"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."40,000-Mile Wrap-UpAfter 40,000 miles, it turns out our biggest gripe about the Porsche Macan T was our fault. Our Macan T was expensive on its own, starting at $68,150, but things got crazier when we couldn't resist Porsche's tempting list of options, and our desires ballooned the bottom line to a dear $82,980. Did we really need the punch and clarity of the $5700 Burmester audio upgrade? Would we spend our own money on the gloss-black roof rails ($410) and clear LED taillights ($910) just to see what they looked like? Maybe not, but the 1000-watt stereo system sounds incredible.Another ticked option box took us to Leipzig, Germany, to take delivery at the factory ($1500), although we had to restrain ourselves on the derestricted autobahn, as the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine's 1875-mile break-in period deems full throttle verboten. Before being presented with your car, you get a half-day of playtime at Porsche's test track, where you can drive almost any model on offer, or you can take on the off-road course in a Cayenne. We returned with an album of automotive baby photos.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen the Macan arrived stateside a couple of months later, the logbook immediately filled with praise for the T's superb ride and handling compromise, specifically the car's adaptive dampers and steering feedback. "I wish Porsche would license its chassis know-how to every other automaker," wrote deputy video editor Carlos Lago.Sports sedans are an endangered species, but the Macan's drivability and willingness to be pressed hard into corners kept us grinning and reminded us of many past greats. While the Macan is a tactile, sporty, and satisfying SUV, the 261-hp four-cylinder struggles to get off the line with authority. "The throttle response is shockingly lazy in Normal mode," noted testing director Dave VanderWerp. "Makes it feel much slower than it is. Sport mode totally fixes it and should be considered the default."PorscheThe Macan leapt to 60 mph in a launch-control-enabled 5.4 seconds when new, a solid time that improved after 40,000 miles, dropping to 5.2 seconds in our long-term wrap-up test. Unfortunately, real-world driving rarely allows for a launch-control start, and the T's 6.1-second time from 5 to 60 mph is more indicative of its typical acceleration. If only Porsche had opted for the 328-hp version of this engine found in the Macan's corporate cousin, the Audi S3.Most staffers took VanderWerp's advice and left the T in Sport, which raises the idle speed slightly and holds lower gears longer, a contributor to its 21-mpg thirst for premium fuel over 40,000 miles. At least the 19.8-gallon tank provided us 400-plus miles of highway range.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverPorsche covers the first service at 10,000 miles, a stop that includes an oil change and several inspections. Subsequent services set us back a total of $4072; the 40,000-mile stop accounted for $2310 of that and included replacing transmission and brake fluid, as well as several inspections that required paying our local dealer's $255-per-hour labor rate for them to do things like honk the horn, clean the drains, and look around the car as the lubricants drained out.AdvertisementAdvertisementOutside of maintenance and a windshield repair, the Macan T never spent time in a service bay, a flawless reliability record. The interior held up well and remained free of scratches and smudges. The Copper Ruby Metallic paint gleamed despite weekly automatic car washes. Competitors offer more speed for less but fall short of the responsive handling and clear control feel of this Porsche, which is all there at the T's base price. We're going to miss this one—doubly so since Porsche stopped building the gas-powered Macan in July.Drew Dorian - Car and Driver30,000-Mile UpdateThe excitement of driving our long-term Macan T continues unabated at the 30,000-mile mark despite its less-than-exciting acceleration. As we previously mentioned in the 20,000-mile update, the 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four works better when you select Sport mode. But even with Sport mode activated, there's more flooring in this Porsche than any other since the base Cayenne had a 247-hp VR6 and ambled to 60 in 8.8 seconds. The Macan T is nowhere near that sluggish, but its superlative handling and braking leave you wanting more straight-line speed. It seems to be a victim of its own abilities.Drew Dorian - Car and DriverThe windshield-glass replacement that happened just before the 10,000-mile mark is likely to blame for the behavior of the Macan's automatic wipers. When we first replaced the glass, the wipers weren't sensitive enough to rain. The Macan gives the driver the ability to adjust the sensitivity on the wiper stalk, but even when switched to the most sensitive setting, the wipers would remain parked too long. This resulted in the replacement of the rain sensor. Unfortunately, we now find the wipers are too sensitive to water on the windshield. Again, this occurs despite playing with the stalk-mounted control.Upon hitting 30,000 miles, we took the Macan T to the dealer for another scheduled service. In addition to changing the oil, plus a few other inspections while the car was up on the lift, this stop also calls for replacing the spark plugs. All said, the service set us back $861. So far, the Macan has racked up $1762 in maintenance costs, and that's with a free first service at 10,000 miles.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverDespite the expense of the Macan T's purchase price and the cost of service, its mix of refinement and sportiness is unmatched in the compact-SUV world. As it closes in on the end of its time with us, we can't escape its lack of quickness, but it still makes us smile, especially when it's not raining.AdvertisementAdvertisementMonths in Fleet: 14 months Current Mileage: 31,319 milesAverage Fuel Economy: 22 mpgFuel Tank Size: 19.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 430 milesService: $1762 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0Damage and Destruction: $1145Drew Dorian - Car and Driver20,000-Mile UpdateOur Copper Ruby Metallic Porsche Macan T continues to delight with its mix of sports-sedan-like handling, no-fuss operation, quiet refinement, and solid build quality.There has, however, been a gremlin related to the prior windshield replacement during Mr. T's second 10,000 miles. After the windshield repair shop replaced the automatic wiper rain sensing pad to remedy their inconsistency, the airbag light immediately illuminated. When the Macan T went to the dealer for its scheduled 20,000-mile service, they found no issues, cleared airbag code, and everything has been quiet since.In addition to an oil and filter change, the 20,000-mile stop includes a number of inspections, clearing water drains, and a new cabin air filter for a cool $901. Technicians recalibrated the airbag sensor and reset the system under warranty; the warning lights have remained dark since.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverWishes for more power from the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four have disappeared from the logbook as many of us have adapted to turning the mode-select dial on the steering wheel to Sport mode. This raises idle speed to 1000 rpm for slightly more sprightly acceleration from a stop and keeps the transmission in lower gears longer. Our average fuel economy has improved to 21 mpg.AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter driving through winter and summer we've found the Macan T's standard cloth and leather combination on the seats to be the perfect choice. The fabric is softer and warmer (or cooler on hot days) than the optional full leather seat. We'd definitely upgrade to the T from the base Macan for the additional bolstering and more supportive seats alone.Months in Fleet: 11 months Current Mileage: 23,959 milesAverage Fuel Economy: 21 mpgFuel Tank Size: 19.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 410 milesService: $901 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0Damage and Destruction: $1145Andi Hedrick - Car and Driver10,000-Mile UpdateWhile the Macan T isn't the car-board darling it was when it first arrived, it continues to impress with its mix of practicality and handling. As new dad and deputy video editor Carlos Lago put it, "This car is great for small families who love to drive."There have been some grumblings about the Macan's 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four. It'd be nice if the T brought more power than you get in the base Macan—may we suggest the 328-hp version of the same engine that's in the Audi S3? Another complaint that has surfaced has been directed at the dual-clutch automatic. From a stop, the gearbox takes its time before giving any forward (or reverse) progress. That delay can get challenging when you want to pull out quickly into traffic and the gearbox pauses before giving you first gear.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverThrottle response is similarly languid in Normal mode. Select Sport mode, or the Individual mode that allows you to put just the transmission in Sport mode, and the revs rise at idle, which improves throttle response when accelerating from a stop. In Sport, the automatic also holds gears longer before upshifting and will downshift if you brake hard before a corner. That proclivity toward lower gears affects fuel economy. So far, we're getting 20 mpg. Fortunately, the Macan T has a 19.8-gallon fuel tank, so each fill of premium yields about 390 miles of range.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Macan T's first scheduled service was a 10,000-mile oil and filter change that cost us nothing, as Porsche takes care of the first service. We did spend $1145 on a new windshield after a large crack appeared near the roof. Since that new windshield was installed, we have noticed that the automatic wipers have lost their sensitivity to rain. The installation comes with a reprogramming, and they do eventually wipe, but we'll have it looked at the next time it goes in for service. Until then, we'll have to do things the old-fashioned way, deciding for ourselves when to flick on the wipers. Such hardship.Andi Hedrick - Car and DriverMonths in Fleet: 8 months Current Mileage: 14,570 milesAverage Fuel Economy: 20 mpgFuel Tank Size: 19.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 390 milesService: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0Damage and Destruction: $1145IntroductionOver the past 10 years, Porsche has sold hundreds of thousands of Macan SUVs. We've awarded it 10Best laurels, it's stood out in numerous comparison tests, and yet we've never subjected one to a long-term test. We're correcting that oversight with a 2024 Macan T.The impatient among you will always want to buy a new car from a dealer's stock, which largely explains why most cars are white, black, or silver. If you're willing to wait and order your car like we did, you can get a color like Copper Ruby Metallic ($700 for 2024, yet that's increased significantly to $2480 for 2025) and pair it with 20-inch Neodyme (bronze-painted) wheels for an additional $1440. The T adds standard adaptive dampers and the Sport Chrono package, the latter bestowing launch control. The T also comes with standard eight-way Sport seats that mix pinstriped fabric on the seating surfaces with black leather bolsters. Black leather is a no-cost option, but we love the gentle support and look of the fabric inserts. Soft yet supportive, we'd pay extra for these seats. With the freedom to build an ideal Macan T and Porsche footing the bill, we kept ticking options, the 1000-plus-watt, 16-speaker Burmester audio system being the largest single-ticket item at $5700. From there we went for the heated rear seats ($570) because much of this test will take place in Michigan, LED headlights with gloss-black trim ($1040), insulating side windows ($920), and several other add-ons. And then we noticed the option for European delivery.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverPicking up a Macan (or any Porsche, except for the Taycan) from the factory in Germany cost $1500 for 2024—though that's also increased, to $2500, for 2025—but that sum still includes insurance and registration fees. Do it. Not only do you get to play with your new toy in the land of unrestricted autobahns, but Porsche also gives you a full immersion into the world of Porsche at the Experience Center in Leipzig or in Stuttgart. We took delivery in Leipzig to check out the birthplace of the Macan.AdvertisementAdvertisementDelivery day starts with a coffee and snack and then you're given the choice of playing in the dirt or on the tarmac—or both. We chose to get dirty first. An instructor is assigned to you to help you navigate the off-road course. After about 30 minutes of using a Cayenne to climb obstacles, wade through water, and try our best to get stuck, we decided to switch to the 11 corners of the 2.3-mile racetrack. Lined up trackside is a selection of every Porsche model, just as they are in our dreams. You can choose to have the instructor in your car, or you can do a lead-follow where the instructor has you follow in the car of your choice. We chose a Macan GTS since it was as close to the Macan T we were picking up as was available.PorscheAfter an hour or so of redline upshifts and screeching tires, we pitted and walked to the pit garages, where the delivery takes place. Porsche adds a bit of drama to the ceremony by covering the car and then pulling the cover off, as if it were debuting at an auto show—and it works. The experience hits you in the guttiwuts as the car you built on a computer screen months ago appears right in front of you. A product expert gives a detailed walkaround and eventually hands over the keys. A tour of the assembly plant is optional and shows the various stations involved in the process. A lunch in the restaurant overlooking the racetrack follows, and then you're free to explore the collection of race and classic cars or take off in your new Porsche. When your European trip is over you drop off the car in one of several locations throughout Europe, and Porsche handles the shipping. After a couple of months, your car arrives to your local dealer.In addition to Leipzig, Porsche offers delivery services in Stuttgart, as well as closer to home in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Each location features a unique track, but the experience is largely the same wherever you go. And you don't have to even buy a Porsche to get the general experience either; each center offers the same program whether you are taking a car home or not.PorscheThe Macan's owner's manual indicates that the 261-hp 2.0-liter turbo four and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic want a 1875-mile break-in period consisting of varying engine rpm, limited full-throttle acceleration, and no trips to the 6800-rpm redline, a request that is challenging when an unrestricted autobahn tempts you. Still, we managed to respect the break-in while cruising at 90 to 110 mph. A couple of days of exploring east Germany—the Bauhaus Museum in Dessau is a must—and we returned the Macan T to the Experience Center in Leipzig to begin its journey across the Atlantic.As the memories of Germany were starting to fade, our $82,980 as-tested Macan T arrived stateside in late September. Break-in period behind us, the Macan reported to the track for its initial test. The Volkswagen-sourced 2.0-liter has a lot more to work against here than it does when bolted into a Volkswagen GTI. Getting 4262 pounds of Macan moving from a stop reveals turbo lag; the engine is largely asleep until you rev past 2500 rpm. Selecting Sport mode helps mitigate some of the laziness as the idle speed rises from about 750 rpm to just below 1000, which helps off-the-line responsiveness. Sport also keeps the automatic operating in lower gears to keep the power at the ready. Even with all that revving, the four remains smooth and largely in the background, as our 77-decibel reading at full throttle indicates. Activate launch control and the revs rise to about 5000 rpm before departure, leading to a 5.4-second run to 60 mph. Think of that as a theoretical number; on the street, the Macan T accelerates more slowly, as the 6.1-second 5-to-60-mph figure reveals. Quick enough, but certainly not quick overall, is how we'd characterize this VW-powered Macan. Plenty of aftermarket tuners offer more power, and that's a route we may explore after our 40,000-mile test is over.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverThe Macan T's turbo four currently is drinking a gallon of premium every 19 miles—possibly because the engine needs to work hard to provide meaningful acceleration—matching its EPA city number. To put that into perspective, the twin-turbocharged V-6s in the Macan S and GTS score 17 mpg in the city. Our lackluster fuel economy went initially unnoticed since the fuel tank measures a large 19.8 gallons, bestowing a decent observed range of 370 miles. Hopefully it will improve once the Macan begins to stretch its legs on road trips.There have been zero issues with our Macan T thus far. To ready us for the eventual snow that will blanket our Michigan office, we've swapped the Porsche's staggered 20-inch Pirelli P Zero summer rubber for a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV winter tires in original-equipment sizes ($1618 per set on Tirerack.com). Steering feel on the squishier Michelins remains excellent, and the responsiveness is unchanged. There have been a few complaints about the smallness of the 10.9-inch center touchscreen when running Apple CarPlay and the lack of legroom in the second row. But in Germany or in Michigan, the Macan T remains a sufficiently luxurious daily driver that delivers sports-car-like handling and feel, if not straight-line performance.AdvertisementAdvertisementMonths in Fleet: 3 months Current Mileage: 4706 milesAverage Fuel Economy: 19 mpgFuel Tank Size: 19.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 370 milesService: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0Damage and Destruction: $0You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029
