2023 Porsche Macan Review: Unveiling the Next-Level Performance and Luxury

2023 Porsche Macan
Starting at $58.950

Highs Joyful driving demeanor, perky turbocharged engines, uniquely Porsche exterior design.
Lows Base interior accoutrements are too basic, rear seat isn't very spacious, doesn't haul as much cargo as some rivals.
Verdict The Macan is one of our favorite SUVs mainly because it adheres to Porsche's sporting ethos while providing extra space for passengers and gear.

Overview
Porsche's SUV lineup began with the mid-size Cayenne, but the compact Macan delivers a heartier helping of the brand's sporting ethos while still offering more space for people and cargo than a sports car. The Macan's snappy shifts and exciting ride earned it a place on our list of 10Best Trucks and SUVs for 2023. A turbocharged four-cylinder is standard, but the S model is equipped with a significantly more powerful twin-turbo V-6 engine. The high-performance GTS trim is even more powerful, but we review that one separately. Handling is crisp, and all Macan models provide a joyful driving demeanor that even the most hardened SUV detractors will appreciate. This is why it's one of our favorite crossovers. Rivals such as the BMW X3 or Genesis GV70 offer more luxury equipment as standard, but the Macan stands alone as an upscale, compact SUV that satisfies its driver first and fulfills its other missions second.

What's New for 2023?

Porsche has added a Macan T trim to the lineup which features an adaptive suspension system as well as the brand's popular Sport Chrono package, which includes a set of driving modes and a launch-control feature. The Macan T is powered by the base Macan's 261-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine; all-wheel drive is standard as on the rest of the lineup.

Pricing and Which One to Buy
Given the Macan's athletic character, we'd skip the base model and go straight for the V-6-powered S, which brings a meaningful bump in performance. Standard features include a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10-speaker audio system, and LED headlights. We'd also splurge a little for the Premium package for its heated front and rear seats, adaptive headlights, and an upgraded 14-speaker audio system. The Sport Chrono pack has our attention, too, for its driver-adjustable drive modes and launch-control feature.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
With the base turbo four-cylinder, the Macan bounds to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. It feels sprightly around town, but speed freaks will want to upgrade to the twin-turbo V-6–powered S model. At our test track, the Macan S was only a few seconds behind the more powerful GTS with a 3.8-second zero-to-60-mph time. The Macan S is significantly quicker than the times posted by the Audi SQ5 and Jaguar F-Pace S. An SUV probably doesn't need to launch off the line as quickly as that, but we sure appreciate it. Quickness is important in a crossover with sporting intentions, but we wouldn't be nearly as impressed with the Macan if it weren't for its all-around competence on the road. It feels remarkably like a sports sedan. The ride is wonderfully smooth and carefully controlled, and it's rare for a jolt from the pavement to make itself known to the driver. The steering is a tad lighter than it is in Porsche's sports cars, but it's still super accurate and pleasantly tactile.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The most efficient Macan, according to the EPA, is the base model with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which is rated for 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The Macan S, which is powered by the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6, is rated for 17 mpg city and 23-mpg highway. On our 75-mph real-world highway fuel-economy loop, the Macan S averaged 26 mpg, bettering its highway figure by 3 mpg. For more information about the Macan's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

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