2019 Porsche Macan S Review

Toby Hagon鈥檚 2019 Porsche Macan S Review With Price, Specs, Performance, Ride And Handling, Ownership, Safety, Verdict And Score. In a nutshell: New look and new engine to a revised Macan lineup. The mid-sized SUV is still one of the sharpest in its class, although it鈥檚 starting to show its age. It鈥檚 Porsche鈥檚 most affordable model and the biggest seller in the sports car brand鈥檚 lineup, playing in the popular mid-sized luxury SUV segment. While there have been tweaks and additions since going on sale in 2014, Porsche has introduced the biggest update to the Macan since the nameplate鈥檚 inception. Mild styling tweaks and some significant mechanical changes are part of the facelift that touches most aspects of the Macan, improving on its driving nous while adding more equipment. What鈥檚 in the range and how much does it cost? The updated Macan range has shrunk. So, that leaves the base Macan, with its four-cylinder engine, and the more powerful Macan S, with a V6.

81,400 and gets leather seats, electrically adjustable front seats, three-zone air-conditioning, tyre pressure sensors, digital radio tuning, satellite-navigation and a partial digital instrument cluster with a large analogue tachometer in the centre. There鈥檚 also a much larger (10.9-inch) touchscreen with enhanced functionality courtesy of Connect Plus. It also gets Apple Carplay. It can connect with apps to monitor everything from local weather to security at your house (it can send images from your home security system to the screen). What鈥檚 the interior and practicality like? Nothing has changed with space or practicality for the Macan. It boasts a familiar five-door, five-seat layout that comfortably caters to small families. Adults will find the back seats spacious for two, although taller folk may want a fraction more knee room. Up front the seats are wonderfully supportive and space more forthcoming for what is a great driving position, the wheel and pedals well positioned.

The boot has a flat, wide floor, although it鈥檚 not particularly deep. A 40/20/40 split-fold arrangement on the back seats caters for long or wide luggage. Storage is also well catered for, with decent door pockets and a useful centre console. Cupholders to the rear of the gear selector also look after odds and ends. All the finishes, too, are of good quality, creating an upmarket ambience. There鈥檚 also a broad choice of optional finishes, including two-tone treatments inside. What are the controls and infotainment like? The steering wheel is the centrepiece sharing its basic design with those used in 911s and Boxsters. While you can adjust the volume and answer phone calls from it, there isn鈥檛 the usual array of buttons, most functions instead focused on driving, from the metal shift paddles to the circular drive mode dial. The larger touchscreen is also a win, with customisable tiles making it easy to navigate. There are also main menu buttons below.

But things get busy in the centre console with a mass of buttons to control everything from seat heaters and ventilation to the dampers and handbrake. There鈥檚 a lot going on throughout that centre console. In case you haven鈥檛 had button overload there is another collection on the roof. What鈥檚 the performance like? Nothing has changed with the basic Macan, which is still powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine used in various Volkswagens and Audis. And, while the Macan S has always had a V6 turbo engine, there鈥檚 now a new one beneath the bonnet. It steps power up by 10kW and 20Nm - modest but worthy improvements - but also meets stricter emissions regulations, something required in Europe. There are faster luxury SUVs around - and there will be faster Macans in future when the brand revives the Macan GTS and Macan Turbo. So the Macan S plays in the mid-tier, up against six-cylinder, predominantly German rivals.

It鈥檚 260kW and 480Nm are in the mix, the torque figure on tap from way down in the rev range. Keep the drive mode selector in Normal and it鈥檒l lean on sixth and seventh gear to make the most of that low rev meatiness, making for effortless progress. Get more aggressive with the throttle or dial up Sport and there are sharper upshifts and respectable punch. Combined with aggressive downchanges and a penchant to hold revs it makes it the pick of modes when you want to dial up the pace. It鈥檚 a brisk car, just not fiery. The Macan also benefits from an optional launch control system that comes as part of the SportPlus system (which also brings an analogue timing clock on the top of the dash). Activate it and it builds engine revs before releasing the clutch very quickly for a more fiery take-off. To many, that will be fine, the ample acceleration more than enough to tick the Porsche performance button.