Porsche Macan Vs Jaguar F-Pace

The Porsche Macan SUV arrived in 2014 to great fanfare. Complementing the Cayenne in the German brand鈥檚 SUV range, it opened up Porsche ownership to an even wider range of buyers - but it earned its stripes on merit. The original was a peach to drive, with a premium image that meant owners loved it. There was a good choice of powertrains, too, with V6 petrol and diesel models offering differing performance. However, diesel is no more in the updated Macan line-up. Instead, the most efficient model is now this 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit. It was available on special order in the old car, but few UK buyers took up the option. With this renewed focus on petrol power, the facelifted Macan is set to be much more popular. The Porsche has always been an SUV for keen drivers, so its main competitor is clearly the Jaguar F-Pace - another premium package that focuses on petrol-powered driving enjoyment mixed with quality, practicality and equipment. This 2.0-litre car is the entry-level model in the new Macan range.

Prices start from 拢46,344, so it鈥檚 well matched to the F-Pace. However, it鈥檒l have to live up to the Jag鈥檚 new technology, too. Let鈥檚 find out how much of an improved package the Porsche is. Under the skin, the Macan still uses the same platform, so there are no huge changes here. That means the basic suspension layout remains, with double wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear. However, there are lighter but firmer springs, which are claimed to improve handling without compromising comfort. Other alterations ensure it鈥檚 even more refined. The optional Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management (PASM) function is probably worth its 拢816 cost to broaden the Macan鈥檚 ability. The 2.0-litre unit is the same basic motor as that fitted to VW鈥檚 Golf GTI Performance, with a particulate filter in the exhaust for this updated car. There鈥檚 242bhp, 370Nm of torque and a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, only here it sends power to all four wheels. There are more changes inside the Porsche - the most important of which is the new 10.9-inch infotainment screen.

It鈥檚 similar in appearance and operation to the units in the Panamera, Cayenne and the latest 911, and it鈥檚 here where the new Macan gets its largest technology update. The rest of the cabin is similar to its predecessor鈥檚, which means even in this entry-level car quality is impressive. The centre console still features a few too many buttons and switches compared with the simpler set-up in Porsche鈥檚 newer models, though. You get a good standard of basic kit, with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, DAB, 18-inch alloys, LED lights, cruise and climate control, a power tailgate and parking sensors. However, features such as a full-leather interior are extra, at 拢1,044, while heated seats cost 拢294. Both are standard on the Jag, but the Macan鈥檚 cabin quality still feels stronger than the F-Pace鈥檚. The Macan is still the best-driving car of its type, even with this smaller, less powerful engine. Its steering has a lovely weight and just the right rate of response for a car of this size and bulk.

That鈥檚 because those suspension tweaks have yielded genuinely hot hatch-bothering grip. It鈥檚 allied to the four-wheel drive, which isn鈥檛 flummoxed by slippery conditions, and which easily and evenly distributes power to where it鈥檚 needed. Traction is superb and the way the system shuffles the motive force around helps agility. It鈥檚 a Macan trait, and the Jag can鈥檛 match this car鈥檚 handling ability. On the firmest suspension setting roll is nicely contained, but the ride does take on a less composed edge. The middle mode is a better bet for sporty driving, while the default comfort setting means the Macan glides more over the road. On optional 20-inch alloys you do feel thumps and bumps, but they鈥檙e still nicely dealt with and body movement is well curtailed. It still feels more dynamic than the Jag, even if it sometimes sacrifices a little of the bigger F-Pace鈥檚 ride comfort. There should be no worries about performance. The 2.0-litre engine isn鈥檛 the most musical, but it delivers the goods.