2018 Porsche Macan

The 2018 Porsche Macan has 5 trim levels and a different engine for each. The base engine generates 252 horsepower, while the top engine skyrockets to 440 ponies. All-wheel-drive comes standard along with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base price is $ 47,000, which is quite high compared to the class average, making Macan the most expensive compact SUV on the market.

The 2018 Porsche Macan is available in 5 trim levels: the base, S, GTS, Turbo, and Turbo with Performance Package. An All-Wheel Drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard across the trims.

Trims	Macan	Macan S	Macan GTS	Macan Turbo	Macan Turbo With Performance
MSRP	$ 47,800	$ 55,400	$ 68,900	$ 77,200	$ 87,700
Features	18-inch Macan wheels Four-piston aluminum monobloc fixed calipers at the front, single-piston floating calipers at the rear. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) active all-wheel drive. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Porsche Communication Management (PCM). SPORT button.	All Features of Macan, plus: 18-inch Macan S wheels. Six-piston aluminum monobloc fixed calipers at the front, single-piston floating calipers at the rear.	All features of Macan S, plus: 20-inch RS Spyder Design wheels in Black Satin. Air Suspension incl. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Bi-Xenon headlights in black including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).	All features of GTS, plus: 19-inch Macan Turbo wheels	All features of Turbo, plus: Sport exhaust system with sport tailpipes.

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Although even the base trim comes equipped with a decent amount of standard features and moving higher up the trim adds even more features, but to truly make Macan your own you’ll have to go through Macan’s extensive options list. The options list brings Macan’s top trim’s features as add-ons to the base trims, as well as adds countless trim, color, and material customization choices.

The Macan gets fancier as you move up the trim levels, but it also gets expensive. While the base level starts at $48,000, the top level starts at $ 87,000. And that price is without any customization! Keeping the performance to price ratio in mind, the Macan S seems like a nice buy. It has more power and capability than most would ever need, while still being docile enough for everyday drives. It also has access to a long list of options out of which the Premium Package Plus best suits the Macan S.

“All Macans use a 7-speed PDK automatic transmission and are all-wheel drive. For better fuel efficiency, they have an auto start/stop system that switches off the engine at traffic stops. Start-ups can be abrupt, and thankfully the system is defeatable” – Kelley Blue Books

Engine and Transmission

The Macan uses five different engines for the different trim levels. The base model is the first Macan ever to use a 4 cylinder engine. Now, this engine may look underpowered on paper, but it has power enough to propel Macan from 0 – 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds.

All other models use a V6. The S and GTS models use a 3-liter twin-turbocharged V6, and the Turbo and Turbo with Performance Package use a larger 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6. All engines are teamed with an AWD drivetrain and a 7-speed PDK automatic transmission. The following table compares the base Macan’s engine with the base engines of other competitors:

Model	Porsche Macan	Jaguar F-Pace	Audi Q5	Mercedes GLC 300
MSRP	$ 47,800	$ 42,065	$ 41,500	$ 40,050
Engine	2.0 Liter Turbocharged Inline 4	2.0 Liter Turbocharged Inline 4	2.0 Liter TFSI Inline 4	2.0 Liter turbo Inline 4
Transmission	7 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic	7 Speed Dual Clutch Automatic	9 Speed G-Tronic Automatic
Power	252 hp @ 5000 rpm	247 hp @ 5500 rpm	252 hp @ 5000 rpm	241 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	273 ft-lbs. @ 1600 rpm	269 lb-ft @ 1,200 rpm	273 ft-lbs. @ 1600 rpm	273 ft-lbs. @ 1300 rpm

The Macan is more sports car than an SUV, so it’s no surprise that each engine matches or bests the acceleration and power of almost every class rival. The Q5 matches Macan’s base engine’s power, but moving to higher engine options puts Macan in the lead.

With great power, comes great CO₂ emissions. Although Macan delivers more power than most competitors, this is not a good news for Mother Nature. In a year, the Macan emits around 8 tons of CO₂ at 15k miles/year.

Acceleration

The Macan has a different engine for each one of its trim levels, and each engine delivers an acceleration and power that suits Porsche’s persona. All engines are mated to Porsche’s 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission called Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) which delivers quick and smooth shifts.

Model	Porsche Macan	Jaguar F-Pace	Audi Q5	Mercedes GLC 300
0-60 MPH	6.3 sec	6.4 sec	5.9 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter mile	13.4 sec @ 99.1 mph	13.8 sec @ 99.6 mph	13.5 sec @ 94.6 mph	15.2 sec @ 89.6 mph
Engine	2.0 Liter Turbocharged Inline 4	2.0 Liter Turbocharged Inline 4	2.0 Liter TFSI Inline 4	2.0 Liter turbo Inline 4

No matter which engine you choose, the Macan would be a cut above the rest in terms of performance and agility. The base model goes from zero to sixty in 6.3 seconds, while the top engine crosses the 60 mph mark in just 4.4 seconds. The Audi Q5 is quicker than the base engine of Macan, but the higher engines blow away the competition with their immense power. This performance comes at a price, though. Along with being the most powerful and agile compact SUV, Macan is also the thirstiest, putting up some of the worst numbers when it comes to fuel economy.

“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” – Edmunds

Ride and Handling

The Macan may look like an SUV, but it moves like a sports car. The 2018 Porsche Macan’s drivability and handling are at par with its quickness. The steering is sharp and handles well even at tight corners. The steering feedback is better than other SUVs, but still, a bit more driver feedback would enhance the driving experience a lot.

Each model offers a sports mode to further increase the driving experience. There is also an option of available air suspension to handle rough roads. Macan is no off-roader, but it can still handle small patches of rough terrains.

“You’d expect a Porsche to be athletic, and the Macan won’t disappoint. The steering is sharp, and its handling rivals that of some sports cars. Each model features a sport mode that further improves throttle response and handling, and there’s an available air suspension” – US News

Braking

Although the Macan delivers impressive acceleration and picks up, it struggles to come back to a halt. The brake pedal feels light and soft for a vehicle this size. Even All-season tires didn’t have enough traction to improve its panic brake abilities.

Model	Porsche Macan	Jaguar F-Pace	Audi Q5	Mercedes GLC 300
Brake pads front (in)	13.6	12.8	13.3	13.5
Brake pads Rear (in)	13.0	12.8	13.0	12.6
Curb weight (lbs)	3902	3880	4045	3891
60-0 MPH	120 ft	121 ft	112 ft	112 ft

Weighing at just over 3,900 pounds, the base Macan is also the lightest Macan ever. But even with a lighter weight and brake pads that are larger than the competitors’, Macan takes 120 feet to go from 60 mph to standstill. Compared to the likes of Q5 and GLC 300, the Macan’s braking abilities seem below average for its class.

Towing Capacity

Model	Porsche Macan	Jaguar F-Pace	Audi Q5	Mercedes GLC 300
Towing Capacity (lbs.)	4,409	5,290	4,400	3,500

When the 2018 Porsche Macan is equipped with the optional Towing package, it gets a trailer receiver without tow ball that tops out at 4,409 pounds of braked trailer weight. Although these numbers aren’t jaw-dropping, and rivals like the Jaguar F-Pace are much better at towing, a 4,409 pounds of towing capacity is exceptional when you compare it to other Porsches.

The towing package adds a trailer receiver but does not add a trailer brake controller. If you want to add this much-needed feature to your Porsche, there are always aftermarket options.

“ Gas mileage is the Macan’s Achilles’ heel (at least for those who care about such things). Four-cylinder models get just 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, while V6 models get 17 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway. Both engines are less fuel-efficient than most class rivals ” – US News

The fuel economy is not one of Macan’s strong suits. While it delivers great acceleration and luxury, it lags behind the competition in terms of mileage. The class average seems to hover near the 24 mpg combined, but the 2018 Porsche Macan settles for 22. Fuel economy may not be a deciding factor for someone who can actually afford a Porsche, but still, Macan is one thirsty beast!

Model	Porsche Macan	Jaguar F-Pace	Audi Q5	Mercedes GLC 300
mpg city	20	22	23	22
mpg highway	25	27	27	28
mpg combined	22	24	25	24

Porsche did try to improve the fuel economy by equipping Macan’s front grille with a shutter door. The door closes during low speeds when cooling requirements are low to improve Macan’s aerodynamics. At higher speeds, the door opens to cool down the engine. This is done to improve the fuel economy, we can only imagine how disappointing the numbers would have been if Porsche hadn’t added this advantage!

“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” – Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

It comes with no surprise that the most expensive compact SUV in the market has the most comfortable and high quality interior. The 2018 Porsche Macan may be the cheapest vehicle in the Porsche arsenal, but in no way did they compromise with quality. The aluminum borders and dynamic layout of controls give the interior a clean finish. Even the base trim is full of top notch materials.

The seats are well bolstered to stand Macan’s high speeds. The instrumentation is clear and simple, but like Porsche’s sports cars (that Macan essentially is) the rev counter is in the center. Another thing you would have to get used to is the Porsche’s tradition of having the key to the left of the steering wheel.

Model	Porsche Macan	Jaguar F-Pace	Audi Q5	Mercedes GLC 300
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front – Head/Shoulder/Leg (in.)	39.4/-/33.1	37.8/57.7/40.3	41.7/57.7/41.0	41.9/57.3/40.8
Second – Head/Shoulder/Leg (In.)	36.3/-/32.3	37.5/55.8/37.2	39.3/56.5/37.8	38.5/56.5/37.3

The 2018 Porsche Macan can accommodate 5 people. Leather and Alcantara front seats are standard in all trims. The driving position is slightly elevated, which improves the visibility which is a bit diminished by the thick roof pillars. The front seats are 8 way power adjustable and include thick bolsters to offer excellent support. If you still want more, 14 and 18 way adjustable seats are available, too.

The second row feels a bit tight. It is perfect for two mid-size adults or three children. The headroom is no problem thanks to Porsche’s coupe-like roof flow. The problem for the taller passengers in the backseat would be the legroom. Porsche reduced their wheelbase by 3.5 inches in 2015, and since then it seems like legroom in the backseat is what paid the price.

Interior Features

The standard features include:

• Ambient lighting
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Rearview camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane departure warning

Apart from these, the optional features include:

• Wi-Fi hot spot
• Apple CarPlay
• Adaptive cruise control with full stop-start functionality
• Dynamic headlights (which swivel to provide better lighting around corners)
• Surround-view camera
• Lane keep assist
• Lane change assist.

Infotainment

“Although there are many buttons, it doesn’t take long to acclimate to them thanks to a logical layout. The new PCM touchscreen interface for 2017 represents a welcome improvement over its predecessor, with better responses, cleaner graphics and easier-to-use menus. You can also pinch, zoom and swipe as on a smartphone” – Edmunds

At first glance, the vast number of buttons surrounding the touchscreen appear confusing, but a few minutes with the system is all that it takes to become familiar with their operation. The 7-inch touch screen is responsive and receives a makeover for the 2018 and now supports multi-touch. Although Macan offers Apple CarPlay for easy connectivity with iPhones, Android users would have to settle for classic connection options as Android Auto is not available.

The standard system includes:

• Porsche Communication Management interface
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Two USB ports
• 11 GB of internal jukebox storage
• Two SD card slots
• Satellite radio
• HD Radio
• Ten speakers

For those who appreciate the quality of music a bit more than others have the option of upgrading to:

• Burmester or Bose surround sound system
• Six-disc CD/DVD changer
• Rear-seat entertainment system

Cargo

“Second-row legroom is stingy, however, as is cargo space. The Macan’s 17.7-cubic-foot cargo floor is small for the class, although it expands to 53 cubic feet by dropping the 40/20/40-split/folding 2nd-row seatbacks” – Kelley Blue Books

There was a lot of thought that went into redesigning the 2018 Porsche Macan inside and out. Sadly, cargo space was neglected. With the rear seats up, Macan only offers 17 cubic feet of storage, which is too low for its class. Folding the 40/20/40 split rear seats increases the space to 53 cubic feet. It’s not less but other rivals do much better here.

Model	Porsche Macan	Jaguar F-Pace	Audi Q5	Mercedes GLC 300
Volume (ft.cube)(w/Rear seats fold)	53.0	64.0	57.3	57.0
Loading Capacity (lbs.)	14,88	900	13,44	16,00
Towing Capacity (lbs.)	44,09	52,91	44,00	35,00

The split-folding rear seats allow you to fold down just a section for extra cargo room while still seating more than one passenger. The seats, however, don’t lie completely flat. The cargo area has tie-down loops, which is a nice addition, and they easily lie flat when not in use.

The best way to describe how the 2018 Porsche Macan looks would be to imagine Porsche Cayenne’s and Panamera’s teenage kid. Macan’s tapered nose, low roofline, and fast backlight are quite reminiscent of the bigger Cayenne and Panamera. The Porsche is an agile and powerful beast, and it has the butchy and bold looks to show for it.

Model	Porsche Macan	Jaguar F-Pace	Audi Q5	Mercedes GLC 300
curb weight(lbs)	3,902	3880	4,045	3891
Lenght(in)	184.9	186.3	183.6	183.3
Width(in)(w/o mirror)	75.7	81.5	74.5	74.4
Height(in)	63.9	65.0	65.3	64.5
Ground clearance(in)	7.8	8.4	8.2	8.3
Wheel base(in)	110.5	113.2	111.0	113.1
Track width(in) F/R	65.2/65.0	64.6/65.1	63.6/63.3	63.9/63.7

The GTS and Turbo trims have a unique and aggressive front fascia. The matte-black finish on the side blades of GTS along with a more dynamic color scheme and a 10 mm lesser ground clearance add to its sportier look. A Front spoiler lip and squared off quad exhaust outlets are the standout features of the Macan Turbo.

Exterior Features

The standard headlights on all trims boast bi-xenon headlights and fog lights. Another great feature is the small lift gate-release button hidden on the rear windshield wiper. This obviates the need for a large handle in the rear door, which would be an eyesore in the 2018 Porsche Macan’s great design.

The standard headlights on all trims boast bi-xenon headlights and fog lights. Another great feature is the small lift gate-release button hidden on the rear windshield wiper. This obviates the need for a large handle in the rear door, which would be an eyesore in the 2018 Porsche Macan’s great design.

Some other standard features include:

• power-folding side mirrors
• power-operated liftgate
• 18-inch wheels
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers and tinted and thermally insulated glass in Macan S
• 20-inch wheels, suspension setting and other performance upgrades in Macan GTS

“Standard equipment includes a rear camera, parking sensors, forward collision warning, and automatic braking. Optional features include a crisp surround-view system, lane departure intervention, and adaptive cruise. The Q7's aids work well without intrusive interference during daily driving” – Edmunds

The 2018 Porsche Macan has not yet been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Although it is a safe bet based on the previous Macans’ crash tests and the added safety features this year that the 2018 Porsche Macan will do equally well, if not better.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Safety Ratings
Moderate Overlap Front Test	Good
Side Impact Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection	Good
Roof Strength Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test	Good

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Ratings
Overall	5 Star
Frontal Crash	4 Star
Side Crash	5 Star
Rollover	4 Star

The standard safety features available in 2018 Porsche Macan include:

• A rearview camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane departure warning system

Recommended available features include

• Adaptive cruise control with full stop-start functionality
• Dynamic headlights (which swivel to provide better lighting around corners)
• A surround-view camera
• Lane keep assist
• Lane change assist.

The total standard and available safety features are impressive, yet not as impressive as the features of rivals like Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Volvo XC60, whose safety matches their luxury.

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Porsche Macan vs Jaguar F-Pace

The Jaguar F-Pace is at par with the Macan when it comes to redefining an SUV’s capabilities. Driving an F-Pace instills confidence in the driver thanks to its gripping drive. The F-Pace also has an array of powerful engine options, but the Macan’s engines still outperform them. F-Pace is good, but Macan is simply better.

But F-Pace’s Ace in the hole is its diesel engine. This is unique for a compact SUV. A diesel engine means a better fuel economy, which puts Macan’s already bad economy to further shame. Even the interiors of F-Pace are a bit more upscale and spacious than Macan. Overall, Porsche might be a better performer, but the F-Pace is a better alternative once the cost is taken into consideration.

Porsche Macan vs Audi Q5

It’s no surprise that the Porsche Macan and Audi Q5 are the closest rivals, as both are the progenies of Volkswagen. While the Macan is more powerful and customizable, the Q5 has more cargo space and more tech features.

Although the Macan beats Q5 in terms of power and acceleration, Q5 doesn’t lag as far behind as other competitors do. Another point that tips the scale in Q5’s favor is its cost. The Q5 is almost $ 6,300 cheaper than the Macan. So as long as your priority is getting the most powerful and fun to drive SUV, go for the Macan. But if you are ready to compromise just the tiniest bit with power for an overall better car, then Audi Q5 is right for you.

Porsche Macan vs Mercedes Benz GLC 300

The Mercedes-Benz GLC lacks Macan’s agility but provides impressive comfort at a much lower price. the extruding look of the Macan proves to be deceiving as, its interior is not so roomy, whereas the GLC 300 is quite roomier than the Macan though its exterior dimensions are lesser than the Macan.

Still, at the end of the day, power and performance are what matters for the price paid. So spending a few extra bucks for a better performance and power makes the 2018 Porsche Macan, a better choice if one can compromise with its less roomy space and cargo.

Style, luxury, comfort, and hair-raising speed; these are the words that begin to define what the 2018 Porsche Macan is all about. It delivers an outstanding performance which is equally matched by its lavish interiors. A few shortcomings, like the absence of Android Auto or marginally few safety features, can be overlooked there are only a few who can keep up with Macan’s agility and interior quality.

The Macan is Porsche’s least expensive car and could be a ticket into this posh brand for many. Don’t let this fool you about its price, though. The Macan is the most expensive compact SUV on the market. Being almost $ 8,500 above the class average, a fully loaded Macan can reach up to $ 90,000! Fortunately, there are cheaper yet worthy alternatives in the market.

Porsche’s corporate cousin, the Audi Q5, is a great alternative if you can compromise with speed and power. Both provide exceptional interior quality, but the Q5 takes the lead in the cargo space and safety feature department.