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." With cues from the Cayenne, 911 and even the 918 Spyder, the Macan is unmistakably Porsche.
The Macan is available in Base, S, GTS, Turbo or Turbo with Performance trim. All feature 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, 19-inch alloy wheels and fat tires, the Macan is as sure-footed as they come. The Turbo also includes Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), an electronic damping control system featuring Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes for increased stability, safety and comfort.
Three engines are offered in the Macan. The base Macan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder making 252 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 twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6, which produces 340 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 339 pound-feet of torque from just 1,450 rpm. That's enough to propel the Macan S to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 156 mph. The Macan GTS is also powered by the 3.0L V6, with a performance tune that takes it to 360 horsepower. Finally, the Macan Turbo models move thanks to a 3.6L twin-turbo V6. In the regular Turbo, the unit makes an even 400 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 406 pound-feet at 1,350 rpm. That's good for a supercar-like 0-60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds and a top end of 164 mph. In the Turbo with Performance package, the engine produces 440 horsepower and 442 pound-feet, with 0-60 mph coming in a brisk 4.2 seconds.
All 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, tri-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 GTS features special exterior aero treatments and rides on 20-inch wheels. It features an adaptive air suspension, along with bigger disc brakes, a throaty sport exhaust and heated sport seats.
In the Macan Turbo, you'll find LED daytime running lights and adaptive headlights, 18-way powered and heated seats and navigation.
Macan interiors are as luxurious and ergonomically efficient as anything Porsche has assembled in the rest of its range. 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 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 hazards around the Macan 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
After a fair amount of lineup shuffling last year, the Macan continues into 2018 mostly unchanged.
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 is sure to en-trance all who drive it.
