Porsche\u2019s smaller SUV has come into its own as the brand\u2019s best selling model embracing electrification and offering a sharp-handling, practical and easy to live with car that\u2019s as at home in town as it is on the open road<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Happy anniversary. In fact, happy Macaniversary<\/em>. It\u2019s been just over a decade since Porsche released the second of its two sports utility vehicles (SUVs). And the sightly smaller of those two, the Macan, is enjoying its position as the best-selling Porsche in the company\u2019s lineup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Cayenne SUV debuted in 2002, with a second generation in 2010 and a third generation in 2017, facelifted for model year 2024. Some were sceptical about the idea of a company better known for its sports cars dipping its toe into the SUV market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They were soon silenced by Cayenne\u2019s popularity and its adherence to the brand\u2019s hallmarks of handling and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Macan meanwhile joined the company\u2019s lineup in 2014. There were a couple of minor facelifts before an all-new version which launched last year, aimed at incorporating an all-electric powertrain. The Macan has since become the firm\u2019s best-selling model, shifting 850,000 units worldwide and over 24,000 in the UK in 2024 alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Surprisingly the second most popular model is not the large, more practical Cayenne SUV, but Porsche\u2019s venerable 911 sports car, and I can see why. Comparing the smaller Macan and larger Cayenne the former is hardly lacking in practicality or interior space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prototypes of a new Cayenne have already been seen testing and with competitors like Aston Martins\u2019s DBX, Defender Octa, Bentley\u2019s Bentayga and Lotus\u2019s Emeya to face down, it\u2019s likely that the next Cayenne will grow significantly in both size and price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Macan, though, offers everything you\u2019re likely to need, exceeding expectations by a country mile\u2026 and talking about county miles, if you\u2019ve a few of those to dispatch, there are few cars better to drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First impressions? It\u2019s bigger than expected and higher-riding, ideal for our choppy road surfaces, mitigating potholes and patchy surfaces well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Around town, excellent cameras and parking sensors shrink its dimensions to a manageable size, but then on fast straight roads \u2013 like the A15 from the Humber Bridge to Lincoln \u2013 it\u2019s a joyously quiet and smooth cruiser that loves refined tarmac, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So far, so smooth, but then get the car on a twisty county road like the one between Riseholme and Nettleham, past the agricultural campus\u2019s college, and it\u2019s taut handling and disciplined feel both inspire a genuine sense of confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t profess to be a racing driver, and on public roads when I\u2019m in a borrowed vehicle I retain the utmost respect for a car, but you don\u2019t need to forensically assess the Macan\u2019s ride or handling, nor do you need to drive erratically to see it at its best. Whether you\u2019re a driver who takes a keen technical interest in what\u2019s going under the tyres or somebody who doesn\u2019t give it a second thought, and just gets in and drives, you\u2019ll appreciate the fact that the Porsche Macan just feels generally exceptional, all the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I rather wish I could say something more technically insightful. But the fact is, it\u2019s just well-behaved, fuss-free and pleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For now, Macan is available in either petrol or all-electric versions. If you\u2019re adamant that you\u2019re not ready for electrification\u2026 well, fine. You\u2019ll still find the Macan a pleasure. But remember this was a car intended to be all-electric, designed that way the ground up. And the electric expression of Macan suits its fuss-free personality best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a rear-wheel drive Electric version at the start of the range, then the all-wheel drive 4 Electric \u2013 the version we tested \u2013 followed by the hot 4S Electric and scorching Turbo Electric version. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The very least you\u2019ll enjoy is a 60mph dash in 5.7 seconds which we reckon is plenty for anyone. Our 4 Electric reaches 60mph in 5.2 seconds and has all-wheel drive which, to us, makes it the sweet spot in the range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faster versions are impressive on paper but if anything, the extra power is superfluous for daily driving. Our model, fully charged, offers an ample range of between 321 and 380 miles which to our mind is a usable blend of performance and practicality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than spending money on a hotter Macan, we\u2019d suggest spending the budget on a few of your preferred options instead. Macan is well-equipped with its 20\u201d wheels, heated and electrically adjustable Sport-Tex and leather seats, wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay connectivity, climate control, powered tailgate, park assist plus its reversing camera and cruise control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our model, though, was loaded with toys. We\u2019d definitely specify Adaptive Cruise Control at a reasonable \u00a3500 (it\u2019s a good system), and your standard 20\u201d alloys will thank you for the scuff-saving 360\u00b0 camera with active parking support at \u00a3800. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond that there are three different paint levels \u2013 Shades, Dream and Legends \u2013 the option to paint your vehicle to a specific sample, plus 10 wheel designs, and 12 different options for your leather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can easily swell the price of your Macan, but the ability to create a bespoke car to appeal to your personal priorities is welcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I have to say, too, that the Bose Surround Sound System (\u00a3917) is the best stereo I\u2019ve ever experienced in a car: crisp and clear with detailed sound at even low volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Gentian Blue metallic paint really suited the car as well, accentuating its low bonnet and handsome rear. It\u2019s the colour we\u2019d opt for, though I\u2019d lighten up the interior with a chalk coloured upholstery rather than our all-black interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Space in the front is exceptional, storage is generous, especially in the centre console, rear space is good, accommodating even our 6\u20192\u201d teenager, who just won\u2019t stop growing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The boot \u2013 long and wide \u2013 does suffer slightly by the rakish rear profile but at 540 litres in capacity, it\u2019s still up there with its rivals, and there\u2019s a small front boot ideal for storing charging cables, which is useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A weekend on, and from an initial impression of \u2018that\u2019s pretty,\u2019 grew a huge respect for just how well-rounded the Macan is. It\u2019s a superb driver\u2019s car, proving that performance and practicality can co-exist happily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Build quality is exceptional, performance is athletic and effortless as a quiet cruiser. It\u2019s likely that you\u2019ll never want for anything more than the competence and quality that underwrites just why Macan is Porsche\u2019s best-selling model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ufeffPorsche Macan 4 Electric<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Price:<\/strong>\u2008\u00a371,200 (Macan range from \u00a368,500).
Powertrain (4 Electric):<\/strong> All electric, 100kWh battery, 408ps, 650Nm torque, all-wheel drive via seven-speed PDK automatic gearbox.
Performance:<\/strong> 137mph, 0-60mph 6.3 secs.
Range:<\/strong> 380 miles range, 21 min charge from 0-80% with DC Connection.
Equipment: <\/strong>Power tailgate, climate control, cruise control, electrically adjustable\/heated seats, reverse camera\/sensors. Wireless charging and Apple CarPlay\/Android Auto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n