It’s been a long, long - long - time since Porsche was simply the 911 company. The Cayenne put an end to that, and so did the Taycan, both of which have comprehensively out-sold that icon of German performance in Australia this year.
But if you’re looking for the model that really matters to Porsche in the modern era, it’s this one, the just-updated Macan, which outsells its nearest sibling by a factor of two to one in this market.
So yes, it’s important to Porsche. Which is why a heap of work has been done here to make this updated version more powerful and tech-savvy. There are new engines, new equipment and more performance, as well as an updated new look.
So can Porsche still Porsche-ify an SUV? Let's find out.
Porsche Macan 2022:
| Engine Type | Turbo 4, 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 9.3L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $85,030 - $97,680 |
Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?
7 / 10
The bad news? There are price increases across the range here, with the most significant jump reserved for the Macan GTS model. The method to Porsche’s madness here, though, is that with no flagship Turbo model this time around, the GTS has been tuned up (and priced up) to fill that top-of-tree void.
The new Macan range now spans the entry-level Macan, which has increased by $500 to $84,500, the mid-spec Macan S, which has increased by $5000 to $105,800, and the top-spec GTS, which has increased by a very substantial $17,500 to $129,800.
The Macan opens proceedings with 19-inch alloy wheels, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless entry, rear privacy glass, push-button start, Apple CarPlay support (but no Android Auto) via a 10.9 inch central screen, wireless charging and a gloss-black interior trim.
The Macan S adds a premium Bose surround-sound system, 20-inch alloys, a bigger engine and sportier suspension, while the GTS then adds 21-inch RS Spyder alloys, sports seats, the most power and the most impressive performance kit, including air suspension.
Is there anything interesting about its design?
8 / 10
There’s a freshened-up new look right across the Macan range, though it definitely falls into the realm of evolution over revolution.
The changes are most noticeable at the front, where a new black bar splits the front-end, running from headlight to headlight, with the effect looking more aggressive on the S and GTS models than it does on the base Macan.
The lights are LEDs, as are the daytime running lights, and there’s no doubt this new Macan looks a little sharper, and a little angrier, than the model before it.
But perhaps the biggest changes are in the cabin, with the interior of the new Macan pretty extensively updated. The newly designed centre console now uses touch-sensitive surfaces in place of conventional switches on the centre console, making the cabin look a little less cluttered.
But... it still doesn't look all that modern. In a world in which some car makers are shooting for pared-back minimalism, the Macan's interior still feels a little busy, and the gear selector (and the materials that surround it) feel a little like yesteryear, too.
How practical is the space inside?
7 / 10
Arguably the second-most practical Porsche on offer, the Macan measures 4726mm in length, 1927mm in width and 1621mm in height.
That's not massive, and nor is the boot space on offer, with between 453L and 488L on offer with the seats in place, or between 1468L and 1503L with the seats folded flat. The Mercedes GLC, as a point of reference, serves up 550L of space.
But it is a tall-opening and usable boot area, and the rear seat - though not massive - can fit four adults in comfort, even if the raised tunnel and protruding air vents would pretty much rule out carrying five full-size humans. I'm 175cm, and sitting behind my own driving position, I had enough headroom and legroom without feeling cramped.
The cupholder count sits at four (including the two in the pull-down armrest that can divide the rear sear), and there's bottle holders in each of the doors, too.
You'll find an ISOFIX attachment point in each rear window seat, and backseat riders can also make use of rear-facing air vents, though without temperature controls.
What are the key stats for the engine and transmission?
8 / 10
You get what you pay for, of course, and that starts with the base-model Macan, which gets the only four-cylinder engine on offer here – a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol that will produce 195kW and 400Nm, and deliver a sprint to 100km/h in 6.2secs.
Step up the S and GTS, though, and you get a cracking 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6. It's a peach, this engine, and one that spits out a different power level depending on which of the sportier models you spring for.
In Macan S guise, expect 280kW, 520Nm and a 0-100km/h dash of just 4.6secs. In the GTS, those numbers increase to 324kW and 550Nm, dropping your sprint to just 4.3 seconds.
All engines pair with Porsche's Very Good PDK seven-speed automatic and AWD.
How much fuel does it consume?
7 / 10
Every Porsche Macan is on the thirsty side, with the base model requiring 9.3L/100km on the combined cycle, while the S and GTS increase those numbers to 10.2 and 10.3 litres respectively.
The entire Macan range is fitted with a 75 litre fuel tank.
Warranty & Safety Rating
What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating?
6 / 10
Let’s get the big one out of the way. AEB is still an optional extra, available as part of the Active Cruise Control option pack. And that’s a head-scratcher for a car aimed at families.
It will no doubt be standard fare when a new Macan arrives, as it is on newer Porsche models, but for now, you’ll either miss out, or be asked to pay for it.
What you do get, though, is multi-collision braking, six airbags, a surround-view reversing camera and parking sensors, Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning and standard cruise control.
It’s worth pointing out here that the Porsche Macan is technically unrated as far as crash testing goes. It was last tested in 2014 by EuroNCAP, but that body says that rating has since expired.
What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered?
7 / 10
The Macan is covered by Porsche’s three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and demands servicing every 12 months or 15000kms. There’s no capped-price servicing. All of which is now off the pace in Australia.
What's it like to drive?
9 / 10
It might not be the newest SUV in the stable, but the Macan still achieves something few others can manage, and that is a pretty sublime blend of sportiness and grip, without ever feeling overly harsh and brittle.
My pick of the bunch here is the S model, which serves up plenty of sportiness, but forgoes the eye-watering price jump attached to the GTS.
It's the sweet spot in the range, no doubt. Because the best thing about an SUV this size, and this Macan S in particular, is the fact that it behaves much more like a hot hatch than a SUV, without any of the side-to-side rocking you might expect from a taller vehicle when you're pushing through corners.
Our several-hour test route took in some of the great driving roads in Sydney’s north, which are also a little shoddily patched in places, and the Macan S just soaked it all up, with no mid-corner weirdness or suspension surprises, instead just flowing through bends.
There’s also a seriously addictive sporty undertone to the Macan S, which is enough to make you forget - if only for a moment - that you’re all grown up and have made a sensible SUV vehicle choice.
Put it into Sport or Sport + and there’s a really bass-heavy burble to the exhaust, a heft to the steering and a responsiveness to the accelerator. If it was me, I’d be leaving it glued in sport at all times.
It was always impressive, the Macan. And to be honest, this new one is more of the same, just better.
Still, if there's a weak point in the Macan family you'll find it in the base model.
I don't want to sound overly harsh, given I'd just stepped from the GTS and into the four-cylinder model - which is not something most owners would do - but I found the entry-level Macan isn't just less powerful, but also far less sporty, with more body sway, less assured suspension and just a more doughy personality that would be fine in the city, but less so on your favourite twisting road.
Verdict
It might be about to be replaced (a new one is expected in around 2023), but the Macan remains a super-solid offering, and a super-sport one, too, should you opt for the S or GTS trims.
For my money, though, the S is all the Macan you need. It gets the best engine, plenty of performance, and most of the cleverest sporting equipment, only without the eye-watering price of the GTS model.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
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