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Overall Rating
At over $50,000, the Macan also feels fairly premium, while its 2019 redesign totally makes it look the part too. On paper then this Porsche appears to have what it takes to justify being Porsche’s entrant in the world of SUVs.
The year was 2019 and Porsche had had to redesign their Macan for the model year after severe criticism from people everywhere in general about the way it looked. Now in the year 2020, the Macan aspires to build on its image of being a sporty, aggressive, good looking and premium compact SUV from Porsche but can it?
The Macan offers decent practicality for the money it charges. This Porsche also brings along with itself a wide variety of optional features so you can further improve the Macan’s all-roundedness. Of those optional extras, the Sport Chrono package offers best customization.
S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM)
S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM)
4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM)
S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM)
4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
At over $50,000, the Macan also feels fairly premium, while its 2019 redesign totally makes it look the part too. On paper then this Porsche appears to have what it takes to justify being Porsche’s entrant in the world of SUVs.
The year was 2019 and Porsche had had to redesign their Macan for the model year after severe criticism from people everywhere in general about the way it looked. Now in the year 2020, the Macan aspires to build on its image of being a sporty, aggressive, good looking and premium compact SUV from Porsche but can it?
The Macan, which is Porsche’s most affordable SUV, is available in two different trims. Its base variant, or Macan, comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, while the other, Macan S, is powered by a turbocharged V6.
Regardless of choice of powertrain, both variants come equipped with an all-wheel drive unit and a 10.9-inch touchscreen as standard, while other features like leather-trim and more premium sound-system are optional.
Trim |
Macan |
Macan S |
---|---|---|
MSRP (AWD) |
$50,900 |
$59,400 |
Key Features | Connect Plus | Adds/Upgrades to macan |
|
10.9-inch touchscreen display |
Sport front seats |
|
Bose/Burmester surround-sound system |
LED headlights |
|
|
Porsche Connection Management |
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The Macan S offers decent practicality for the money it charges. It gets a 3.0-liter V6 as standard. This Porsche also brings along with itself a wide variety of optional features so you can further improve the Macan’s all-roundedness. Of those optional extras, the Sport Chrono package offers best customization.
The Porsche Macan is a rather placid SUV courtesy its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This four-pot is capable of throwing 248 hp and 273 lb.-ft. torque. A seven-speed PDK automatic transmission manipulates that power and torque from the engine to all the wheels of this compact SUV.
The other variant of the Macan, Macan S, is definitely the more punchier of the two. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 churns 348 hp and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. Consequently, this version of the Macan definitely feels a lot zippier as compared to the base Macan.
Models |
Porsche Macan |
BMW X3 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 |
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$50,900 |
$43,950 |
$44,500 |
$52,245 |
Engine |
2.0-liter turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0-liter TwinPower turbo Inline-4 |
2.0-liter turbo Inline-4 |
2.0-liter direct injection turbo Inline-4 |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
Transmission |
7-speed PDK |
8-speed sport automatic |
9G-TRONIC 9-speed |
8-speed automatic |
Power |
248hp@5,000rpm |
248hp@5,200rpm |
255hp@5,800rpm |
280hp@5,200rpm |
Torque |
273lb-ft@1,600rpm |
258lb-ft@1,450rpm |
273lb-ft@1,800rpm |
306lb-ft@2,000rpm |
All premium crossover SUVs of this segment get 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines under their hoods. However, at 280 hp and 306 lb.-ft. torque, no other SUV in this segment makes as much power as the Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon’s inline-four.
The Macan benefits greatly from belonging to Porsche’s stable. It carries over much of the driving dynamics that this manufacturer of sports cars is known for. The only noticeable downside can be its 2.0-liter turbo-four which is not as powerful as the rest of Macan SUVs.
That slack in performance is more than made up for by the Macan S. Its 348 hp 3.0-liter V6 makes a world of difference in terms of acceleration. At about 100hp over the base Macan, the Macan S definitely has what it takes to satisfy the enthusiast in you.
That turbocharged V6 makes enough power to comfortably push this Macan ahead with utmost ease. Also, the seven-speed PDK transmission is well informed of the 3.0-liter V6's capabilities. It responds with swift and precise shifts to constantly keep this Porsche in the bulk of the powerband.
Model |
Porsche Macan |
BMW X3 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 |
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
6.3 sec |
6.0 sec |
6.1 sec |
5.4 sec |
Quarter Mile |
14.9 sec |
14.8 sec |
14.8 sec |
14.0 sec |
Top Speed | 167 MPH | 155 MPH | 155 MPH | 176 MPH |
Engine |
2.0-liter turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0-liter TwinPower turbo Inline-4 |
2.0-liter turbo Inline-4 |
2.0-liter direct injection turbo Inline-4 |
The Porsche Macan is plenty fast thanks to peak torque down-low and constant power throughout. It suffers in picking up speed instantly as it is significantly heavy but does well to catch up to the likes of X3 and GLC300 in a quartermile. No other SUV, however, is as fast as the Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon. It’s turbo-four churns the most power. Consequently, making this Stelvio the fastest of the lot.
The Porsche Macan might suffer due to its heft while getting off the line but that doesn’t concern it when stopping on a dime. Its front brake rotors are fitted with four-piston fixed callipers while the ones at the back get floating calipers. They clamp down with requisite force to hurriedly bring the Macan to a standstill.
Model |
Porsche Macan |
BMW X3 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 |
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Rotors Front |
13.6" |
13.0" |
13.5" |
13.0" |
Brake Rotors Rear |
13.0" |
13.0" |
12.6" |
12.5" |
Curb Weight |
4099 lbs |
4041 lbs |
3977 lbs |
4044 lbs |
60-0 MPH |
110 ft |
115 ft |
116 ft |
117 ft |
Despite being the heaviest in this lineup of compact SUVs, the Porsche Macan does well to stop well ahead of all the others. Its brakes too are the biggest in this segment to effectively counter the Macan’s overall heft.
If all Porsche’s are known for their exceptional handling, the Macan should not be any different, and it is not. It corners and steers with the precision all Porsche’s are known for. While its compact dimensions make up for relative agility, its wider track and heavy weight return a planted feel.
Even the standard multi-link suspension up front and at the back are tuned optimally for minimal body roll during cornering and for adequate composure over broken roads. The optional height-adjustable two-chamber air suspension further neutralizes handling.
The Porsche Macan’s 2.0-liter inline-four has been tuned to excite, much like its seven-speed PDK which also favors performance. So the Macan is inevitably not very fuel efficient. Also the fact that this Porsche is no lightweight further affects MPG ratings. The only way to really get the best out of the Macan in terms of efficiency is when you are coasting along highways where shifts from the seven-speed automatic are kept to a minimum.
Model |
Porsche Macan |
BMW X3 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 |
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
19 |
24 |
21 |
22 |
MPG (Highway) |
23 |
29 |
28 |
28 |
MPG (Combined) |
21 |
26 |
24 |
24 |
Fuel Capacity |
19.8 gallons |
17.2 gallons |
17.4 gallons |
16.9 gallons |
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) |
376/455/415 miles |
413/499/447 miles |
365/487/417 miles |
372/473/405 miles |
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 emissions @ 15K mi/yr) |
8.4 |
6.9 |
7.3 |
7.4 |
The Porsche Macan is the least fuel efficient compact utility vehicle in its class. All other SUVs do much better to return higher levels of economy than it. However, the Macan’s 19.8 gallon fuel tank is the biggest in this segment. This goes a long way in improving its overall practicality.
As a premium utility vehicle the Macan can seat up to 5 people, however, only four might actually be comfortable as space in the second row is scanty. Even the quality of materials used on the inside isn’t at par with the Macan’s price. The optional leather-trim does make the cabin look significantly more tasteful but feels impractical for an additional price of over $2300.
The only way to really enjoy this Porsche is to be sitting in the driver’s seat. Everything from the arrangement of controls to the position of the PDK gear selector has been strategically laid out to help the driver become one with the car.
Model |
Porsche Macan |
BMW X3 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 |
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
N/A |
41.1/57.6/40.3 |
37.8/57.3/40.8 |
40.2/NA/36.6 |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
N/A |
39.1/56.0/36.4 |
38.5/56.5/37.3 |
38.9/NA/35.9 |
Both BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 offer similar levels of roominess. Though the second row of the GLC 300 is the most spacious. The quick-to-accelerate Stelvio, however, isn’t as accommodating.
The Porsche Macan gets a new 10.9-inch touchscreen display which is quite intuitive. Its full-HD display delivers a sharp experience too.
The features included in this personalized screen are:
The compact dimensions of the Macan give it its agility but take away much of the usability. Like its cooped second row, the cargo is also constricted. Even the interior cubby holes are too tiny to be considered practical.
Model |
Porsche Macan |
BMW X3 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 |
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Capacity |
17.6 cu.ft. |
28.7 cu.ft. |
19.4 cu.ft. |
18.5 cu.ft. |
At 17.6 cubic feet, the Macan’s trunk is the smallest in this lineup of compact SUVs. At the same time, the BMW X3 manges to get back at the GLC 300 with its best in class boot space.
In order to make the Macan’s interior as involving as its performance, Porsche has equipped this SUV with comfort features like:
Porsche gave the Macan an external refresh for the model year 2019 and the 2020 Macan carries over unchanged. Those changes though simple proved to be plenty effective for the Macan. Some might argue that the Macan looks even sportier than the Cayenne, which it resembles.
Upfront, wide air intakes with outer vents make the Macan look commanding. At the same time, the downward diving hood with LED headlights make the Macan look like a typical Porsche. Its sides have been neatly carved with a minimalistic approach to enhance presence.
While its lower side blades are a feature exclusive only to this Porsche in the vastness of high-riding SUVs, the spoiler at the back and dual exhaust tips add to its uniqueness. The 3D LED taillight strip further highlights form and gives this SUV a rather dramatic finish.
Model |
Porsche Macan |
BMW X3 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 |
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport Carbon |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight |
4099 lbs |
4041 lbs |
3977 lbs |
4044 lbs |
Length |
184.9" |
185.9" |
183.3" |
184.6" |
Width |
76.2" |
74.4" |
74.8" |
74.9" |
Height |
63.9" |
66.0" |
64.7" |
66.0" |
Ground Clearance |
6.9" |
8.0" |
5.0" |
7.8" |
Wheelbase |
110.5" |
112.8" |
113.1" |
111.0" |
The Porsche Macan is the heaviest compact SUV in this lineup. While this drives down the Macan’s performance and efficiency, its small wheelbase affects usability.
The revamped exterior elements that make the Macan look aggressive and attractive at the same time are:
The 2020 Porsche Macan is yet to be tested by officials for its resilience. Be that as it may, this Porsche gets enough safety features to ensure total security for all its passengers which include:
It’s not everyday that any car manages to outrun a Porsche but the X3 does. Yes, the Macan manages to catch up this Bimmer eventually but the X3 is more than just that. Besides being the quicker of the two, the X3 is also a lot more fuel efficient and offers higher range. It also has a more accommodating cabin and its boot is the biggest in this segment. The X3 is undoubtedly the better SUV in this stand-off. The fact that it is also less costly than the Macan makes it an even sweeter deal.
The Porsche Macan appears to be an impressive SUV as long as you don't compare with the other utility vehicles in its segment. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 offers levels of practicality the Macan can’t match up to. In terms of performance, it is the GLC 300 that takes the lead again. Also its most spacious second row and a less expensive price tag can make Macan owners wonder if they made a big mistake.
If you are in the market looking for a compact SUV that is fairly premium and offers levels of excitement like a smaller sports car, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio does a much better job checking all the right boxes. If its utility you want from your “SUV” the X3 and GLC 300 far outweigh the Macan too. Clearly, the Macan is one SUV which still has not been able to get its bearings right.