FIRST DRIVE: Porsche Macan Turbo - As Fast As A 911 GT3!

This is Porsche’s most important launch since the Mk1 Cayenne. Why? Because even as a decade-old model at the end of its life, Porsche shifted 87,355 units of its smaller SUV in 2023, just a few hundred shy of the Cayenne.

But now the second-gen Macan is going electric, and the buying public hasn’t wholly embraced EVs…

Perhaps more challenging still, while the last Macan was priced from £54k to £73k in the UK, the new one starts at £70k and runs up to exactly £95,000 for the range-topping Turbo model (which doesn’t have a turbocharger anywhere near it). Sure, you get more performance, but the last Macan was a (relatively) affordable entry point into practical Porsche ownership; the new one is only £600 cheaper than a Cayenne!

So it’s electric, and expensive.

Can the tech impress and the dynamics dazzle enough to tempt potential buyers? Top Gear Magazine’s Tom Ford has the answers…

WATCH MORE TOP GEAR:

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Walkaround
04:26 Interior
06:11 Driving
12:53 Conclusion
13:33 Porsche Boat

MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR:

This is a commercial channel from BBC Studios.

[TopGear]

Does the new Macan impress enough to tempt you away from petrol or diesel variants?

[crocglox]

Turbochargers started out rare, expensive, and definitely something to brag about with a big "Turbo" badge.
Recently, so many gas engine vehicles have turbos that manufacturers often don't bother to promote that aspect.
Now the badge "Turbo" doesn't even necessarily mean the car has one at all.
Time marches on.

[laupakhin]

The thing is, like the Taycan, that the top spec models will feel exactly like the base model unless you're flooring it. And it's so quick that you can only do that on a track. Except no one takes their SUV onto a track. So the base model is the one to get.

[battousaihimura]

8:22 not particularly clever chemistry? Lol! CATL would be upset. That's a very good state of the art NMC811-Graphite with Silicon doped, and constructed for great energy and power density, there is a reason you get 10 to 80% in 21 mins which is not entirely due to 800V arch (it helps but not as much as people think), but due to chemistry, cell electrical impedance, cooling at pack/Module level, etc. 800V helps more on the non cell system like less heat from the busbars, current collectors etc..

[pete]

I like the design, I just don’t know how many Porsche customers will want to switch to EV. I feel like this was a risky move with their highest selling car.

[florianhaffner]

I think its easily the most desirable electric SUV. It ticks all the boxes for me

[lancecahill]

It’s not just how fast can it go, how far can it go is also important, especially in cold climates.

[slickfrictionless]

You would think that Porsche would have learned by the lack of sales of the Taycan! I’ve been a Porsche owner for much of my life and the idea of driving an electric Porsche is….uninspiring to say the least! I’ve owned my 928 for 27 years and still get chills hearing that beautiful V8 engine!

[channelvr]

Reading comments for more then 1/2 hour...i can only conclude : it doesn't matter that its electric or gas, looks good or bad, range or no range.... does it handle like a real porsche? Yes it does ! Mission accomplished. ❤

[mohammadsattar]

What's faster between the 0-60 time and the depreciation it will have as soon as it's purchased ?

[MRVSKIN]

I don’t know why but the front 3/4 in yellow. Reminds me
Of the Renault 5 electric.

[BarryMakariou]

Here in uk an ok spec for the 4 is £85k ! Big uplift from last one. Want one might wait a bit

[JadRaouda]

Can we talk about the giant headlights below the headlights?

[Adam-M]

What’s with those lights in the bumper? Just seems out of place.

[jonfollows]

Driving those beautiful roads in the new bench mark EV daily and then out on the sunny open water in that boat. Tough job! 😂 really enjoying Tom in this new role. Well done matey ❤

[ndychung]

I would love to see Ioniq 5 N and Macon EV side by side review. I cannot afford neither, but both interesting performance EVs in somewhat similar category.

[ZAF_VIP]

Christ! When I saw the thumbnail I thought the image used was a joke - they can't be serious with that design!

The old Mecan was a classy and elegant looking car with good lines and a good road presence - this is like one of those generic SUV's you see driving around in a video game.

[jtherealtor]

Can't wait until these depreciate 50% in the first year or two. Maybe down 75% by year 4.

[LLy]

Leave it to Porsche to make electric cars genuinely intriguing. I like the sound the car makes. Gives it more personality than the silence electric cars are shipped with. And it looks pretty good too

[Lonor]

Is it comfortable? is it quiet to drive? is it refined for that price? Not every day is track day, so would be good to hear more about how it behaves in real life usage.