Porsche Macan - TopCarNews

Porsche Macan (2014 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Porsche Macan is a mid-size premium SUV that sits below the Cayenne in the company’s SUV range. It was launched back in 2014, having its latest facelift in Autumn 2021. The Macan shares its basic platform with the original Audi Q5 (2008), but with extensive modifcations by Porsche.

The Macan is available with a selection of turbocharged petrol engines (not just the Macan Turbo model). A 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine was previously available, but was discontinued in the wake of parent company Volkswagen’s infamous Dieselgate emissions-cheating scandal.

The Porsche Macan range has received strongly positive reviews from across the UK motoring media, although the top-spec Turbo model tends to score a bit lower than other models in the range. It is highly praised for its driving dynamics, while also being refined and comfortable. The main criticisms have been that (like any Porsche) it tends to be expensive once you start adding too many optional extras, and that many of those extra-cost options are standard on plenty of cheaper cars.

In a 2020 What Car? survey of the 50 most reliable cars in the UK up to eight years old, the petrol-engined versions of the Porsche Macan ranked equal 47th. Diesel versions didn’t make the top 50.

A facelifted version of the current Macan arrived in the UK in Autumn 2021, with an updated interior and some minor cosmetic changes. The next-generation Porsche Macan is likely to be unveiled in 2022, which will only be available as an all-electric model.

As of December 2021, the Porsche Macan has an Expert Rating of 78%, based on 35 reviews collected from UK media sources.

Macan highlights

Sports car performance
Refined and comfortable cabin
Sleek exterior
Good quality infotainment
Excellent driving position

Macan lowlights

High running costs
Top-of-the-range models very expensive
Some optional features should be standard
Other SUV rivals are more practical
Heavy weight hinders agility

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol
Price: From £48,970 on-road

Launched: Spring 2014Last updated: Autumn 2021
Update due: TBA

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Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

“The Macan S is a more compelling option than the four-cylinder base car, offering a new world of performance in comparison.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: 2.9-litre petrol automatic GTSScore: 10 / 10“What Porsche has achieved with the new Macan GTS is remarkable. This is a performance SUV that feels as agile as a great hot hatchback, yet remains practical, comfortable, beautifully finished and furnished with excellent six-cylinder prowess.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Macan delivers SUV practicality in a package that stays true to Porsche’s performance car heritage.”
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Model reviewed: TurboScore: 9 / 10“The Porsche Macan Turbo may have a new powertrain, but there’s nothing new about how impressive this SUV is. It’s still a showcase of how to launch a bona-fide performance SUV, blending pace and agility with genuine comfort and refinement.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The refreshed Macan follows the well-trodden path of ‘blink and you’ll miss them’ updates to the design, but there are some tasty treats in store under the bonnet.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“It’s beautifully made, has cracking performance and handling, and will also keep the family comfortable. Some will bemoan the lack of diesel options, but it’s the most fun you can have in a small SUV.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre 2021 FaceliftScore: 8 / 10“The impressive solidity of Macan residuals has long offset high pricing, although the standard car does look expensive considering both its humble engine and not especially generous standard specification – even a reversing camera remains an extra-cost option.”
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Model reviewed: 2.9-litre petrol automatic GTSScore: 9 / 10“Even if you take issue with the price, or with the performance SUV as a concept, it’s hard not to be impressed with the Porsche Macan GTS.”
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Model reviewed: TurboScore: 8 / 10“Yes all Macans have turbo engines, but like the new electrically-powered Taycan, the big ‘T’ turbo badge now denotes a level of performance rather than any under bonnet shenanigans.”
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Model reviewed: Macan SScore: 8 / 10“The Macan S has the very broad power band so common amongst modern multicylinder turbo petrol motors, so it feels brisk in any of its lower intermediate gears, and from almost any speed.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrolScore: 8 / 10“In the absence of a diesel option, and weedy though it might look on paper, the 2.0-litre engine in the base Macan provides a credible, interesting and capable alternative.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 2021 Macan GTSScore: 8 / 10“It’s even better value than the old Turbo. Objectively it’s a fast thing. But the AMG CL63 sounds like thunder and the Alfa Stelvio feels a bit more fun. But then again, the X3 M rides poorly and is very very expensive.”
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Model reviewed: TurboScore: 10 / 10“And what they do get is a genuinely fast, comfortable, physics-bending, fruity-sounding, five-person carrying, luggage-fitting, do-anything kinda car. And there really aren’t many of those around.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automaticScore: 8 / 10“On the one hand, deep down, the Macan’s related to an Audi Q5 and now you’re most likely to buy it with a 2.0-litre engine. On the other, its dynamic abilities are way beyond your expectations of an SUV. Add in the badge, the refinement, the comfort, the top-notch interior, and with good reason it’ll continue to be Porsche’s best-selling model.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic SScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Macan S gets four stars here on the basis of what I imagine it would be like on the standard 18-inch wheels. On 20-inch wheels, it barely qualifies for two.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Macan looks great, drives fantastically for an SUV and is even quite capable off-road”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 9 / 10“The Porsche Macan is a practical, roomy SUV that’s also quick and fun-to-drive. A smart-looking infotainment screen is standard, but basic models look plasticky inside.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic S“The Porsche Macan S is rapid, handles with a poise and entertainment that an SUV really shouldn’t be capable of and costs less than £50,000.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: Macan TurboScore: 8 / 10“A rocket ship of a crossover, she goes like stink, but you’ll be paying big-time for the pleasure” (Chris Evans)
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic S“If you hate that computer-style scrolling through endless options, you’ll love this car. It has buttons. Lots of pushbuttons. You just know this is a real engineer’s car.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Rivals have caught up, but the Porsche Macan remains an engaging and appealing sports SUV”
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Model reviewed: 2.9-litre petrol V6 automatic GTSScore: 8 / 10“Porsche’s mid-sized Macan GTS remains the most impressive SUV to drive with a tad more polish and tech”
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Model reviewed: TurboScore: 7 / 10“All the usual Macan virtues, but no longer the best performance SUV to drive”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 10 / 10“The Porsche Macan is the best-handling SUV money can buy. It might be pricier than rivals, but if you like driving and your budget stretches far enough it is very easy to recommend.”
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“The Porsche Macan remains a well designed and immensely capable high-performance crossover – and one that’s comfortable and practical, too.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Porsche Macan is a sports car in an SUV suit. It’s starting to show its age, despite a recent facelift, but is still the driver’s choice.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.4 / 10“Owning a Porsche Macan will be a special thing for most buyers, such is its breadth of talent. However, it’ll also satisfy owners as a genuinely talented family car with good interior space, a quality feel and big boot.”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: Range overview“The Porsche Macan consistently defies the laws of physics, to take it beyond the boundaries of any other SUV”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic GTSScore: 8 / 10“An SUV that thinks it’s a sports car”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: GTSScore: 8 / 10“Not cheap, nor economical, and the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the drivetrain and suspension might put a few off, but this family SUV is a proper sporting machine with great dynamics and decent feedback, along with room for four and some luggage. It seems well built and it also looks terrific.”
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Score: 8 / 10“The second generation Macan is lightly refreshed rather than entirely transformed. This base model is neither fast nor a substitute for the deleted diesel model, but is likeable and capable nonetheless.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“For stunning breadth of ability underlined by sporting nous, no small SUV gets close”
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Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic GTS“There’s something oddly appealing about the Porsche Macan GTS’s defiantly sporting bent, Alcantara and all. We shouldn’t really like it, but we rather do.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 10 / 10“Above all, sports SUVs have to be fast and fun, and the Porsche Macan absolutely delivers. However, it’s also a great all-rounder: luxurious, refined and comfortable.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“A dynamic masterclass, the Macan is a very desirable SUV indeed. It drives, stops and corners with an agility difficult to fathom in a fairly large 4×4. It’s also reasonably practical, despite only adequate rear passenger space.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The Porsche Macan was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2020 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Porsche Macan has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming later in the year.

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Pass

Date: 2019

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Porsche Macan has received

2020

What Car? Awards – Best Sports SUV

2014

Auto Express Awards – Best Compact SUV

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