Intro
Hi guys, and welcome back to Petrolhead Podcasts. The Porsche Macan EV is the first all-electric SUV model from Porsche and promises to combine a high-tech experience with the great driving dynamics that Porsche is known for. But does the Macan EV deliver, and is it the best all-electric compact luxury SUV money can buy? Join me as I go through an in-depth comparison to give you the answer. Today, we will be comparing the 2025 Macan 4S Electric, which has a starting MSRP of $86,895, against two other excellent premium electric compact SUVs available in the North American market. Firstly, we have the Polestar 4 Long Range Dual-Motor Performance, a radically styled and innovative SUV from the Swedish luxury EV maker, with a starting MSRP of $74,300, and secondly, we have the Audi SQ6 e-tron Prestige Quattro, Audi’s latest electric SUV that shares the same platform as the Macan and starts at $80,595.
Exterior Styling
Firstly, in terms of exterior styling, the Macan EV looks decent. Up front the classic Porsche tapering hood and four-dot daytime running lights look good and the large air intakes also look aggressive. On the side the proportions of the Macan are not the best in my opinion, with a glasshouse that feels too small and a d-pillar that is very large. The smooth surfacing does look good, however. Round back the signature Porsche full-width taillights look good but otherwise the rear end looks a bit empty without many design features. The Polestar 4 has a stunning design. Up front the Polestar looks great, with an eye-catching two piece headlight design and a sporty lower grille section. On the side the low and sporty proportions of the Polestar are good looking, with the fastback-style design, smooth surfacing and flush door handles being highlights. Round back the Polestar looks futuristic with its fullwidth taillights, the lack of a traditional rear window and effective use of black plastic to make the vehicle appear less bulky. The Audi’s design feels more generic. Up front the Audi’s design is far busier than the Porsche and Polestar, with the signature Audi grill supplemented by complex-looking side vents, a lower grill section and split headlights. On the side the upright and more traditional SUV profile compared to the Porsche and Polestar looks good, but it feels bulkier as Audi doesn’t use black plastic to visually make the vehicle appear sleeker. Round back the Audi also has full-width taillights that look great, in addition to a good looking rear bumper design. Overall for designs the Polestar is the winner for me, with the most futuristic and sporty look. In second is the Porsche, which has a decent design but the side profile is not the best. In last is the Audi, which has a busier, bulkier and more generic feeling design compared to the other two cars.
2025 Porsche Macan EV
2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron
2025 Polestar 4
Interiors
Moving on to the interiors and the Porsche Macan has a good cabin. The general design is very similar to the updated Porsche Cayenne and although looks decent, I think is a little plain, especially for the price. The Macan has a curved instrument cluster and a 10.9 inch infotainment screen, which feels small next to the screens in the Polestar and Audi. Material and build quality are very good, although there isn’t a huge difference to the Polestar and Audi, as the Porsche still has some hard plastics in lower parts of the interior. Nice touches in the Porsche cabin include the drive mode selector mounted on the steering wheel as well as the available sport chrono clock that have been preserved from Porsche’s sportscar models. In terms of standard features, the Macan has heated seats, heated steering wheel, 360 degree cameras, a panoramic roof, dual-zone climate control, a 10 speaker audio system, and a power tailgate. However, a head-up display, a Bose Audio system, ventilated and massaging seats, heated rear seats, memory seats, 4 zone climate control, a passenger display and even a power-adjustable steering column are all options despite the highest starting MSRP of the three vehicles. In terms of practicality, the Macan has a maximum cargo capacity of 47.6 cubic feet behind the front seats and a frunk is included as well. The Polestar 4 has an excellent cabin with a forward thinking and minimalist looking design. The Polestar has a large, 15.4 inch central touchscreen, supplemented by a 10.2 inch gauge cluster. Material quality and build quality are both very good even if ultimately it doesn’t quite feel as solidly put together inside as the Porsche and Audi. Nice touches in the cabin include the star-knit illuminated décor trim, power reclining rear seats, and the crystal finish volume knob. In terms of standard features, the Polestar is excellent, featuring 360 degree cameras, Harman Kardon premium audio, 3-zone climate control, a head-up display, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, a panoramic roof, a power-adjustable steering column, and a power tailgate. Ventilated and massaging seats are optional. In terms of practicality, the Polestar has a maximum cargo capacity of 54.2 cubic feet behind the front seats and a frunk is included with the Polestar as well. The Audi has a modern interior design that looks very good. The latest Audi infotainment with a 14.5 inch infotainment display and 11.9 inch gauge cluster is a notable step up from the previous generation Audi system, although sadly the screens have huge bezels and the fixed shortcut buttons on the left of the screen greatly reduce the usable display area. In terms of material and build quality the Audi is very good and close to the Porsche. Nice touches in the Audi’s interior include the expansive ambient lighting and the standard sports seats with S logo. In terms of standard features the Audi is also fantastic, featuring a panoramic roof, 360 degree cameras, head-up display, passenger display, a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, heated front and rear seats, massaging seats, heated steering wheel, power-adjustable steering column, three-zone climate control, and a power tailgate. Ventilated seats are optional. In terms of practicality the Audi has a maximum of 60 cubic feet of storage space behind the front seats and a frunk is included with the SQ6. Overall for interiors the best for me is the Audi, with excellent build quality, a modern design, generous levels of standard equipment and the largest cargo volume of the three cars. In second is the Polestar, which has the most impressive design and excellent levels of standard equipment, however, build quality is not quite as good as the other two cars. In last is the Porsche. The Macan has a well-built cabin, but the infotainment display feels small, standard equipment is lacking, and the vehicle’s practicality is the worst of the three.
The Audi has a spacious and modern interior
The Polestar has a futuristic and minimalist interior
The Porsche has great cabin materials but practicality is lacking
Drivetrains
In terms of drivetrains, the Macan 4S Electric has a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup paired with a 100 kilowatt hour battery that produces a maximum output of 509 horsepower and 604 pound feet of torque. The Macan comes standard with height adjustable air suspension with adaptive damping and is optionally available with rear-wheel steering and a torque vectoring rear differential. The Macan 4S accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.9 seconds and achieves an EPA estimated range of 288 miles. The Macan uses the 800 volt architecture and has a peak charging rate of 270 kilowatts. Porsche claims that charging the Macan from 10 to 80% takes 21 minutes. The Polestar 4 has a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup paired with a 100 kilowatt hour battery that produces a maximum output of 544 horsepower and 506 pound feet of torque. The Polestar comes standard with steel suspension with adaptive damping. The Polestar accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.7 seconds and achieves an EPA estimated range of 270 miles. The Polestar uses the 400 volt architecture and charging from 10 to 80% takes 30 minutes. The Audi SQ6 e-Tron has a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup paired with a 100 kilowatt hour battery producing a maximum output of 509 horsepower and Audi does not quote a combined torque output but the front motor produces 203 pound feet and the rear motor produces 428 pound feet. The SQ6 rides on height-adjustable air suspension with adaptive damping. The SQ6 accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.1 seconds and achieves an EPA-estimated range of 275 miles. Like the Macan, the Audi uses the 800-volt architecture with a peak charging rate of 270 kilowatts and charging from 10 to 80% also takes 21 minutes. In terms of drivetrains, the best of the three is the Porsche, which has support for 800 volt architecture, has the highest range, is very quick, and has air suspension. The Audi takes second, which has many of the same technologies as the Porsche but has slightly worse acceleration and range. In third is the Polestar, which is the most powerful and fastest accelerating but is not available with air suspension like the Porsche and Audi and has the lowest range of the three cars.
The Porsche’s drivetrain is the best of the three cars
The Audi has a very similar drivetrain setup as the Porsche
The Polestar has the lowest range of the three cars
Driving Experience
Moving on to the driving experience, and the Porsche is great to drive. The Macan EV feels like a internal combustion powered Porsche to drive, which is impressive. It has direct and well-weighted steering, very minimal body roll, linear throttle and brake calibration, and a rear-biased and sporty feel to the drivetrain. It all adds up to the sportiest and most most fun-feeling vehicle of the three and you cannot really notice the added weight compared to a regular gas-powered Macan. In terms of comfort the Macan is still very good thanks to its air suspension and great tuning by Porsche, and sound insulation is also excellent despite the sporty focus. The Polestar’s driving experience is less accomplished than the Porsche. It feels less sporty than both the Audi and Porsche and you notice the weight of the vehicle more. There is noticeable understeer and the vehicle lacks the agile and rear-biased feeling of the Porsche. The steering doesn’t feel as good as the Porsche either. Body control is very good though, and the Polestar is a very good highway cruiser as it has a great ride quality and good noise insulation. The Audi shares the same basic platform as the Porsche but feels more comfort-oriented. The Audi’s ride quality is excellent and it is also super well insulated and has very smooth power delivery. In terms of handling, it feels in between the Porsche and Polestar. The Audi feels less playful and engaging than the Porsche, but its body control is excellent, it has very little body roll, quick and accurate steering, and good brake pedal feel. Objectively it is very good, but it doesn’t feel as spirited as the Porsche does. Overall for driving experience the Porsche is the best vehicle here, offering an engaging a sporty experience while still delivering very good comfort levels. In second is the Audi, which is also very talented and supremely comfortable but feels less involving than the Porsche. In last is the Polestar, which is also comfortable and has good body control but has the least well-sorted driving dynamics.
The Porsche is a blast to drive
The Audi is more comfort-oriented than the Porsche
The Polestar cannot quite match its German rivals’ blend of comfort and sportiness
Conclusion
So overall, which is the best all-electric premium compact SUV of the three? Personally, the Audi is the winner. The Q6 feels generic to look at but has a well-built and modern-feeling cabin with great standard specification and practicality, an advanced drivetrain, and a well-balanced driving experience. In second is the Porsche, which is the most engaging to drive and has an amazing drivetrain with the best range of the three cars. However, the Porsche is significantly more expensive than the Audi when comparatively equipped, the interior doesn’t feel the most special, and it has considerably less cargo volume, which makes it not as easy to recommend as an overall package as the Q6. In last is the Polestar, which looks the best of the three, has an impressive interior, and is the cheapest of the three cars. However, the driving dynamics lack the level of sophistication of the Audi and Porsche, and the drivetrain is the least impressive.