Our verdict | |
The Macan is the class benchmark when it comes to performance. It has nimble handling, a powerful engine lineup and an overall vibe that's more sports car than luxury SUV. Unfortunately, the Macan is expensive — especially when you load it up with Porsche's seemingly endless list of options — and lacking in cargo space. | |
How does the Macan drive? | |
We tested the Macan S. Acceleration is a little sluggish from a dead stop (switching to the Sport drive mode fixes this), but it quickly picks up steam once you're rolling. There's plenty of power for merging or passing on a highway. If you really want to show off, use the launch control features. In Edmunds testing, our Macan ripped from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. That's one of the quicker times in the small luxury SUV class and essentially a match for the BMW X3 M40i or Mercedes-Benz GLC 43. Braking and handling are equally impressive. The Macan is light and nimble thanks to sharp and responsive steering and a suspension that keeps body roll in check. There's plenty of traction from the sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, too. The only downside is some clumsy transmission shifting at parking lot speeds. | |
How comfortable is the Macan? | |
The Macan has one of the firmest ride qualities in its class. You'll feel bumps and imperfections in the road, but we wouldn't call it harsh or uncomfortable. On the highway, the Macan is quiet, with just a mild growl from the turbocharged V6. Our test Macan had the 14-way adjustable front seats. They provide suitable bolstering and lumbar support without feeling confining. Porsche offers even sportier seats for those who prefer a little more support for aggressive driving. The climate control system works well enough, but the vents don't have a wide range of adjustment and some of the controls are difficult to see while driving. | |
How’s the interior? | |
You may find the seating position a bit low; behind the wheel it can seem like you're driving a sport sedan rather than a typical SUV. But the steering wheel and pedals are well placed and there's plenty of adjustment to help drivers of almost any size get comfortable. Visibility from the driver's seat is good, too. This is an easy SUV to park and maneuver. The rest of the interior isn't quite as well executed. The center stack is full of buttons. That's great if you prefer fixed controls to a touchscreen. But the aesthetic is decidedly busy, and the steering wheel and shifter will block your view of some buttons. Another demerit is the lack of interior space. There's plenty of front head- and legroom, but the back seat is tight for the class. The small door openings also make it a bit of a squeeze to get in and out. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The Macan has the latest generation of Porsche's infotainment system. It's one of the best around, with a clear, easy-to-navigate interface and customizable tiles on the home screen. The voice controls work well, too. The system understands natural language and can set destinations in the navigation system or adjust the radio and media controls. Apple CarPlay is available, but Porsche doesn't offer Android Auto. Our test Macan had four USB-C ports, two for each row. Porsche offers a decent number of advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and a surround-view camera. You'll have to pay for them, though, since most are optional extras. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The Macan's 17.6-cubic-foot rear cargo area is one of the smallest in the class. You'll also have trouble fitting tall objects back there because of the sloping rear window. The 40/20/40-split rear seats do fold flat, and the cargo floor is relatively low, which means it's easier to load. Storage up front is lacking. The cupholders are small, as is the center console. There's no good place to put a phone. Got small kids? The rear seat isn't as roomy as those in other small SUVs, but it's still large enough to accommodate a rear-facing child safety seat (as long as you don't have the front seats slid back too much). There are Isofix anchors on the outboard seats that are easily found beneath plastic covers. Porsche says the Macan can tow up to 4,409 pounds when properly equipped, which is one of the highest ratings in the class. | |
How’s the fuel economy? | |
The Macan is about average when it comes to fuel efficiency. A base four-cylinder Macan gets 21 mpg combined (19 city/23 highway) according to the EPA, which is on the low end for base models. All other Macans are powered by some form of turbocharged V6, with the top-tier Turbo achieving a relatively respectable 19 mpg combined (17 city, 22 highway). We tested the Macan S, which has an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined (18 city/23 highway). It returned 22.6 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route. That's about what we expected, indicating the EPA's estimates should be realistic. | |
Is the Macan a good value? | |
The Macan's base price lines up well with other performance-oriented luxury SUVs. But at that price it's missing some key standard features such as keyless entry and ignition, a sunroof or driver aids like adaptive cruise control. Those can all be added, but options add up quickly and make the Macan pricey by comparison. Fit and finish is excellent, however, and even things like the click of a button or turn of a knob feel nicer than what you'll find on some other luxury vehicles. All Macans come with a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty, which is average for the class. Porsche also includes 4 years and 50,000 miles of roadside assistance as well as a year of free scheduled maintenance. | |
Wildcard | |
There's nothing in this class that's quite like the Macan. It's fun to drive in just about every situation and is more athletic and buttoned down than some sport sedans. The engines sound sporty without being overly obnoxious, and Porsche's wide range of paint and wheel options let you tailor your Macan to be conservative or bright and loud. It pulls off both fairly well and allows for a level of customization that's uniquely Porsche. There's a definite connection to other Porsche models, with just a hint of 911 and even the 918 Spyder supercar in the overall look and feel. All in a small SUV, too! | |
Crossover SUVs typically prioritize everyday usability over all else, so the idea of a performance SUV might seem like an oxymoron. However, that hasn't stopped automakers from experimenting. The 2020 Porsche Macan is perhaps the most successful of these sport-utility vehicles. When you consider its controlled ride, excellent seats, and choice of several powerful engines, it's hard to see the Macan as anything but one of the most well-rounded small SUVs available today.
At its core, the Macan is an SUV that emphasizes sportiness. Handling is superb out of the box, and the well-bolstered seats prevent passengers from slipping and sliding around in tight corners. Even better, most of the performance-enhancing add-ons — including the adaptive dampers, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and the Sport Chrono package — are available even on the base model. Just be prepared to drop some serious coin since the Macan is significantly more expensive than its rivals.
The 2020 Porsche Macan is a five-seat small luxury SUV available in four trim levels: base, S, Turbo and GTS. All come standard with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
NOTE: This video is about the 2019 Porsche Macan, but since the 2020 Porsche Macan is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
2020 Porsche Macan
2020 Porsche Cayenne
While the compact Macan can technically seat five, the back seat is tight by class standards and the cargo area is rather small. The bigger Cayenne is more passenger-friendly and has more room for gear in the back. Befitting of its larger size and greater range of powerful engines, the Cayenne is more expensive than the Macan.
The Macan and the Audi Q5 offer two very different takes on the compact SUV formula. The Q5 is tuned for comfort, with a plush ride and supportive seats, while the Macan counters with truly spirited driving and a greater breadth of customization options. As expected, the Q5 is considerably less expensive than the Macan.
Like the Macan, the BMW X3 places equal importance on comfort and performance. It handles better than its rivals and offers plenty of cargo space, and the cabin is roomy and quiet. As with others in the class, it costs much less than the Macan. Enthusiasts will appreciate the available dynamic handling package. They'll also appreciate the new X3 M, which offers up to 503 horsepower.
The Porsche Macan is a small, five-passenger SUV and one of the best arguments for accepting crossovers as performance vehicles. We've been consistently impressed with how well Porsche has translated its engaging driving dynamics into the Macan, even if it's not the most practical vehicle in the field.
The changes to the Turbo model for 2020 are indicative of larger shifts in the automotive market. Smaller engines are the future of accessible performance, thanks to both fuel economy imperatives and taxes in markets such as China that punish higher-displacement motors. In this day and age, most cars must be designed to be sold globally, and the Macan Turbo is no exception. And, hey, the more vehicles Porsche sells, the more money it will have to keep building the wild enthusiast variants we love.
The Macan competes in a crowded class, with small luxury SUVs available for every sort of buyer, from the luxurious Mercedes-Benz GLC to the family-friendly Volvo XC60 and the sporty Acura RDX. But the big-power Turbo puts the Macan in more rarefied company.
Edmunds saysThe 2020 Porsche Macan carries over largely unchanged, remaining a strong option for a sporty small luxury SUV. The big news is the updated 2020 Macan Turbo, which expands on that sporting capability. It may get a downsized motor, but power, acceleration and braking have been upgraded. We can't wait to find out how this hot crossover feels from behind the wheel.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Porsche Macan:
The least-expensive 2020 Porsche Macan is the 2020 Porsche Macan 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $50,900.
Other versions include:
