Compare the2024 Porsche Macan ElectricVS 2024 Volkswagen ID.4

The Porsche Macan Electric has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The ID.4 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan Electric. But it costs extra on the ID.4.

Both the Macan Electric and the ID.4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Macan Electric’s corrosion warranty is 5 years and unlimited miles longer than the ID.4’s (12/unlimited vs. 7/100,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 19 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Macan Electric has more powerful engines than the ID.4:

The Macan Electric’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The ID.4 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan Electric Turbo’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ID.4:

The Porsche Macan Electric has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the ID.4. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

For better traction, the Macan Electric’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ID.4 (F:255/45R21 & R:295/40R21 vs. F:235/50R20 & R:255/45R20).

The Macan Electric’s standard 285/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ID.4 Standard’s standard 55 series tires. The Macan Electric’s optional 255/40R22 front and 295/35R22 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the ID.4 Pro S Plus’ 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan Electric has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the ID.4 Standard. The Macan Electric’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the ID.4 Pro S Plus.

The Macan Electric has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ID.4’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Macan Electric uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the ID.4, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Macan Electric has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The ID.4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Macan Electric has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan Electric’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The ID.4 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan Electric’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the ID.4 (113.9 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Macan Electric has a greater minimum ground clearance than the ID.4 (7.2 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Macan Electric to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the Porsche Macan Electric amounts to more than styling. The Macan Electric has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .25 Cd. That is lower than the ID.4 (.28) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Macan Electric get better fuel mileage.

The Macan Electric’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the ID.4’s (4409 vs. 2200 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 46% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the ID.4 S/S Plus, the Macan Electric offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan Electric’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. KESSY Keyless Access standard on the ID.4 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Macan Electric to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The ID.4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Macan Electric’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The ID.4 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Macan Electric has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the ID.4 S/Plus.

The Macan Electric offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The ID.4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Macan Electric’s optional Self Steering ParkAssist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The ID.4’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.