2018 Porsche Macan Review

We like the balance of price and performance you get in the Macan S. It has more capability than you'll likely ever need, yet it is still tame enough for daily driving. As for options, the Premium Package Plus is a good place to start since it adds a nice grouping of desirable equipment without gett...

Engine, brakes and steering work in concert, and the Macan is sized perfectly for easily getting around a city. Still substantial enough for long drives. Auto stop-start to save fuel is reasonably unobtrusive (and defeatable).

A 400-hp, twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 plus a quick-shifting transmission and good isolation make the Macan Turbo deceptively fast. Utilizing the optional launch-control feature, the Macan Turbo rockets to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

We didn't expect such a light and soft pedal action from Porsche. The brakes are still plenty capable, just oddly vague. All-season tires didn't help our panic-brake numbers; the Macan Turbo stopped from 60 mph in a longish 120 feet.

Steering response and precision are better than in direct competitors, although in truth we'd still like a little more driver feedback through the steering wheel. Excellent straight-line highway stability and road isolation.

The Macan Turbo is one of the best-handling SUVs available, even when fitted with low-grip all-season tires. Standard self-adjusting multimode shocks provide confident and poised manners, making the Macan perform like a good sport sedan.

Engine, brakes and steering work in concert, and the Macan is sized perfectly for easily getting around a city. Still substantial enough for long drives. Auto stop-start to save fuel is reasonably unobtrusive (and defeatable).

Single-button off-road mode customizes transmission, throttle and brakes for low-grip situations. A downhill assistant manages speed, and our Macan's optional air suspension increases ground clearance by 1.5 inches, for a total of 9 inches.

The Macan Turbo is more highly equipped than the S model, coming with premium seats and self-adjusting multimode suspension. For a compact SUV, comfort doesn't get much better than this.

With 18-way adaptive, heated, leather front seats (optionally ventilated), the Macan offers a high level of support and comfort. The rear seats are split 40/20/40 and are nearly as bolstered as the fronts.

The Macan Turbo comes standard with adaptive suspension dampers, and our test vehicle was outfitted with the optional air suspension, too. The air suspension can feel floaty at times but does a nice job smoothing out bumps.

With barely perceptible wind noise and a highly muffled exhaust note, the Macan Turbo is quiet even during maximum acceleration. This isolation is part of the reason it's so easy to exceed the speed limit.

Three-zone climate control is standard and works quietly and effectively. You can even set how aggressively the auto climate control system works. Though the buttons are small and fiddly, just set the temperature as you please and leave everything in auto, you won't ever have to touch it again.

Outstanding ergonomics and a low stance make the Macan feel like a perfectly tailored suit. It feels "right-sized" when you drive it. Downsides: Outward visibility is hampered a bit by thick roof pillars, and the cargo capacity is small, even for a compact SUV.

Initially intimidating, the waterfall of buttons and rocker switches is actually an ergonomic triumph. After some familiarity, the 7-inch touchscreen navigation and audio systems become intuitive. Porsche instrumentation is the best.

The Macan Turbo, especially when equipped with the optional air suspension, sits lower than most compact SUVs. Makes for fuss-free entry and exit.

With the number of adjustments you can make, you need to spend time moving the seat around so you can be really comfortable. The relationship between the steering wheel and the seat is just about perfect, but you do have to remember that, as in all Porsches, the ignition is on the left.

For a small SUV, the Macan feels pretty large inside, thanks to a low dashboard, ample-size windows and plenty of passenger room. It seems Porsche focused more on people space than luggage room.

The outward sightlines are pretty typical for small SUVs, meaning not fantastic, and there are some noticeable blind spots. Optional aids will help with this, including front/rear parking sensors, rear camera and blind-spot monitoring.

Not exactly unexpected, coming from Porsche, the Macan Turbo has an impeccable build quality. The car's construction is one of its standout features. Even the base Macan S shines brighter than any rival.

It's clear what compromises Porsche had to make to build the Macan and make sure that it stayed sporty. It doesn't carry as much cargo, nor is it as spacious on the inside, as just about all of its competitors. But there are other SUVs that satisfy that criteria.

Small-item storage is lacking, handled by modest door pockets, a glovebox and a deep, but small, center armrest bin.

Luggage space is 18 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 53 cubic feet with seats folded flat. That's limited cargo space, even for a compact SUV. Tie-down loops in the cargo area are a nice touch and lay flat when not in use.

Latch points are easily accessible in their own compartments. There are three upper anchors for flexible car-seat placement. It's a bit of a reach, but the outer two top anchors are accessible from the side doors.

Provided it's equipped with its optional tow hitch receiver, the Macan is rated to tow a braked-trailer up to 4,409 pounds. The trailer brake controller will have to be aftermarket; one is not integrated or available.

The Macan features Porsche's latest tech interface, but it isn't the most user-friendly on the market. Porsche has its own Android/iOS compatible app to help monitor and control some of the Macan's systems such as navigation and security, though accessing it requires a monthly fee.

The audio system is easy to use, and accessing memory presents and sources can be done from the head unit or steering wheel. The screen is on the small side, although it is high in resolution and responsive to swipes and taps, as well as multitouch gestures like pinching.

Apple Carplay is standard, which works relatively well once you get it connected but may take a few attempts. The native music system is easy to understand but it doesn't index music quickly nor does it always obey commands.

Underwhelming voice control. It has a difficult time responding to basic commands, and its menu structure has a steep learning curve. If you've got Siri at your disposal, use that feature instead since it's much more responsive.

To learn more about the Porsche Macan of this generation, read our updates from a full year of living with a 2015 Porsche Macan S. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy. Please note that the 2018 Porsche Macan differs from our long-term Macan S in that the infotainment sys...