Porsche Is Killing The Gas Macan This Summer, Americans Still Want It More Than The EV
Posted by FoMoCoNutjob@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 122 comments
hbic@reddit
“Porsche is getting ready to pull the plug on the gas-powered Macan, even though plenty of buyers still want one. That’s awkward, because its combustion replacement isn’t expected until 2028 at the earliest, leaving Porsche with a very uncomfortable gap in one of its most important model lines”
So they’re just killing this first-generation car while we wait for the second-gen. No need to really freak out.
Sidenote the gas Macan is sooooo good
cookingboy@reddit
Unpopular opinion. The Macan is one of the most overrated cars on this sub. Anything below a GTS trim is extremely underwhelming even when compared to an X3. Mediocre engine despite good numbers, meek exhaust sound, extremely light and numb steering, terribly cheap interior and worse tech than a Honda CRV. All for the most expensive price in the segment.
The EV Macan drives better in every way. It accelerates better, brakes better and handles better, and even the interior is slightly more updated despite the typical cheap material of Porsche.
zonda600@reddit
The X3 has horrific steering, throttle and brake calibration. I drive my mom’s regularly and those inputs are hot garbage and where the Macan excels. PDK is also better than the ZF, though the B58 is indeed the better engine.
BahnMe@reddit
So funny to me anyone praises X3 steering, it's like the worst part of the car besides the face styling lol.
Avedas@reddit
I'm surprised to hear anyone praising BMW steering at all lol. Even BMW fans don't praise it.
argothewise@reddit
There is more to steering than just road feedback
ferdiazgonzalez@reddit
Both are ultimately SUVs. No one buys an SUV to experience the absolute driving experience.
DudebuD16@reddit
Had one as a rental when my Mach e was in for damage repair.
I hated the X3. It's everything you mentioned plus an absolutely rough ride and a terrible engine sound (I had the PHEV). I don't know why it gets praised so much, I couldn't wait to get my Mach e back.
strongmanass@reddit
Interesting you say that. I've driven both the Mach-E and X3 and I didn't the Mach-E at all. Everything about it felt vague and cumbersome. Accelerator response was delayed and languid for an EV, handling felt lumbering, and it was very slow to change direction. The X3 also felt lumbering, but it communicated that better and it had a more rear-biased and predictable dynamic character IME.
DudebuD16@reddit
Which drive mode were you in?
strongmanass@reddit
Good question and I don't remember tbh. It was probably Comfort or whatever the default mode is called.
DudebuD16@reddit
There's whisper, engage and unbridled.
Unbridled being the support setting, the gauge cluster and infotainment UI goes orange and when you accelerate it plays an engine sound.
The other two modes are green and blue iirc. If it doesn't feel sporty you were in one of whisper or engage so it's not a fair comparison. In unbridled the throttle is quick, the steering is heavy and tighter and the one pedal braking is the hardest.
To me, the X3 in sport mode just made it more uncomfortable lol. My kids liked the additional room though.
lancerevo98@reddit
Horrific is a pretty wild exaggeration unless the mid gen refresh or new gen changed a lot because my 2021 feels great on all 3 fronts, it handles better than the 330 I upgraded from
Atechwithnoname@reddit
I own both a Macan S and the X3 M40i. The X3 far superior and more fun to drive. Turbo lag is terrible and acceleration is blah on the Macan.... Zero excitement. Everytime I accelerate the X3 I smile.
The Macan does handle better, but I'm not taking the it to track days. For that, I use the Miata, which handles better than both and is also blast.
All these replies bashing you are likely from people who don't live with both. P.s. my wife drives the Macan most of the time because she doesn't like the fact that X3 is more powerful and goes fast.
OHWHATDA@reddit
The 2026 Base Macan loaner I had felt rickety and had at least three whole seconds of turbo lag before it would start moving. My wife’s Honda CRV drives so much better. And my Macan Electric 4S is night and day difference, feels so solid and composed and acceleration is instant, I absolutely love it so far.
BahnMe@reddit
The chassis and cabin when optioned up are pretty good, far far better than an X3. The steering is light but so is the hydraulic steering on an E46 M3, doesn't mean it's bad. Stupidly stiff steering for no reason is also stupid.
I've had two Macan S's and there are some points where I agree with you but IMO, there is no crossover that handles like a Macan much less an X3. I've had many X3 crossovers as rentals and service loaners, it's pretty good but I'd rather have a CX50 Turbo than an X3.
For whatever reason, they made the throttle mapping on the Macan S very linear which is a bit of a race car thing to do where people are used to using the last 50% of the throttle. It makes the feel a bit less exciting but offers more control if you're a very good driver who knows how to work a throttle fully.
Clover-kun@reddit
An optioned Macan costs more than an X5
007meow@reddit
The backseat is just so tight for what it is
fatitalianstallion@reddit
Unpopular opinion: anything without a 8 or more cylinders is underwhelming from factory regardless of performance, that includes the Supra (4/5), M3, GTR, etc. Certain vibrations, feels, and auditory experiences have significant value to consumers.
Mercedes and Stellantis are good examples of this. Ended a v8 option on a platform and lost significant amounts of customers. Ford saw this with the f150 Raptor. It prints money for itself and dealers with the R while the significantly cheaper 6 cylinder is now discounted.
Imyourhuckl3berry@reddit
I’d agree and can’t see why anyone would pay the premium over an SQ5 - optioned out the Macan is pretty crazy price wise and it’s showing its age
klowny@reddit
Every time I'm in a Macan, I'm constantly thinking "this is just an Audi". The chassis doesn't dance like a Porsche, and it's basically the same engine and steering feel.
vulkanspecter@reddit
Macan is very very overrated. Same chassis as 2009 Q5. In the same time, the Q5 has been updated 3 times! 3! With completely new everything. The reason Audi can't make an RSQ5 is because of the damn macan! The bimma x3 b58 is better than the macan in every metric, from tech to handling.
autobauss@reddit
They're making rsq5
vulkanspecter@reddit
Primarily because porsche had decided not to make an ICE macan, so Audi could finally make an RSQ5, since there was no porsche product to compete with
Imyourhuckl3berry@reddit
And glad they did as maybe the RSQ5 will be well equipped for a decent price vs the crazy option add ons of Porsche
autobauss@reddit
Lol. So why were they allowed to make rsq8 and s8?
vulkanspecter@reddit
RSQ8 was a mistake. They never meant to make it so good. Audi engineers were really sneaky about it. Same reason RSQ7 doesn't exist, and the gas 4.0tt was only offered 6years into the 4M generation as the SQ7
The S8 doesn't compete anywhere with Porsche offering
autobauss@reddit
😂😂
oidoglr@reddit
Just in time for the gas Macan to be discontinued so it doesn’t cannibalize sales.
garden_speech@reddit
Clearly not too unpopular lol. Given the upvotes.
I do think the "it drives like a sports car" stuff is wild hyperbole. But I"m pretty surprised a the X3 > Macan S preference. Why?
fryjigen@reddit
Agreed. No doubt some Porsches have good quality interiors. But whenever people say Porsches have great interiors my mind immediately thinks about the ICE Macan and I’m like Nah
garden_speech@reddit
I guess different strokes for different folks but I find the Macan interior way better than any other competitor. BMW interiors are gross as hell now, just a giant screen tacked on the dashboard
LordDarthShader@reddit
The steering on any current BMW is just awful, light, no feedback, etc.
I actually liked the Macan (loaner), this post feels to personal against the Macan.
NetworkStatic@reddit
Macan is overrated. I had one that I picked up when we were moving a lot of stuff regularly. As soon as it wasnt serving the purpose of extra cargo use every day I got rid of it. I dont think its a bad vehicle at all, but a semi sporty SUV is still not interesting.
cubs223425@reddit
IDK man, that's basically led to a death sentence to Dodge, based on how the Charger transition went. Let's hope Porsche at least sticks the landing on a new Macan.
Multifaceted-Simp@reddit
Any base Porsche is a scam
Imyourhuckl3berry@reddit
Base Cayman or Boxster aren’t terrible
LeifEriksonASDF@reddit
Base 911 too. I don't mean the absolute lowest poverty spec interior or anything, but the RWD Carrera (Carrera 2?)
1ncehost@reddit
Love my Macan S
Mikelius@reddit
I adore my Macan S, but the base 4 cylinder model felt very anemic when I took it for a test drive.
zarif2003@reddit
I never thought macan buyers cared about anything beyond the badge and interior quality.
They should’ve done a hybrid.
SwissMargiela@reddit
I’ve noticed a lot of car enthusiasts daily Macans
chen-z727@reddit
Because there is no other choice in that price range lol
Macan is basically like a hatchback. On the entry level there’s GTI, then Golf R, then nothing else besides Macan. With the RS6 sitting at the top end.
The SQ5 is also popular for enthusiasts who need slightly more space though (and maybe more ground clearance) than the Macan.
If we had the various Audi RS hatchbacks/wagon here I doubt the Macan would be as successful.
Srtviper@reddit
Plenty of enthusiasts also daily EVs
OtterCreek_Andrew@reddit
Can confirm I’m looking for a new daily because I’m tired of driving my big ass 2500 lifted truck around and a macan is in my top picks
e39hamann@reddit
My wife is one of them, Macan S as a daily and S2000 as her fun car. She has no interest in a EV or hybrid version at this point.
strongmanass@reddit
That's not where Porsche excels in any segment.
W0666007@reddit
Oh you can get a nice interior... for a lot of money.
strongmanass@reddit
You can nicer looking materials. But the whole build just feels flimsy. Porsche's whole identity is incongruous with what buyers typically associate with luxury - a large part of which has to do with weight. Heavy doors, panels, switchgear are touchpoints that generally feel more expensive. But Porsche deliberately making their cars heavier doesn't make sense for their brand identity. So things just feel cheap IMO.
Ancient_Persimmon@reddit
They're a lot less objectionable than what the other Germans have been up to.
strongmanass@reddit
Not for the money IMO. I haven't been impressed with any Porsche I've sat in.
zarif2003@reddit
I think the design language is the best out of all the other german brands right now. Build quality is typical german,
klowny@reddit
They probably want the hybrid buyers to buy Cayennes instead.
sprockets22@reddit
Every time I comment about the general market preference gas over electric someone always tells me I’m wrong
Electric isn’t going to be a thing anytime soon in the USA, and not in our lifetimes for personally owned vehicles.
Srtviper@reddit
"not in our lifetimes" damn you must be hella old
sprockets22@reddit
That’s the thing, I’m not. That’s how I came to my conclusion.
PRSArchon@reddit
You are probanly to young to understand how fast the population moves on then. People thought the same about a lot of other technologies and the rate of acceptance for new technologies is increasing as well.
sprockets22@reddit
No one is buying them
You own a Porsche, they actually came out to say they don’t buy their electric hybrid trash
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Calm_Mobile_5881@reddit
Had a 2020 S. Really liked it. Then a drove a Tesla…bye bye Porsche
mr_bots@reddit
They jumped EV too soon and will have a major two year gap for their highest selling model until a new gas model is out. Wonder who will pick up the market share? Same thing Acura is doing with the RDX.
adrr@reddit
Porsche makes crappy EVs. Slow, no range, no tech, 50% more expensive than other brands. Digital key not standard on an EV shows they aren't serious about EVs.
hbic@reddit
It really does seem to be a missed opportunity. Nothing else really like it on the market
Maybe X3 M picks up some of the slack? The GV70 is a decent dupe but I can’t imagine Porsche buyers switching up that much
thecanadiandriver101@reddit
X3 M doesn’t exist anymore
Imyourhuckl3berry@reddit
I can only figure they didn’t sell a ton of them but it was one of the only small performance SUVs you could get in the states
thecanadiandriver101@reddit
I'm looking at either an X3 M or X3 M40i has a daily in a few years when the Type R becomes a weekend car. Apparently the X3 M on winter tires is hilariously fun.
narwhal_breeder@reddit
BMW tends to think people don't realize an SUV is an M car without cranking the spring rates up to GT3RS stiffness. Porsche has at least figured out performance SUVs dont need to ride like shit for them to be dynamic.
strongmanass@reddit
BMW and Mercedes. Most people looking for a Macan don't care about the dynamism. They want a premium German SUV. If they can't buy a Macan (which isn't the segment leader in the first place) they'll go to the next best options.
The Range Rover Velar could also take some potential Macan buyers who specifically don't want a Mercedes or BMW.
Life_Yesterday_7008@reddit
The ICE Macan cannot be sold new in any major market outside the Americas and China since 2024, because this old design isn't compliant with the UN ECE R 155 cyber security regulations. It seems to cumbersome for Porsche to keep the production running for (effectively) the North American market only.
MrDabb@reddit
1 in 4 Porsches sold are sold in the US. Seems like a bad business move.
Life_Yesterday_7008@reddit
The ICE Macan is a 17 years old Design, keeping its production line open and run far below capacity is an unjustifiably expensive burden for Porsche and its suppliers. It definitely makes sense to shut it down, BEFORE the demand dries out further. That decision has been made before the political changes in the US and the manufacturing capacities had already been assigned to other models.
ducky21@reddit
The obvious corollary is 3 out of every 4 Porsches are sold in Not America.
Seems like smart business to cut out a niche, minority market.
cubs223425@reddit
Calling 25% of your customer base a niche is suicide. No brand would say "we're fine losing 25% of our revenue," especially when it's a market with some of the highest average purchase prices on new cars in the world.
This also doesn't just cut off the US either. It's the US market AND everyone around the world interested in the ICE model.
ducky21@reddit
The comment the person I replied to stated:
So, no, you don't get it both ways: it's either "America is only 25% and is a small minority and doesn't matter" or "America is most of the sales and does matter" but just based on the facts in this thread (lord knows I ain't looking shit up) we are forced to side with the first thesis: a 25% share doesn't matter.
SojusCalling@reddit
The EV Macam is so good, that it makes the ICE Macan pointless.
oralabora@reddit
People hate EVs
SojusCalling@reddit
Well, people are idiots then. For a commuter, there's nothing better than an EV. Everyone who argues otherwise is just denying facts.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
People love EV, but charging infrastructure is still main issue for most people going EV.
avoidhugeships@reddit
The EV starts at 15 grand more and is less practical for most use cases.
CashKeyboard@reddit
Truly the key performance metrics of every Porsche
Rillist@reddit
Its an SUV, practicality and usability are priorities, otherwise those porsche buyers would just get a 911
MisterDoctor___@reddit
If practicality and usability were priorities, it’d be a minivan.
The Macan is a just lifted hatchback.
hi_im_bored13@reddit
Almost like people want a compromise, the crossover
MisterDoctor___@reddit
No shit. That’s not what the argument is about. It’s about the practicality of EV vs ICE.
hi_im_bored13@reddit
I mean yeah but that was totally implied
Rillist@reddit
And why are hot hatches so popular?
MisterDoctor___@reddit
Because they’re fun while still having some practicality. But practicality isn’t the priority of hot hatches.
MrKuub@reddit
Its cheaper to run the EV, considering how thirsty the Macan is. You’ll make up that 15k in no time.
Not that the buyers of Macan’s care, however.
Calibrumm@reddit
an EV is completely impractical for me even if it was cheaper than an ICE vehicle. I have no reliable way to charge and too much shit to do to spend 20 minutes multiple times a day to charge because I can't at home or work.
your experience isn't the same as everyone else's.
lee1026@reddit
Ehh, people who buy new porsches are probably people who get an charger installed, one way or another.
zarif2003@reddit
Why not get a home charger?
Calibrumm@reddit
apartment complex with no chargers. not everyone has a garage or personal driveway with power access.
zarif2003@reddit
most people buying a brand new macan probably live in an upscale apartment with these functionalities or a house where it can be easily outfitted.
Calibrumm@reddit
generally yes, but you also need to consider the demographic of the brand. Porsche is supposed to be a driving enthusiast brand. EVs definitely sell but on certain models people are going to want ICE.
MrKuub@reddit
“20 minutes multiple times a day”
Didn’t know there’s people out there that drive 1000 miles a day, apart from truckers.
Calibrumm@reddit
not every EV can fast charge like the high end models and not every area has fast chargers available. there is literally not a single one on my route to work.
MrKuub@reddit
We were talking about that Macan, which arguably charger pretty quickly. But I can see why an EV is impractical considering the awful infrastructure where you’re at, which would make the (Macan) EV not suited for your needs.
Calibrumm@reddit
that's basically all I'm saying. my areas infrastructure isn't bad really, it's just not EV centric but it is a high income area that I work in. everyone charges at home. I just work in the area and live in an apartment so any EV is out of the question or I would personally love an Ioniq 5 N.
lee1026@reddit
Do Porsche buyers normally care about these things?
avoidhugeships@reddit
That depends on too many things to make such a blanket statement. It would depend on gas and electricity prices over the life of the vehicle, insurance costs and other factors.
MrKuub@reddit
Petrol isn’t getting cheaper anytime soon. That was the reason I added that “Macan owners don’t care”.
cilantno@reddit
EA888s aren’t thirsty
revvolutions@reddit
Its fugly to boot.
s3cf_@reddit
macan is getting a little long in the tooth.
been around for like over a decade?
avoidhugeships@reddit
They are going to be selling them into 2027 and the new model comes out in 2028. This is clickbait.
oneonus@reddit
Not after the tarrif announcement hours ago.
FoMoCoNutjob@reddit (OP)
cLicKBaIt
"How did you know I was inbred?" 😱
Bderken@reddit
Dude 🤣 chill
turb0_encapsulator@reddit
there's precedence for car manufacturers moving tooling to less developed countries in order to continue production of older models there. I wouldn't be surprised if that happens with ICE vehicle production moving to the US.
BlackfinJack@reddit
EV is fine. The inflated prices of them is not.
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costafilh0@reddit
Is this why they sold Bugatti? To burn more money on shitty EVs?
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
They sold Bugatti because they wanted to work with Rimac, it doesn’t relate their Macan sales.
Uniball38@reddit
Lots of things the majority of americans want turn out to be the wrong choice
alfredadamski@reddit
Isn't the Porsche Macan the official car of 30-50 something women for going to yoga and pilates classes?
CortaCircuit@reddit
Gas > EV
austic@reddit
Ya. No chance I want a EV version too bad as I was considering a Macan for the wife for her next suv
ptinnl@reddit
Germans are really trying to kill themselves huh?
dgdfthr@reddit
Yes we do
FoMoCoNutjob@reddit (OP)
cLicKBaIt
"How did you know I was inbred?" 😱