TopherDrives video review of the Macan 4S

[craz8]

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[ron_b]

My $0.02

1. The setting for Sport Sound can be easily updated and saved in the driving mode, like you can make (correction made 1/2/26) drive modes other than Normal mode have the sound on or you can make Sport Plus not have the sound on. That is of course only if you optioned Sport Sound.
2. As for the rattles, I agree that should not have been in the car to begin with; however, it would be a quick trip to the Porsche dealership to get that addressed.
3. As for backseat space, the electric Macan is actually an inch more legroom because the wheelbase is over an inch longer.

As for his point that it’s not as exciting as a Taycan Turbo GT or a 911. Well ya, it’s hard to argue with that.

Driving dynamics with a reasonable amount of technology is what attracts me. My car to complete build in 11 days (not that I’m counting)

 

[Wivenhoe]

As for his point that it’s not as exciting as a Taycan Turbo GT or a 911. Well ya, it’s hard to argue with that.

Agreed - it’s probably not as comfortable or roomy as a Rolls Royce either !

 

[Greybeard72]

I agree with Ron_b's assessment. It's not my first Porsche but it is my first EV. The overall pricing is the only thing you can quibble with and that's what most reviewers can't seem to get over in reviews. My Macan S was very expensive at the time I bought it (2017) configured the way I wanted it and my 911 4S Cabriolet was even more expensive a decade before that. However, you don't buy a Porsche because you think it's cheaper than (even) other luxury cars.. you buy it because it's a driver's car and that's why I've owned them since I could afford to. You also don't buy them because they have the most advanced ADAS systems. As a matter of fact, the only time I use the system is when I'm on a long monotonous highway drive. The irony is that the most expensive racing Porsche's are the ones with the minimal interiors to save weight and balance.
Yes, I'm not happy about the silly oversight with the passenger seat belt. I'm not thrilled that they haven't gotten the memo on software defined cars but it's such a beast on the road and a pleasure to drive. Not to mention, a lot more practical then my 911. That's why I waited to buy an EV from them. So far, I don't regret it.

 

[craz8]

One thing that was mentioned, for the first time in a review, was how easy it is to get the car to a stop smoothly - limo-like, apparently.

This is not my experience at all, as the last few mph use the physical brakes and it can be quite hard to be smooth right there. It's in my list of notes for my next required dealer visit to see if this can be improved.

Is this something that can be adjusted, or do I just need more practice?

 

[Bauer83]

My $0.02

1. The setting for Sport Sound can be easily updated and saved in the driving mode, like you can make Normal mode have the sound on or you can make Sport Plus not have the sound on. That is of course only if you optioned Sport Sound.
2. As for the rattles, I agree that should not have been in the car to begin with; however, it would be a quick trip to the Porsche dealership to get that addressed.
3. As for backseat space, the electric Macan is actually an inch more legroom because the wheelbase is over an inch longer.

As for his point that it’s not as exciting as a Taycan Turbo GT or a 911. Well ya, it’s hard to argue with that.

Driving dynamics with a reasonable amount of technology is what attracts me. My car to complete build in 11 days (not that I’m counting)

I don’t believe you are able to save changes to normal mode. At least I have been unable to, so having electric sound on is not an option if you start in normal mode.

 

[ron_b]

I don’t believe you are able to save changes to normal mode. At least I have been unable to, so having electric sound on is not an option if you start in normal mode.

Thank you for pointing this out. You are correct that normal mode cannot be altered. Only other modes. I really need to get my own car
Excerpt from the manual:

Configuring drive mode

​

The OFFROAD, RANGE, SPORT and SPORT PLUS driving modes can be permanently saved with individual and equipment-dependent settings, e.g., for Electric Sport Sound, via the central display. An individualised drive mode can be restored to factory settings.​

1. 

   VehicleDriveDrive mode​

1. ​

 

[craz8]

Don’t know what manual that is from, but the Macan has no ‘range’ mode.

My online manual reads:

The OFFROAD, SPORT, and SPORT PLUS driving modes can be saved permanently via the Center Display with individual and equipment-dependent settings, such as for Electric Sport Sound. An individualized driving mode can be reset to the factory state.

 

[krissrock]

One thing that was mentioned, for the first time in a review, was how easy it is to get the car to a stop smoothly - limo-like, apparently.

This is not my experience at all, as the last few mph use the physical brakes and it can be quite hard to be smooth right there. It's in my list of notes for my next required dealer visit to see if this can be improved.

Is this something that can be adjusted, or do I just need more practice?

I felt like this when i first got my car. It's wasn't as smooth as it is now. So if you just picked yours up, just give it some time. Brakes could still be bedding in for when they are in use

 

[craz8]

I’ve driven it for almost a year.

Have not had this problem with a Macan S, base Macan, nor a Polestar 2, all cars I’ve driven for a few days in 2025

I can come to a stop smoothly, but I have to pay attention specifically to pull off the pedal as the car gets to the physical braking part of the process.

This reviewer suggests a different experience, hence my question

 

[ron_b]

Don’t know what manual that is from, but the Macan has no ‘range’ mode.

My online manual reads:

https://manual.porsche.com/#/wpi/XA..._GB/topic/id/437017b8432868d18d24c0b352dd093b

Sorry, I just did a copy paste, but it is in the online manual. I know there is no range mode, I had borrowed the car for several weeks from the dealership.
Am I expected to correct errors in the manual @tmrqs

 

[craz8]

Yours seems to be a newer version, and British English. Even Porsche can't get this right, as that version only mentions Range mode in that one section, and Normal elsewhere on the page.

That newer version mentions the GTS having configurable sound modes too, so is more recent than mine (which is what comes up in the app for my car, a 2025 model).

https://manual.porsche.com/#/wpi/XA..._US/topic/id/82c34431c6e4edfe8d24c0b37c653f57

 

[ron_b]

@craz8 I had gotten my manual link by pasting a 2026 Macan 4 VIN that I found on a Porsche dealership website of an incoming car. My own car does not have a VIN assigned yet but that should be resolved by January 12 which is the build complete date target.

 

[Paris92]

One thing that was mentioned, for the first time in a review, was how easy it is to get the car to a stop smoothly - limo-like, apparently.

This is not my experience at all, as the last few mph use the physical brakes and it can be quite hard to be smooth right there. It's in my list of notes for my next required dealer visit to see if this can be improved.

Is this something that can be adjusted, or do I just need more practice?

My 4 acceleration and braking are noticeably smoother since the software update was performed. Very noticeably so.

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