Settles the debate over whether an SUV can truly be sporty
Twin-turbo V6 and PDK transmission work brilliantly together
Suspension feels impressively planted and buttoned down
High quality interior is suitably comfortable and luxurious
Dislikes:
Rear seating is somewhat cramped, especially for larger adults
Questionable value considering you can get a larger Cayenne for less
It’s no secret that car enthusiasts love to hate on SUVs, as most just don’t perform well, especially compared to a well-designed coupe or sedan. Even your modern car-based crossover is just too tall, too heavy, and too likely to be stuck doing carpool duty to warrant any serious consideration from a performance perspective.
Although we generally share the above sentiments, the new Porsche Macan left us questioning ourselves, as this is a luxury crossover that can really, really hustle. In fact, we can think of quite a few legitimate sports sedans that would struggle to keep up with the Macan on a twisty backroad.
Given Porsche’s track record with sporty automobiles, we shouldn’t be too surprised. Anyone who has driven a Cayenne has surely commented on how remarkable the handling is, especially for a large SUV. Now imagine a smaller, more nimble version of this, and you basically have the Macan.
Despite sharing its underpinnings with the more pedestrian Audi Q5, the Macan is essentially all-new, with a unique exterior, interior, powertrain, and suspension. Initially there will be two models: the base Macan S, with a twin-turbo 340 horsepower 3.0-liter V6, and the Macan Turbo, which ups the power to 400 horsepower and 406 lb-ft torque, courtesy of a 3.6-litert twin-turbo V6. Both engines are mated to Porsche’s superb 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, and all-wheel drive comes standard.
Our test car was the more powerful Macan Turbo, which suited us just fine. Hit the go pedal and the Macan Turbo accelerates with authority, although it almost doesn’t feel as fast as the numbers would suggest. This is likely due to the smooth, linear nature of the engine; a peaky turbo this is not.
Still, from any objective perspective the Macan Turbo is wicked fast: Car and Driver measured a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds using launch control, which takes advantage of the all-wheel drive and a rather vicious clutch dump to launch the car hard off the line. No doubt Porsche already has plans to tune the engine for more power, as 400 horsepower is a somewhat conservative figure given the displacement.
Buying a Macan for drag racing would be missing the point, though, as it’s the handling that really makes this crossover special. Our test car featured the optional adjustable air suspension, as well as huge 21-inch Michelin Latitude Sport 3 tires, both of which do an impressive job of keeping the Macan Turbo planted on the road. Throw it into a tight corner and the level of composure and sheer grip is quite ridiculous.
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Surprisingly, our test car came fitted with a rear hitch, and we couldn’t help but throw a Thule bike rack on the back. Loaded with two mountain bikes and associated gear, the Macan Turbo proved to be one of the sickest ways to get to the trailhead. At one point, after hitting a particularly tasty set of switchbacks at speed, we glanced back and were almost surprised to see that the bikes were still there.
For folks not interested in strafing every on-ramp at mach 5, the Macan is luckily also a suitably luxurious ride. Dial the suspension back and the car is commendably smooth, and the seats are both supportive and comfortable. The dash features a few too many buttons for our taste, but everything is nicely laid out, and the overall interior quality is very much class competitive. Rear legroom is limited, and larger adults will definitely feel a bit cramped in the back, but for smaller families the Macan should be quite practical. Our test car came loaded with such options as an impressive Burmester high-end surround sound system, as well as a host of tech safety features, such as front and rear park assist.
With a $73k base price and an options list as long as the tax code, the Macan Turbo is a questionable value, especially since you can get a larger Cayenne for less. Heck, you could buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a new Miata for less, although we’d concede that anyone buying a Porsche is likely not doing so for purely rational reasons. Plus, the base Macan S does start at a more reasonable $49,900, making it the far more logical choice for folks who aren’t concerned about racing the neighbor’s new Corvette.
What others are saying about the Porsche Macan Turbo:
The folks over at Autoweek - opens in new window or tab. have given the Macan Turbo a thorough evaluation, with multiple editors chiming in with their thoughts. Senior Motorsports Editor Mac Morrison doubts the rationality of buying a Macan Turbo, but he is impressed nonetheless: “Whether or not you or I understand the CUV enthusiast, the ones who drive a Macan Turbo will have their hands on the best the class has to offer at the moment.”
Senior Road Test Editor Natalie Neff is also in disbelief over the price, wondering how Porsche can get away with offering the larger Cayenne for less than the base Macan. But once behind the wheel, it’s all smiles: “All that is not to say I didn’t thoroughly enjoy driving the Macan. It’s a genuine hoot (even if blasting around a racetrack is made a bit off-putting given you’re seated so high). And I’m going to just go ahead and say it: This PDK is the best transmission going right now, bar none.”
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