2017 Porsche Macan reviewed

So, you’ve just got that big promotion at work and now you want to flash your extra cash on a new car. You’ve always liked the look of Porsche’s 718 Boxster but you really need space for four passengers. You’re also not yet ready for a large SUV like Porsche’s own Cayenne. What you’re really looking for is something in-between which Keeps Porsche’s sporty and luxurious character and also has enough space inside for the family, their luggage and the dog too. We’ll Porsche’s Macan but be right up your street.

First thing’s first, yes the Macan does costs a lot more to buy than many other cars of this size and that said it’s going up against some truly premium competition. It’s up against cars like the Range Rover Evoque, the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and Mercedes Benz’s GLC.

There are five flavours of Macan to choose from and the entry level option shares its 2.0 litre petrol engine with Volkswagen’s Golf GTi hot hatchback. Then there’s the Macan S which gets you a punchy 3.0 litre petrol engine that is pleasantly fast and refined. However, it does need to be revved hard to deliver its best performance. Then there’s our favourite, the Macan S diesel. Here you get a 3.0 litre diesel engine which pulls strongly from low revs while feeling relaxed and rapid and works well with the Macan’s standard 7-speed automatic gearbox. If you plan on spending a little more then there’s the Macan Turbo which is absolutely rapid offering pace more akin to a sports car than an SUV. However, this performance comes at a hefty price. The same can be said of the Macan GTS and the range topping Macan turbo performance pack.

Given the Macan’s nature you can perhaps forgive the fact that its ride is a little firm around town. However, it’s never uncomfortable and really settles down at speed giving you a pleasant experience especially on the optional air suspension. If you can, then we’d recommend upgrading to Porsche’s Active Suspension Management System or PASM for short. Opt for this and you get a button on the centre console which allows you to stiffen the Macan’s springs thus reducing body movement. There’s also another button on the centre console marked “Sport”. By pressing it the accelerator, gear change, steering and suspension systems are all turned up to level 11 and it’s in this mode that the Macan really is the best handling SUV you can buy. For all of its sportiness the Macan can actually be a relaxing cruiser too. There’s very little wind noise on the motorway and while there is some tyre roar at higher speeds it’s never overly irritating.

When you step inside the Macan you suddenly realise how low down you feel. It really does give you the feeling as though you are sitting inside a sports car. You should have no trouble getting comfortable either as you get standard electric seat adjustment while the steering wheel adjusts for reach and height. It’s just a shame that you have to go all the way up to the Turbo trim just to get an adjustable lumbar support as standard. For the rest of the range its only available as part of a four-figure Comfort pack. In terms of visibility the Macan offers a really good view out of the front and you can clearly see where everything is. The large door mirrors also aide you when looking around corners, changing lanes on the motorway or for seeing around junctions. You get front and rear parking sensors as standard which is handy as that high rear window makes it difficult to see out of the back. If you need more help with parking then a reversing camera is also on the options list. Just from looking around the interior you can really see the quality. There’s certainly no corners cut here and all of the materials on display have a luxurious touch and feel to them. You don’t need to spend a fortune on full leather upgrades either as the standard leatherette and Alcantara upholstery looks and feels great even amongst the Macan’s rivals. If we have to nit-pick then there are one or two areas we would change. For example, the CD card slot cover is a little on the flimsy side while we’re not sure that the cascade of buttons on the central console will be to everyone’s taste. Overall however, the Macan does feel every inch the premium SUV.

Every Macan gets a colour touch screen and through it you can control all of the usual audio and navigation functions. The standard equipment list includes a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB socket while all sound is sent out through an impressive eleven speakers. You do have to spend a little more for satellite navigation in anything below the Macan Turbo and you’ll always have to fork out extra for Apple Car play and Android auto connectivity which is a little stingy given that there are far cheaper SUVs which include the system as standard.

Even very tall drivers will have no trouble getting comfortable in the front of the Macan. The seats are both wide and supportive and there’s plenty of space dotted around for all of your odds and ends. The door bins are nice and large and you get two cup holders in front of the central armrest.

Those sitting in the back of the car will feel that they are getting a slightly raw deal especially if you are a larger passenger. Unfortunately, there’s not a massive amount of leg room and you’ll find it’s smaller than a lot of its rivals. Just like up front, there’s lots of places dotted around the back for your odds and ends. There’s another 12v power supply at the base, each of the door bins will take a small water bottle and the armrest contains two more cup holders.

The Macan’s boot certainly isn’t the biggest in its class but it’s usefully square. There’s easily enough room inside for a couple of suitcases or for a large load of shopping. It’s pretty clever too as you get lots of little extras like a small underfloor storage area, another 12v power supply and a recessed area with a cargo net. You also get an electric powered tailgate as standard. If you find yourself in need of more space then then rear seats split and fold. When folded away they create a flat large loading area for bulkier items.

The Macan certainly is an expensive choice and you can’t really expect any discounts from your local Porsche dealer either. In fact, like most Porsche owners you’ll want to take a good long look at the options list and decide which extras are for you. The S models may be low on the Macan’s scale but they do come with everything you’re likely to need including 18 inch alloy wheels, leatherette and Alcantara seats, cruise and climate control, parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, a touchscreen infotainment system and a powered tailgate. The Turbo gets even more kit such as PASM, lumbar support sat nav and a larger fuel tank. However, it does cost a lot more to buy.

The Porsche Macan feels every inch the prestigious SUV and while there are roomier options out there the Macan fills its brief as being a sports SUV perfectly. If you’re looking for a car of this size that’s also fun to drive then you need look no further. Start your search for new or used Porsche Macan cars for sale with DesperateSeller.co.uk today!