• Four electric versions
• Rear-wheel drive feels best
• Turbo is seriously quick

Porsche Macan electric motors and batteries

There’s no petrol or diesel Macan this time – every version is electric. The range starts with the rear-wheel-drive Macan, which makes 360hp and 563Nm. That’s good for 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, but more importantly, it feels punchy in the real world.

Next up is the Macan 4. This adds a front motor for four-wheel drive and increases power to 408hp and 650Nm, cutting the 0-62mph time to 5.2 seconds. It’s slightly quicker, but the difference is hard to notice in normal driving.

Things really kick off with the Macan 4S (516hp, 820Nm, 0–62mph in 4.1 seconds) and Macan Turbo (639hp, 1,130Nm, 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds). These models are devastatingly fast, but also less composed. Unless you need supercar pace in an SUV, the entry-level car is the one to have.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Best with steel springs
• Rear-drive model is sweet spot
• Sharper than rivals

The Macan is a revelation. It might weigh more than 2.2 tonnes, but it masks its mass well and feels properly sporty. The steering is quick and direct, the body control is taut and the standard steel-sprung setup gives great composure on bumpy roads.

Air-sprung versions aren’t quite as sweet. They’re more unsettled, especially in Sport Plus driving mode, and struggle to contain the car’s bulk over poor surfaces. The rear-wheel-drive Macan, by contrast, feels balanced and confidence-inspiring.

Even in its slowest spec, performance is brisk. The throttle response is instant, and there’s no lag or hesitation. It’s quicker and more fun than most rivals – including the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Tesla Model Y – and stops better too, thanks to natural-feeling regenerative braking.

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The Macan Turbo adds four-wheel steer for extra agility, but it also makes the car feel more jittery. There’s a lot going on beneath you, which makes it harder to settle into a groove. The simpler model just works better for everyday use.

The standard Macan rides on coil springs and 20-inch wheels, and it’s this combination that delivers the best comfort. It takes the edge off potholes and stays settled at speed, with impressive suppression of wind and road noise.

Air suspension is available on the Turbo and optional on other versions. It offers more adjustability, but in practice it’s not always more comfortable. Stick to the standard set-up unless you really need the flexibility.