First Impressions: 2025 Porsche Macan - Has going electric ruined It?

KUALA LUMPUR: The second-generation Porsche Macan has arrived, and whether you love it or loathe it, there’s no escaping this reality—if you want Porsche’s entry-level SUV today, you’re getting an EV.

No more ICE, no hybrid, just pure electric power for now.

It’s a gutsy move from Porsche, but does the Macan still have that signature Porsche magic, or has it been sanitised into just another soulless EV?

Luckily, we managed to find out, because Porsche Malaysia handed us the keys for an all-encompassing test drive—navigating the chaotic streets of KL, stretching its legs on high-speed intercity highways, and finally, unleashing it on a dynamic playground in Sepang, where we pushed it the way a Porsche was truly meant to be driven.

We had the opportunity to experience the Macan 4, which sits one level above the base model and comes with a price tag of RM445,000. It delivers a maximum power output of 408 PS and 650 Nm of torque, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. 

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The top speed is rated at 220 km/h, while its WLTP-rated range extends up to 613 km on a full charge. Charging is also impressive, with 270 kW DC fast charging capable of replenishing 10 to 80% of the battery in just 21 minutes. For home charging, the 11 kW AC option provides a full charge in approximately 10 hours.

Interior: Sporty and comfortable

The Porsche Macan’s interior is a blend of classic Porsche craftsmanship with a futuristic, almost cyberpunk-like touch. Step inside, and you're welcomed by ambient lighting that does more than just set the mood—it actively communicates with you, subtly pulsing to relay warnings or assistive driving alerts. It’s a small but thoughtful detail that makes the cabin feel more alive.

Tech is front and center in the new Macan, with Communication Lighting now a standard feature alongside Porsche’s updated Driver Experience system.

The cockpit layout is dominated by a 12.6-inch curved instrument display and a 10.9-inch central touchscreen, with an optional 10.9-inch passenger display for those who like a co-pilot with controls. There’s even an augmented reality head-up display, because why not?

But let’s be real—while all the screens and gadgets are cool, the seats are what truly steal the show. Porsche seats always look aggressive and track-ready, making you wonder if they’ll be a nightmare on long drives.

But the Macan proves otherwise. They’re firm where they need to be, supportive in all the right places, and comfortable enough that after a full day in the car, there wasn’t even a hint of fatigue or backache. And that goes for the rear seats too—who said sporty SUVs have to sacrifice passenger comfort?

This is a reminder that legacy automakers understand what truly matters—the human experience. While new EV players can pack their cars with every feature imaginable, they often miss the finer details that make a car feel intuitive and natural to live with.

Porsche, on the other hand, gets it. It’s not just about specs or tech; it’s about how the car interacts with you, how it feels in motion, and the way every element comes together to create something that feels purpose-built for the drivers and passengers.

The daily drive test: Urban playground

It seemed like Porsche’s media drive was crafted to mimic real-world Macan ownership, meaning we started with the usual grind—navigating KL’s stop-go traffic, darting onto elevated highways, and dodging potholes deep enough to swallow compact cars whole.

At low speeds, the Macan 4 is eerily quiet, but that doesn’t mean it feels numb. Being an EV, the throttle response is instant, and there’s an underlying sense of high tension in the chassis that reminds you—this isn’t some floaty luxury EV. 

The Macan 4 may not have the bells and whistles of an adaptive air suspension like the Macan 4S and Macan Turbo, but its conventional steel spring setup proves more than capable. It takes on KL’s battered roads with ease, ironing out harsh joints and potholes without numbing the driving experience.

The ride is compliant yet still delivers the road feel you’d expect from a Porsche—comfortable, but never detached.

After driving countless EVs from China, it’s clear why an EV from a legacy automaker like Porsche stands out. They’ve mastered the art of balancing ride and handling—firm without being harsh, comfortable without feeling floaty.

We know we sound like a broken record right about now, but It truly is a level of finesse that many newer players in the EV space have yet to perfect.

Gunning It on elevated highways

Once we hit the open highway, the Macan 4 stretched its legs. With 408 PS and 650 Nm of torque, this thing pulls hard. The instant torque slingshots you forward effortlessly, and overtaking slower traffic is an absolute non-event. But while the speed is impressive, it’s the control that really stands out.

Despite its hefty 2,405 kg weight, the Macan 4 feels planted and stable, with sharp, direct steering that’s 15% quicker than before. You don’t feel like you’re piloting a bloated SUV—it’s tight, precise, and engaging, something you don’t get in most EV crossovers.

The lower center of gravity, thanks to the battery placement, makes a huge difference in stability, especially when weaving through tight gaps in traffic.

Unlike some EVs that abruptly slow down the moment you lift off the throttle, the Macan’s system delivers a smooth, natural deceleration, maintaining control without any jarring lurches.

In fact, its effortless coasting is so well-calibrated that you’ll find yourself easing off the throttle earlier than expected.

Sepang: Where the Macan proves Its worth

A Porsche isn’t just about straight-line speed—it’s about handling, balance, and fun. So naturally, Porsche Malaysia took us to Sepang to test the Macan 4’s true dynamic capabilities at Sepang’s Driving experience Centre.

The first exercise? A brutal test of the Macan’s stability control. A hydraulic kick-plate sent the rear axle into an instant skid, simulating a sudden loss of traction. It was here that Porsche’s electronic Porsche Traction Management (ePTM) system flexed its muscles.

In under 10 milliseconds, the system seamlessly redistributed torque, taming the skid before it could escalate into anything serious.

For Malaysian drivers navigating wet roads and sudden downpours, this is the kind of reassurance you’d want in your vehicle. The Macan doesn’t just step in when things go wrong—it works proactively to keep you out of trouble in the first place.

Next up, the slalom course. Weaving through tight cones at speed, the Macan 4 felt ridiculously composed. The improved steering ratio makes a world of difference—turn-in is immediate, the weight transfer is controlled, and body roll is minimal.

Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV) worked subtly in the background, ensuring grip was maximised while keeping things playful.

Many EV SUVs try to be ‘sporty,’ but the Macan actually delivers. It doesn’t just feel planted—it feels alive, something even some regular performance sedans struggle to achieve.

One of the biggest challenges with EVs is managing the weight of the battery pack, which often dulls agility. Yet, in the Macan 4, that weight seems to disappear. It feels light on its feet, always poised and ready.

Charging & Range: The numbers game

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—range. Porsche claims up to 612 km on the WLTP cycle, though real-world driving, especially with a spirited foot, will bring that figure down.

That said, after a full day of testing and enthusiastic driving, we still had around 40% charge left—more than enough to comfortably return to M Resort in Damansara. It’s a reassuring testament that range anxiety shouldn’t be a dealbreaker if you were to purchase the Macan and use it as a daily driven vehicle, which honestly is what most Macans are used for. 

Charging speeds are another highlight. Thanks to its 800V architecture, the Macan 4 can go from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes using a DC fast charger—perfect for quick top-ups on the go.

If you have the convenience of home charging, plugging it in overnight will fully recharge the battery in about 10 hours, ensuring it’s ready to go every morning without any hassle.

Verdict: A proper Porsche, just electrified

So, is the all-electric Macan 4 still a Porsche? Absolutely. It’s engaging, well-balanced, and surprisingly capable when you want to have some fun.

Sure, it lacks the spine-tingling engine roar of a petrol-powered Porsche, but it makes up for it with relentless torque, sharp handling, and everyday usability.

For purists, the lack of an ICE option is a tough pill to swallow. But let’s face it—this is the current future, but at least, Porsche isn’t half-assing it. The Macan 4 doesn’t feel like a compromise; it feels like an evolution. 

If you’re looking for a proper Porsche experience in an electric package, the Macan 4 delivers. And if this is the direction Porsche is taking with its EV SUVs, it’s off to a damn good start. 

We get it—no matter the brand, the silence of an EV will always be a tough sell for some. But for those ready to embrace a fully electrified Porsche, the Macan proves that going electric doesn’t mean sacrificing what makes a Porsche, well, a Porsche.

It’s still sharp, still engaging, and still built for those who love to drive.

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