Porsche Macan Review

Cross an SUV with a sports car, and you end up with the Porsche Macan

Strengths & weaknesses

  • Strong performance and agile handling
  • Spacious and luxurious interior
  • Holds value very well
  • Only two petrol options currently available new
  • Diesel not offered in facelifted range
  • Expensive options

Porsche Macan prices from £28,999   Finance from £412.18 per month

The Porsche Macan is the kind of car that will let you have your cake and eat it. It’s a sporty SUV; once a contradiction in terms, which this brilliant all-rounder lays to rest, with its combination of a practical interior and raised ride height with the kind of roadholding you'd expect from a two-seater sports car..

It was launched in 2013, but in October 2018 received a major facelift that makes it look even more sleek and desirable. Not only that but in response to changing consumer demand, it also lost its once-popular diesel engine - a problem if you’re a high-mileage driver or simply looking to reduce your running costs. You'll have to shop for a used model if you want the added fuel economy or massive mid-engine-speed punch of the diesel.

Despite the loss of the diesel, the Macan is in a class of its own due to its focus on performance and driver engagement. But close rivals include performance versions of premium SUVs such as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, both launched in 2018, as well as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Macan has four-wheel drive as standard, which helps maximise grip when accelerating on slippery roads, as well as provide a degree of off-roading ability in conjunction with the added ground clearance over equivalent estate cars.

It’s agile in corners and its firm, sporty suspension keeps it from leaning like more softly sprung SUVs - despite its height. The latest version comes with uniquely developed tyres that Porsche claims improve cornering performance further still.

The ride is firm but not uncomfortably so, especially in the Comfort setting on the adaptive suspension, where you can choose different settings depending upon whether you want a more planted, harder ride, or a more comfy, absorbent ride. There’s an optional – and expensive – air suspension system, too, that can adjust the ride height of the car; useful if you’re likely to use the Macan off-road.

All this would be nothing if the steering were vague and lifeless. In fact, it has sports car levels of accuracy, weight and directness, giving the person behind the wheel far more confidence than they'd have in other SUVs.

The Audi Q5 and BMW X3 each have impressive and stylish interiors, but the Macan’s takes its inspiration from more expensive Porsches and as a result feels a rung above those rivals, with a greater feeling of luxury. The array of buttons looks more Top Gun than Top Gear, but they’re all logically laid out.

The Macan’s sporty looks - with its sloping roofline - mean that rivals have more boot space; the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC’s boots are bigger, but the Porsche's 500 litres is still more than adequate for most drivers, while space in the rear seats isn’t severely compromised, either.

If you can get over the lack of a diesel engine in the new line-up - or simply opt for a used diesel model - the Macan is well worth a close look. Meanwhile, the fact it holds its value extremely well makes it relatively attainable, with surprisingly affordable monthly payments on PCP finance (as monthly payments are based upon the difference between the initial price - high in this case - and the expected value at the end of the contract - very high for the Macan).

This is also good news for cash buyers, as you'll get more back for your car when you come to sell or part exchange due to the low depreciation, recouping a greater proportion of the initial price you paid than you would with most rivals.

Key facts

Warranty Three-year/unlimited mileage
Boot size 500 litres
Width 1923mm
Length 4681mm
Height 1624mm
Tax First year is £830 then £450 in years two to six.

Best Porsche Macan for...

Best for Economy – Porsche Macan S Diesel (2014 to Oct 2018)

A diesel engine in a Porsche would have been unheard of a decade ago (except for in tractors) but this smooth, refined and powerful 258hp 3.0-litre unit summons up 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds, while around 35mpg (44.8mpg officially) does nothing to undermine the Macan’s sporty character. It also has the pulling power and traction to take a family on a skiing trip in total luxury. Not available from new.

Best for Performance – Porsche Macan Turbo (2014 to Oct 2018)

The Macan GTS has a decent turn of pace but the Turbo is far quicker still. It’s capable of 0-62mph in a Porsche 911-rivalling 4.8 seconds – impressive for a two-tonne SUV.

History

April 2014 The Macan goes on sale in three guises: 3.0 S, 3.6-litre Turbo petrol, and S Diesel.
October 2015 The Macan GTS, a sportier version of the S and powered by an uprated version of its 3.0-litre petrol engine, is launched.
June 2016 Macan 2.0 goes on sale claiming improved fuel consumption and lower emissions.
October 2018 Facelifted Macan is launched with just one engine – a detuned and cleaned-up version of the outgoing 2.0-litre turbo petrol. All previous engines dropped. The return of larger and more powerful versions of these engines is promised from 2019.

Understanding Porsche Macan names

Version Macan

The facelifted Macan is likely to follow the same naming convention as the outgoing car with trim level and engine being directly linked. For example, the Macan S not only has more equipment than the basic Macan but it also has the 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine. The GTS has still more equipment and a more powerful 3.0-litre engine.

Porsche Macan Engines

2.0-litre turbo

Previously, Porsche offered a 3.0-litre V6 petrol in various guises, a 3.0-litre diesel, as well as a 2.0-litre petrol turbo. These can be read about in the used section.

From new, Porsche currently only offers a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It’s a cleaner, but less powerful version of the previous 2.0-litre engine. It does almost 35mpg on the new WLTP emissions test cycle, but can still crack 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds.

It will be followed in 2019 by the return of a cleaner and more powerful version of the outgoing 3.0-litre V6, destined for a facelifted Macan S.

A still more powerful version of this engine will be fitted to the Macan GTS and will be available in late 2019.

The Macan Turbo will get the 2.9-litre turbo V6 from the larger Cayenne SUV. There will be no hybrid engine.

 

Fuel

Fuel economy

Power

Acceleration

Top speed

2.0

Petrol

34.9mpg

242bhp

0-62mph: 6.7s

139mph

Porsche Macan Trims

Although only the base version of the facelifted range launched in October 2018 has been released, it’s clear Porsche intends to retain and build on the Macan’s outgoing trims.

Whether it is new or outgoing, every Macan has all-wheel drive, an automatic gearbox, a multi-function sports steering wheel with paddleshifters (to change gear manually), electric tailgate, alloy wheels and an audio system – although the last two in this list vary depending on the version of the car you buy.

Standard headlights are halogen, with bi-xenon alternatives on the Turbo (or as an option on other variants), while all tail-lights are LEDs. The facelifted model has LED headlights as standard, while the LED rear lights now extend across the width of the car.

The interior is swathed in leather, while standard eight-way adjustable seats are upholstered in Alcantara, upgraded to adaptive sports seats on the Turbo. Two-zone climate control is available on all models. The facelifted model adds a new steering wheel from the Porsche 911.

In terms of entertainment, the base CDR Plus audio system on the outgoing Macan uses a 7-inch colour touchscreen (it’s an 11-inch system on the facelifted model), with USB interface for smartphone connectivity.

Optional audio systems include one from Bose (with 14 speakers and a total output of 545 watts), or a top-of-the-range Burmester system with 16 speakers and a 1,000-watt output.

In terms of connectivity, the PCM enables online services to be accessed, or there’s a Porsche Car Connect option that makes it possible to access information and control vehicle functions remotely using a smartphone. Facelifted versions have more accurate online navigation and intelligent voice control.

Among the optional driver assistance systems are lane assist, and adaptive cruise control with active safety features that uses radar to help avoid rear-end collisions. To these features, the facelifted version adds traffic jam assist. This enables the car to accelerate, brake and steer within lanes autonomously at speeds of up to 37mph.

Porsche Macan Reliability and warranty

The Macan wasn’t included in the 2016 Driver Power survey (the only Porsche model listed was the last-generation 911), but the German brand placed seventh overall. Its reliability rating wasn’t as high, but with the low number of actual cars that participants reported on, that should not be taken as gospel. Indeed, in other similar surveys, with enough qualifying models, Porsche usually has a good showing, with reports of robust, durable products.

The Macan also uses a number of parts that are shared with other Volkswagen Group products, so there should be no real surprises.

The standard Porsche warranty is 36 months on all new vehicles.

Used Porsche Macan

The Macan has been on sale for four years and there are plenty of used models on the market.

There are currently 13 Porsche Macans available on BuyaCar, with prices ranging from £28,999 to £62,500 for nearly-new models. Monthly finance payments start from £412.18 per month.

The quality and appeal of the cars, plus the company’s disciplined approach to discounting and the pains it takes to protect its brand, mean they hold their value better than most.

Porsche only offers (at the moment) one engine from new in the Macan, a 2.0-litre petrol turbo.

But on the used market is a full array of engines the Macan came with. The one engine that won’t see the light of day in a Porsche again is the 258hp 3.0-litre V6 diesel in the outgoing Macan S Diesel. This once popular model does 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds, slightly faster than its petrol equivalent, and returns around 35mpg according to the Equa Index of real-world fuel consumption (the official claim is 44mpg). It meets the current Euro 6 emissions standard and produces 159 to 164g/km CO2.

Being Euro 6 will help support the values of Diesel models at a time when diesel cars are under pressure.  There are currently 13 diesel Porsche Macans available on BuyaCar, with prices starting from £28,999.

There’s also a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It produces 252hp, sufficient to take the car from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, or 6.5 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package fitted. Expect only around 25mpg from this engine and its larger sister engines.

The Macan S has a 340hp 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine and 0-62mph takes 5.4 seconds (5.2 seconds with Sport Chrono). The Macan GTS uses the same engine as the S but tuned to produce 360hp, trimming the 0-62mph sprint by 0.2 seconds. Both are outgunned by the range-topping Macan Turbo which is fitted with a 400hp 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and does 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds (4.6 with the Sport Chrono package).

Porsche Macan deals

Fuel

Fuel economy

Power

Acceleration (0-62mph)

Top speed

Macan 

Petrol

38.7mpg

252hp

6.7s

142mph

Macan S 

Petrol

32.1mpg

340hp

5.4s

158mph

Macan GTS 

Petrol

32.1mpg

360hp

5.2s

159mph

Macan Turbo

Petrol

31.7mpg

400hp

4.8s

165mph

Macan S Diesel 

Diesel

44.8mpg

258hp

6.3s

165mph