally a happy medium on ride/efficiency.

Yeah, I really like the 21" offroads, and they are a great compromise on range/ride/looks. What color you thinking?

 

[Garylaw]

Really helpful review, thank you! especially when im still pondering what model to order and what boxes to tick on the configurator. Completely agree that one of the biggest attractions (oddly) is that it seems to drive like an ICE car. One option Im 100% on is the offroad 21s really love the look and is literally a happy medium on ride/efficiency.

Like you im too late for Papaya, currently torn between Ice Grey metallic and Gentian Blue - which might be a nightmare to keep clean (im meticulous about this), id love to splash out on paint to sample but might be a stretch and challenging to get an allocated slot.

 

[Zonie4S]

Thanks for your review, well done! I test drove a 4 last September as that was all they had, and the 4S was just announced. Went into the dealer after the test drive and ordered a 4S. While the 4 is still outstanding, I wanted to ensure I had a bit more punch to play with. Turbo would be too much as my wife and I currently share the car. When accounting for the difference in the standard equipment between the 4 and 4S, it seemed like a no brainer to me

Enjoy your new ride!

 

[Garylaw]

Thanks for your review, well done! I test drove a 4 last September as that was all they had, and the 4S was just announced. Went into the dealer after the test drive and ordered a 4S. While the 4 is still outstanding, I wanted to ensure I had a bit more punch to play with. Turbo would be too much as my wife and I currently share the car. When accounting for the difference in the standard equipment between the 4 and 4S, it seemed like a no brainer to me

Enjoy your new ride!

What the difference in equipment between 4 & 4s? Other than standard PASM and bigger brakes/red callipers?

 

[SteveInKirkland]

Like you im too late for Papaya, currently torn between Ice Grey metallic and Gentian Blue - which might be a nightmare to keep clean (im meticulous about this), id love to splash out on paint to sample but might be a stretch and challenging to get an allocated slot.

I'm really curious about the colors that are not a nightmare to keep clean. Our white car is a mud magnet and our friend's forest green turbo always looks equally as dirty.

 

[Garylaw]

I'm really curious about the colors that are not a nightmare to keep clean. Our white car is a mud magnet and our friend's forest green turbo always looks equally as dirty.

Well its common knowledge that black and darker colours are the worst but for me the mustang grabber blue has been the easiest to keep clean of any car ive had, a high quality ceramic coat really helps.

 

[Station]

Your photo of the GT Steering Wheel in Alcantara is weird. Looks super fat probably because when an iPhone is held close to a subject, it stretches edges.

Race-tex/Alcantara steering wheels are not fat and may be skinnier than their leather counterpart. I have had it on each of my 3 Macans (me twice, wife once) and on two 911's. Love it to death. Here is what they actually look like. Second photo on a Macan EV.

 

[tmrqs]

Your photo of the GT Steering Wheel in Alcantara is weird. Looks super fat. They are not fat. I have had it on each of my 3 Macans (me twice, wife once). Love it to death. Here is what they actually look like:

I bet it’s the lens used on the phone, probably the 0.5x, that creates that impression.

 

[Station]

I bet it’s the lens used on the phone, probably the 0.5x, that creates that impression.

100% agree. I clarified that notion by editing my post above. Not his/her fault. I just wanted to speak up in case those who hadn't experienced the Race-Tex steering wheel thought "no way I'd get that, too much padding!"

 

[Station]

Agree with the topic creator. As cool as the Porsche key fob is, not having a phone key in 2025-26 is insanity. My kid has a Tesla Highland Model 3 which is the latest 2025 Model 3 and I drove it for a week while they were out of town. YOU JUST GET OUT and walk away. it locks. No brainer.

And you can share the key with a friend via text message and they have car privileges until you revoke it from them with a tap.

 

[TeslaHater]

Your photo of the GT Steering Wheel in Alcantara is weird. Looks super fat probably because when an iPhone is held close to a subject, it stretches edges.

Race-tex/Alcantara steering wheels are not fat and may be skinnier than their leather counterpart. I have had it on each of my 3 Macans (me twice, wife once) and on two 911's. Love it to death. Here is what they actually look like. Second photo on a Macan EV.

Thanks for better photos. To be perfectly clear, the photo wasn't meant to distort but simply as a representation of the difference in texture - it isn't thick, nor have I alluded to it being thick - its just the texture that I don't like! Its more grippy, but I am just not liking that texture! Another issue is that I have toddlers who often have sticky hands,or things they have are sticky - and handling those things and then even slightest touch makes the wheel gross - it also feels like the durability might not be the best.

I am sure a lot of people love it which is why I said that if you find a car that you like which has it, it would be best to go and try it out - you might love it (like you) or not (like me).

 

[Station]

Thanks for better photos. To be perfectly clear, the photo wasn't meant to distort but simply as a representation of the difference in texture - it isn't thick, nor have I alluded to it being thick - its just the texture that I don't like! Its more grippy, but I am just not liking that texture! Another issue is that I have toddlers who often have sticky hands,or things they have are sticky - and handling those things and then even slightest touch makes the wheel gross - it also feels like the durability might not be the best.

I am sure a lot of people love it which is why I said that if you find a car that you like which has it, it would be best to go and try it out - you might love it (like you) or not (like me).

All good. BTW - since you're living with Race-Tex going forward, you can safely clean the material with a cotton washcloth and a dish of warm but heavily diluted Dawn dishwashing detergent (just a few drops in a bowl of warm water). The shininess that a has accrued from hand oils comes right off, then pure warm water on a washcloth to finish off. It doesn't hurt it and it fluffs right back up when it dries. I typically do it every 12-14 months.

Every detailer I know does this - no need for special "Alcantara Cleaner" from detail shops. Dawn is gentle.

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