The Macan brings Porsche performance to buyers looking for a compact crossover. While the idea of a high-performance compact SUV might sound silly, get behind the wheel of the Macan and it suddenly makes more sense.
While it's related to the Audi Q5, the Macan is quicker on the road, more capable off of it, and adds more available options and tech to the platform.
Like it's big brother, the Cayenne, the Macan lets you bring the family, the dog, and cargo along with you but it still lets you have plenty of fun when the roads get twisty. Drive the Macan and it feels agile and happy, not something you expect in any crossover. It also packs power that will rocket it out of turns, especially if you pick the 400 hp Macan Turbo.
The super-performance compact crossover segment is expanding, with the Mercedes-AMG GLC-43, Audi SQ5, BMW X3 M40i, Jaguar F-Pace, and Alfa Romeo Stelvio all taking part. It may not offer as much style as the F-Pace or Stelvio, but the Macan is the choice here for drivers. More agile, with a better transmission, the Macan excels when the road gets twisty.
The Macan comes in base, S, and GTS models, plus the top trim Turbo. The base crossover gets a 2.0L turbo four that makes 252 hp and 273 lb-ft. The gearbox is a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch box and all-wheel drive is standard.
Like all Porsches, the options sheet is long and elaborate. 16 choices of interior fabric and colour are available on even the base model. There are three different seat choices, with eight-way adjustment standard, 14-way optional, and 18-way adjustable adaptive sport seats on the list. A premium pack adds bi-xenon headlights, Bose stereo, and heated rear seats. Premium plus adds vented front seats, panoramic roof, and keyless drive.
Then it gets busy. Adaptive power steering, active suspension, active air suspension, torque vectoring, sport chrono pack (includes launch control and performance display), sport exhaust, all optional. Inside, you can get lane change and lane keeping assist, radar cruise control, auto-dimming mirrors, and all of the premium pack features separately if you want some but not all of them. There are three picks for gauge colour on top of the base black. Extensive trim and wheel options are on the list.
The S packs a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 with 340 hp and 339 lb-ft. It uses the same automatic and all-wheel drive system. It has the same options list as the base model.
Up next is GTS which boosts the V6 to 360 hp and 369 lb-ft. Air suspension and Porsche's adaptive dampers are standard on the GTS, giving multiple ride heights and suspension stiffness. It also sends more power to the rear wheels by default. It gets the bigger brakes from the Turbo, with carbon-ceramic discs optional.
Step up to Turbo, and yes all of them are turbo but there is still a Turbo trim, and get a 3.6L V6 with 400 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Turbo gets a more muscular front fascia that houses bi-xenon headlights. 19-inch wheels are standard, housing the bigger brakes. The Turbo gets the leather pack and Bose stereo with navigation as standard. Steel spring suspension is standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management. Air suspension and torque vectoring are optional. Finally, the Turbo Performance Pack adds 40 hp, taking it to 440 hp and 443 lb-ft. It gets the Sport Chrono pack, a faster-shifting suspension, and a lowered suspension.
The Macan is rated at 11.6 L/100 km city, 9.3 highway. The S gets 13.7/10.3, the GTS is rated at 13.8/10.3, the Turbo is 14.2/10.1, and as a bit of a surprise, the Turbo Performance Pack beats it slightly at 14.1/10.1 L/100 km city/highway.
