2025 Porsche Macan 4 Electric: EVs can be indulgent
Indulgence.
It’s one of those memorable words in the English language because of how it’s spoken – its phonemes are voiced until the final consonant sound. In other words, if you pronounce every letter from “i” to the last “n,” you’ll notice that your vocal cords are vibrating.
This leads to a word that, if properly enunciated, has a husky and sophisticated tone that’s hard to ignore. And the word’s long-standing interplay with sin just adds to the excitement – indulgences are forms of gratification that are so pleasurable that these seemingly violate moral codes.
Marketing people have long exploited this for products with a luxurious vibe, leading some to create a commercial with a sexy, female voice for “rich, mouth-watering chocolates, made with high-quality ingredients” (I leave it to you to uncover which brand this is).
The Porsche Macan 4 Electric, produced by one of the world’s most prolific luxury automakers, would seem to fit something that is truly indulgent, perhaps borderline sinful. But that isn’t quite so accurate.
Coupe styling
A more apt word to describe its styling, for instance, is evocative.
This is most apparent at the back, which features the largest change from the previous-generation, non-electric Macan – the steeply raked rear windscreen, full-width LED taillights and retractable spoiler evoke the famous Porsche flyline that is seen in the legendary 911 sports car.
The side profile has a high beltline and large fender flares that perfectly fit the 20-inch, two-tone alloy wheels. Frameless windows and the contrasting sideblades add to the coupe-like aesthetic, although a more eye-popping color than this test unit’s Volcanic Grey Metallic would suit those who want to stand out more.
At the front, the LED daytime running lights are integrated into the pronounced fender haunches, while the powerful LED headlights are in the lower bumper. Elements like the long hood and deep chin spoiler not only express the Macan 4 Electric’s lineage, but also contribute to its stunning 0.25 drag coefficient.
Fabulous cabin
The Macan 4 Electric may be less costly than other Porsche models, but it certainly doesn’t seem like it when you step inside.
Lovers of black leather (other colors are available) will be delighted by the vast swaths of high-quality, German hide on practically everything you can touch. Soft materials on the dashboard and door cards are par for the class, but the configurable ambient lighting adds a splash of fun, while the Bose surround-sound system offers crisp and strong audio.
There’s also room for five passengers, although the middle-rear seat could be a bit of a squeeze. However, the flat cargo area has generous space despite the sloping tailgate and includes a button to lower the rear suspension for easier loading.
The most eye-catching things in the Macan 4 Electric’s cabin are the 12.6-inch curved gauge cluster and the 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Porsche Communication Management. I found the latter easy to navigate, but the one in this particular test unit sometimes glitched, along with having difficulty to connecting with my iPhone 15 wirelessly.
This test unit also came with the 10.9-inch Passenger Display that allows your front passenger to do things like streaming videos without interfering with the main screen. However, having a passenger that is also capable of manipulating radio and navigation controls could lead to some “fun” journeys.
Happily, Porsche still retains separate physical switches for the powerful four-zone climate-control system, instead of burying them in various submenus as in Chinese electric vehicles (EV).
What a drive
But where the Macan 4 Electric is truly above and beyond whatever China has to offer is the driving experience.
Models like the BYD Tang crossover may be stupendously fast and technologically advanced, but its numb steering and cushy suspension don’t inspire confidence in spirited driving. The Porsche is simply on another level – you get near-telepathic steering with perfect feel and air suspension that almost eliminates pitch in Sport Plus mode.
And then there are the brakes that are immensely powerful, yet so easy to modulate thanks to a beautifully weighted pedal (even in leather dress shoes). Porsche has wisely entrusted total control of braking action and, conversely, load transfer to the driver.
It also helps that the Macan 4 Electric has supportive seats and a near-sports car driving position that lets you feel one with this two-ton EV. That connection matters when you have an exhilarating 408 horsepower and 650 Newton-meters of torque blasting through all four wheels for a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds.
I just wish that this high-end EV had full adaptive driver assistance systems as standard as things like adaptive cruise control would make long journeys more pleasant and safer. On the whole, the Macan 4 Electric isn’t just one of the best-driving EVs in the Philippines – it’s one of the best-driving cars in the whole country, as of press time.
And it’s surprisingly energy-efficient for such a powerful EV. I got 5.5 to 6.2 kilometers per kilowatt-hour in the city or expressway, allowing for a maximum range of 590 kilometers from its 100-kWh battery pack.
Indulge without the guilt
Everything about the Porsche Macan 4 Electric points to being a traditionally indulgent car – splendid styling, plush cabin and sensational performance from a brand that is associated with the peak of aspiration.
But we mustn’t forget that this latest Macan incorporates all of these things while being an EV. That means zero tailpipe emissions, substantially lower running costs and considerably less dependence on fossil fuels.
In effect, Porsche is telling the world that you can have the pace, feel and environmental credentials of the Taycan EV in a crossover that you could drive everyday on the road or take on the weekend to a race track or light trail. It’s like a rich chocolate cake that doesn’t make you fat.
Then again, Porsche did say there are no substitutes for its cars.
