The Macan comes with rear-wheel drive! Porsche is creating a new version of its successful SUV, the design of which meets the German goals: to offer the sportiest car in any segment. The rear-wheel-drive Porsche Macan Electric has what it takes to steal the show from the rest of the range, from its electric performance to its dynamic qualities, including its design and numerous equipment.
The Porsche Macan is a great success for the manufacturer. Launched in 2014, the compact and versatile SUV sold more than 44,000 units in its first year. In the last 10 years, it represents the brand’s bestseller 7 times. Unsurprisingly, it is also the most popular model in the French market and the first to go completely electric. It is therefore logical that the brand offers an “entry” version to complement the more powerful Macan 4, Macan 4S and Macan Turbo. And we have to admit that after a trip on Moroccan roads and a few slides in the Agafay desert, this is perhaps our favorite! Our Porsche Macan Propulsion test.
The flattering electric Porsche Macan
So our model of the day is the Porsche Macan with a rear-wheel drive gearbox. But if it’s the most affordable of the range, it’s no less flattering. The 100% electric SUV actually and quite naturally adopts the aesthetic language of the Stuttgart BEVs. So we find Front 4-element LED lightsfollowed by a fairly descending hood and surrounded by curved wings. The front, which saves while maintaining a certain compactness, because there is no longer an engine in front, but 84 liter piece instead. The silhouette of the SUV displays the Fly Line characteristic of the manufacturer’s modelsthat sloping roofline that curves subtly and connects to the taillights. However, note that the electric Porsche Macan it loses its small upper spoilerwhich perhaps “smoothes out” the appearance of a compact SUV a little too much. Still, Porsche remains attentive to aerodynamics, with an active wing helping to reduce drag.
Added to that fully effective bases as well as aero optimized rimswithout forgetting the active cooling valves at the front, which allows you to get and Cx 0.25 compared to 0.33 for thermal elder. The Side Blades remain unchanged. Finally, the rear is not left out with a continuous 3D light strip and Porsche lettering in the center of the tailgate. The top of the range Macan Turbo differs only aesthetically in the bumpers, slats and rear spoiler. Porsche Macan RWD it remains a “compact” SUV to dimensions suitable for the city and for family trips. It measures 4.78 m in length, 1.94 m in width and 1.62 m in height. Its 2.89m wheelbase benefits on-board roominess and our test model rides on large 22in wheels, shod with 255/40 front and 295/35 rear Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres.
Porsche atmosphere and à la carte equipment inside
We walk through the frameless doors and take our place aboard our Porsche Macan Electric. Our test model, a premium SUV, is welcoming and elegant from the base level. Leather and foam surfaces in the upper parts, perfect assembly of furniture and equipment on board, the finishes are unsurprisingly at the manufacturer’s level.
Perceived quality naturally takes a small hit when observing a few hard plastics at the bottom, but that remains a detail as the overall presentation is flattering. Special mention for Porsche logos embossed on the headrests and armrestsas well as the basic stopwatch on the dashboard. We like the front driver’s position still “Porsche”. The 12.6-inch, curved instrument panel is taken from the Porsche Taycan. Complete and fluid, it is complemented by a 10.9-inch central touchscreen. The latter shines with its responsefulfilling the premium positioning of this electric Macan. Note that it is also possible to opt for a 10.9-inch passenger screen (€1,440), which we are not entitled to today.
Front passengers benefit from this center console with leather coverwith a touchpad designed for air conditioning, as well as a compartment with two USB C ports and an inductive charging area. The driver and passenger are entitled to wrap-around and comfortable seatswith lateral support in line with the dynamic capabilities of the electric Porsche Macan. Comfort for everyday life and support for more sporty attacks.
Rear room
Passengers in the back seats are not left out either a simple but comfortable bench but enough leg and head room even for those over 1.85m. Finally, a few interesting details on the side of the trunk, p volume ranging from 540 to 1,348 l (compared to 480 to 1,288 lu Macan Turbo). From this space it is also possible to do change the ground clearance thanks to the controlled suspensionfrom -3 (Sport Plus) to +4 cm (Off-road). Finally, a small hinged plate will allow you to do this adjust the backrest angle (back seat) in two levels. There we would still prefer a simple adjustment lever accessible from the bench.
An SUV as dynamic as it is efficient
It is on the road that our electric Porsche Macan reveals all its qualities. Already on paper, the electric SUV from Zuffenhausen has everything to please us: a drive with a synchronous electric motor with permanent magnets with an output of 265 kW / 340 hp (increased to 360 hp with Launch Control) and a torque of 563 Nm. Requires electricity, start-up and acceleration are perfectly smooth and pleasantwithout forgetting absolute silence made possible by excellent sound insulation on board. If the 5.7 sz 0 to 100 km/h Launch Control is not as sensational as behind the wheel of the Macan 4S (4.1 s), it is during acceleration that our Macan with rear drive is a little more nervous, from 80 to 100 km/h in 3.3 s. The electric motor remains alive and pleasantespecially associated with the dynamic advantages of an SUV. In slightly more playful twists and turns, the drivetrain and lightweight front axle combination (110kg saved over the Macan 4) reveals an SUV that’s more dynamic than it appears. Added to that very direct directionwhich makes our electric Macan special lively and precise in sporty drivingespecially in Sport and Sport Plus modes. Watch out for sudden changes in direction.
Porsche + Desert = Drift
No wonder it does velvet on the road both in calm driving and in attack. Due to the vagaries of Moroccan traffic, the long truck across the road even forced us to take more chaotic routes. There, the electric Porsche Macan was able to prove more stable than expected, maintaining traction and grip even on crossings (ruts, fords). And that’s in normal mode. But the most fun in a Porsche? It’s sliding. Direction to the track specially prepared by Porsche in the Moroccan desert, deactivation of PSM (Porsche Stability Management) and off we go. Rear-wheel drive Macan yes a big 2.2t toy capable of drifting like a real Porsche. If you are worried about the sharp steering and the silence of the electrics during the first attempts, you will quickly get used to the need to use the steering wheel. In addition, with rear wheels turning at an angle of 5°. Specialists and some more gifted fellows than you have actually built the electric SUV the way it should. Only luck. Who said you absolutely need a 911 Dakar?
Up to 641 km of autonomy?
The electric Porsche Macan draws power from battery 100 kWh gross / 95 kWh net. This promises included WLTP autonomy between 536 and 641 km. This is an average consumption of around 15 kWh/100 km.
In practice and depending on the height difference/road profile, we rather observed consumption between 13 kWh/100 km (city, 40 to 60 km/h constant) and 19 kWh/100 km. This is due to the significant difference in altitude and mountain roads, which are naturally less forgiving to the battery. You see: the first trip of 31 km took us from 92 to 86% of the battery, an average of 22 kWh/100 km! The second demanding journey of 114 km showed 19.4 kWh/100 km.
In mixed daily use, instead, we can count on 17 kWh/100 km, or around 550 km of real autonomy which remains quite respectable in real conditions. We will still regret the absence of a “real” B mode supporting energy recovery during braking. As it stands, regenerative braking, configurable from the central screen, remains scarcely present and therefore much less effective than we would like. An active paddle behind the wheel would be perfect.
The 800 V architecture (as in the Porsche Taycan) enables ultra-fast charging of up to 270 kW. Porsche promises us a constant maximum power of up to 35%, a stabilized curve of around 200 kW. Here are the charging times for the Porsche Macan Electric:
- 11 kW AC charging: 0 to 100% in 10 hours
- DC fast charging (400 V) 135 kW: 10 to 80% in 33 minutes (125 km in 10 minutes)
- Ultra-fast charging DC (800 V) 270 kW: 10 to 80% in 21 minutes (250 km in 10 minutes)
Our rear-wheel drive Macan has two charging ports, one on each side, and a 22kW charger will be available as an option in 2025.
Electric Porsche Macan: from €82,959
Finally, what is the Porsche Macan Electric? It’s an electric SUV that’s as efficient on a daily basis as it is fun to drive dynamically. (and others). Sure, it punches its weight and remains limited by its family format. But trust us: it’s good livelier and faster than it looksthanks to the electric performance/sport DNA duo. Our entry-level rear-wheel drive model starts at €82,959to which is added the plethora of options available in the manufacturer’s catalog. At this price, the promise is kept: a car with Porsche DNA that drives like a Porsche and is personalized like a Porsche.
For our part, we’ll opt for the passenger screen (€1,440), the panoramic sunroof (€1,662), electric massaging and ventilated/heated front sports seats (€1,476 + €1,524) and the Bose 710 W audio system with 14 speakers (€1,188). Expect €660 for adaptive cruise control, €1,872 for rear-wheel steering and €2,196 for an augmented reality head-up display. Oh, and of course €822 for the Sport Chrono Pack with analogue stopwatch on the dashboard and Sport Plus mode. There you have it, a nicely equipped and 100% fun Porsche Macan Electric for a total of €95,799, compared to a starting price of €86,439 for the Macan 4 Electric and €93,091 for the Macan 4S Electric. Just choose from 13 standard paints and 59 special colors from the Porsche PTS palette.
