2019 Porsche Macan Review

No automaker can resist the allure of SUVs, not even Porsche. If you'd said at the beginning of the 2000s that Porsche's best-selling car would be an SUV, only the savviest auto industry insiders would have nodded sagely. Everyone else would have laughed you from the room.

The Porsche Cayenne debuted a few years later as America's appetite for SUVs turned voracious, and it's widely credited with turning around the company's financial fortunes. Slicing the SUV pie finer, the 2019 Porsche Macan distills the Cayenne's qualities into a compact and dynamic size.

With its choice of high-revving turbocharged four- or six-cylinder engines, rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, quick-shifting seven-speed transmission, and a suspension calibrated more for winding roads than dirt trails, the Macan comes closer to the performance character of the automaker's lauded 911 coupe better than its larger, heavier counterpart.

For 2019, the Macan features a variety of updates to further its appeal. Inside is a new infotainment system with a larger touchscreen display and web-based navigation. The Macan S trim gets a revised V6 engine with more horsepower and low-end torque, as well as larger brakes that Porsche says also improve brake feel. The latter has been one of the Macan's few weaknesses we've discovered in our testing. New options include a heated windshield, a cabin air ionizer, and suspension and engine software upgrades that extend the Macan's power and handling limits.

Like every new Porsche, the Macan can be optioned and equipped to your heart's desire. Alas, doing so can result in a price that might even give a hedge fund manager pause. But if you want a small crossover that's a lot like a sports car, the Macan is the way to go.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Porsche Macan as one of Edmunds' Best Luxury Cars for this year.

The 2019 Porsche Macan is a five-seat small luxury SUV available in two trim levels: base and S. Both come standard with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Other variants, such as the Turbo and the GTS, are expected to arrive later in the model year or for 2020.

The base model starts with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 hp, 273 lb-ft of torque), 18-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a lane departure warning system, a power liftgate, LED headlights, automatic wipers, rear privacy glass, three-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, partial leather and simulated-suede upholstery, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and a cargo cover.

Electronic features include the Porsche Communication Management infotainment system, upgraded for 2019 with a larger 10.9-inch touchscreen interface, improved voice recognition software, internet radio and web-based navigation. Carryover features include Bluetooth, four USB ports (two front, two rear), and a 10-speaker sound system with satellite and HD radio.

The Macan S is equipped similarly, with the notable exception of a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (348 hp, 354 lb-ft), 19-inch wheels, more powerful brakes, different exterior trim types, and dual twin-pipe exhaust ports.

Options abound for both trims — bundled in packages and as stand-alone features. Highlights include the Premium package, which adds adaptive headlights, auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors, heated seats, Apple CarPlay, and a Bose surround-sound audio system. A step further is the Premium Package Plus, which adds a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, and upgraded front seats with ventilation and memory settings. The Sport Chrono package includes an analog stopwatch, launch control, and driver-selectable modes that optimize suspension and transmission settings.

Along with a dizzying array of interior and exterior trim upgrades, stand-alone options worth checking out include an adaptive air suspension, adaptive sport seats, an electronically locking rear differential, a premium Burmester audio system, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Porsche Macan Turbo (twin-turbo 3.6L V6 | 7-speed automated manual | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2015, the current Macan has received some updates, including new engine choices, a new infotainment system and revised suspension tuning. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Macan, however.