Hype around electric Porsche Macan builds

PORSCHE is confident the shift to all-electric power for its top-selling Macan model is a winning move, citing strong interest for what it believes is the best electric SUV on the market.

While pricing was announced earlier this year, as well as the release of key specifications, the model is now just weeks away from its dealership debut in December with a handful of models rolled out for local media testing (which we will be able to talk about on December 4.

Speaking with GoAuto at the drive event, key executives at Porsche outlined their optimism for the new Macan, while also dispelling concerns about the shift to EV-only power for its local leader.

“I think it will be a best-seller, because I think it’s the best car in this segment, it’s the sportiest car in the segment … and much better than the combustion car,” said Porsche vice president product line Macan Jorg Kerner.

“It’s so much better in every respect and therefore as soon as, let’s say, the more sceptical customer gets into this car and has the chance to drive it – we’re pretty sure that will convince them.”

While Porsche representatives did not provide specific order volumes, they did hint at stronger-than-expected interest in the new model with the higher trim grades favoured by early adopters.

“Order intake is currently ahead of our initial expectations for the new all-electric Macan at this point in time,” a Porsche spokesperson told GoAuto.

“Given it’s still a number of months before launch and no one has driven the car, the enquiry is up on both variants. Early on the early adopters often gravitate towards the higher models so we've seen strong interest in the Macan Turbo and 4S models in particular.”

While a great deal of Taycan buyers were existing Porsche owners, at least initially, the Macan aims to attract a more mainstream audience – competing with electric SUVs from other luxury brands.

“While our core enthusiast base will undoubtedly remain a significant portion of our customer demographic, we also expect to appeal to a broader audience interested in cutting-edge technology and the exhilarating driving experience synonymous with Porsche,” a Porsche spokesperson said.

“Existing owners have shown a keen interest in transitioning to the electric Macan, however so far we have also seen many new customers who may not have previously considered Porsche, particularly those intrigued by electric vehicles and seeking a premium, luxury SUV experience.”

It is worth noting, however, that Porsche doesn’t appear to be going after the mass market based on pricing, with the similarly quick Tesla Model Y Performance – close on paper to the Macan 4S – priced from a significantly lower $82,900, suggesting the Macan is more likely to compete with premium models like the Audi SQ8 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, BMW iX and Polestar 4.

There is, as it stands, no true midsize electric SUV competitor to the all-out Macan Turbo, which produces a dizzying 470kW/1130Nm, at least until Audi rolls out its next-generation models which will share the PPE underpinnings of the Macan.

Porsche does not appear concerned about Australia’s declining EV sales either, reiterating that the Macan is a premium model that offers a higher performance experience than other luxury options while also bringing a ground-up replacement for the decade-old, first-generation model – of which the brand sold 2925 last year accounting for around half of the brand’s local sales.

When asked which electric SUV the brand used as a benchmark for the Macan, given it was consistently cited as being the best in its class, director of product line Macan at Porsche, Thomas Rothfuss, explained that the aim was to achieve similar performance and range to the Taycan.

“Of course, in the SUV segment, no matter if it’s bad for ICE, there’s a huge field of competitors but we think, and what we see now, is that the Macan stands out – especially in terms of performance and also technology,” he said.

“Usually when we develop a new car, we focus on ourselves, always trying to be better than the predecessor and in this case we think we have improved it quite well. We wanted to be close to the Taycan which, I hope you agree, sets a real benchmark in the segment and that’s where we wanted to be with the Macan as well in terms of performance.”

This is very likely a positive, given the Taycan’s balanced dynamic and straight-line performance that gives it an edge over comparative EVs – in other words, it still feels like a Porsche. While we can’t yet share our driving impressions of the new Macan range, its Taycan DNA is evident in its appearance and performance specifications.

The entire Macan range is available for order now but will reach all Porsche Centres around the country on December 7.

2025 Porsche Macan pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.