Porsche has a surefire winner on its hands with the Macan. The small SUV is deeply rooted in the company's sporting heritage, as is evident with even a passing glance. The Macan's steel and aluminum body has near-perfect proportions and, as Porsche says, it "embodies sportiness, dynamism, and precision, together with an elegance and lightweight construction." Taking cues from the Cayenne, 911 and even the 918 Spyder, the Macan is unmistakably Porsche.
The Macan is available in Base, Macan S, GTS, and Turbo with all four featuring active all-wheel drive and the latest development of Porsche Traction Management. The rear axle is always powered, while the front receives its cues from the available traction. In particularly unstable driving situations, such as icy roads, fully 100 percent of the Macan's power can be shifted to the front wheels through a multi-plate clutch.
The Macan also benefits from an aluminum 5-arm wishbone suspension up front, with a self-tracking trapezoidal link suspension in the back. Paired with big 6-piston brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels and fat tires, the Macan is as sure-footed as they come.
Three engines are offered in the Macan. The base Macan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder making 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Porsche claims a sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The Macan S is powered by a turbocharged 3.0L V6, which produces 348 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque from just 1,360 rpm. That's enough to propel the Macan S to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 156 mph. The top of the line Turbo model gets a slightly smaller 2.9L V6 with two turbochargers. It makes 434 horsepower at 5700 rpm with Porsche claiming a 0-60 time of just 4.3 seconds.
All three engines are mated to Porsche's PDK dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission, which makes for extremely fast gear changes. Paddle shifters make changing gears a snap and a selectable Sport mode allows for more responsive engine and transmission management. This equates to faster shift times, a higher redline and a sweeter sound from the exhaust.
Standard amenities in the Macan include 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights with dynamic headlight leveling and cleaning, along with LED running lights and fog lights. Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with hard-drive navigation is also standard, as is a 14-speaker Bose audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, 3-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera and parking sensors and a power tailgate.
The Macan S builds on these features, and in addition to the larger engine, it includes dual exhausts, 19-inch wheels, and larger brakes.
The Macan Turbo commands a large premium over the S model, in large part thanks to all the performance features it gets. Standard on the Turbo model is Porsche's Active Suspension Management system which will continuously adjust the suspension on the fly to maximize handling, vastly changing the character of the vehicle. Other standard features include 20-inch wheels, even bigger brakes, an adjustable sport exhaust system, heated 18-way adjustable seats, brushed aluminum interior accents, an alcantara headliner and a 655-watt Bose sound system.
Macan interiors are as luxurious and ergonomically efficient in the only way Porsche knows to build. Leather abounds. The large tachometer sits front and center before the driver, with the ignition on the left--a Porsche hallmark. All models feature a 3-way rear bench that, when folded, allows for 50.3 cubic-feet of cargo space.
Some exceptional options and packages are offered for the Macan. Wheel choices go all the way to 21 inches in several designs. The Sport Chrono Package is a button-operated change in the way the Macan responds to driver input, thanks to an even more aggressive mapping of the engine, transmission, and chassis, along with "launch control" for the fastest starts possible. When equipped, 0-60 mph sprints in either model are reduced by 0.2 seconds. Air suspension is also available, a Macan-exclusive feature in this segment. It includes a leveling system, ride height adjustment, and PASM, the automakers' brand of active suspension dampeners. The Premium Package Plus includes front and rear park assist, with a reversing camera, ventilated front seats, auto-dimming mirrors, a 2-piece panoramic sunroof, lane keep assist and lane change assist, which helps check for any potential hazards around the vehicle when a driver begins a lane maneuver. Finally, European delivery from Porsche factories at either Leipzig or Zuffenhausen is a no-cost option.
Great Performance From The Entire Model Range
Excellent All-wheel Drive
Exceptional Craftsmanship
Standard Features
Loaded With Technology
The Porsche Macan carries over for 2021 with minimal changes, although Apple CarPlay is now standard across the lineup.
The Porsche Macan is poised to become the benchmark of the compact sport crossover segment. The BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Range Rover Sport can't touch it in looks or performance, and with Porsche's proven track record of perfectly blending all-wheel drive sure-footedness with blistering speed and crisp handling, the Macan should impress the luxury compact SUV shoppers its after.
