Pricing, Ratings & Reviews

From behind its thick leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel, the 2019 Porsche Macan is a wonderful blend of SUV and sports car. It鈥檚 one of the sportiest SUVs available, and it鈥檚 an engaging drive from the instant you fire up its turbocharged engine. Even the "slowest" model is fast. The 4-cylinder base model is able to rush to 60 mph in just over six seconds. The Macan S shaves another second off that time, with a new-to-the-Macan 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that boosts horsepower an additional 14 ponies over last year鈥檚 3.6-liter V6. Not all that long ago, that was 911 territory. Porsche鈥檚 all-wheel-drive system maximizes traction and allows the SUV to corner hard enough to strain your neck muscles. But the Macan isn鈥檛 all speed and thrills, it鈥檚 also comfortable and rides well. From the driver鈥檚 seat the Macan feels like it was carved from granite, but toss it into a corner and it somehow feels light on its feet. That鈥檚 a neat trick.

News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Porsche dealer. Which Is Better: Porsche Macan or Audi Q5? The Audi Q5 is a great luxury compact SUV. It has more cargo space than the Porsche, as well as standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Audi strikes a delicate balance between comfort and sportiness, though the Macan claims the prize for being more athletic. 7,000 lower than the base Porsche鈥檚 MSRP. Both are good vehicles, though, so choosing between them is a matter of preference. Which Is Better: Porsche Macan or Porsche Cayenne? The Porsche Cayenne is a luxury midsize SUV. Porsche redesigned the Cayenne for the 2019 model year, endowing it with some aspects of the luxurious Panamera. The Cayenne has more cargo space and rear-seat passenger room than its smaller sibling. In many other respects, these two SUVs are similar. Both have a range of capable engines, sharp handling, and premium cabins with lots of features.

However, one key area of difference is price. 15,800 higher than the Macan鈥檚. Budget, size, and preference are the main determinants between these two Porsche vehicles. How Many People Does the Macan Seat? The Porsche Macan is a two-row SUV that seats five people. Partial leather upholstery and eight-way power-adjustable front seats come standard. Seating upgrades include leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, 14-way power-adjustable front seats or 18-way power-adjustable sport seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats are roomy and great for all-day comfort. The rear seats are less enjoyable, as legroom is especially tight. While this Porsche seats five on paper, three taller riders will have a hard time squeezing into the back. The Macan has two complete sets of LATCH connections for securing child car seats. The rear middle seat has a single tether anchor. As you鈥檇 expect from a Porsche, the Macan鈥檚 cabin is awash in luxurious materials and soft-touch surfaces.

With the rear seats up, the Macan has 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding them down reveals 52.9 cubic feet. Both figures are below average for the class, and rivals such as the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC have more room. A power liftgate comes standard. The standard Porsche Communication Management infotainment system features a 10.9-inch touch screen, navigation, voice controls, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 10-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, and four USB ports. Apple CarPlay is available, as are 14-speaker Bose and 16-speaker Burmester sound systems, push-button start, proximity keyless entry, and a panoramic roof. The touch screen is easy to use. It responds quickly to inputs, and its crisp graphics make it easy to see clearly. There are plenty of buttons on the dash, and while that makes it easy to control some functions, it also clutters up the center console. Apple CarPlay is available, but Android Auto is not.

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? What Is Android Auto? The base engine in the Porsche Macan is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It makes 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The Macan S has a 3.0-liter V6 that produces 348 horsepower and 352 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard. The four-cylinder model has little trouble zipping around town, and the engine provides sufficient power for most driving situations, but it鈥檚 not exhilarating. The available V6 is the same engine that powers the larger Porsche Cayenne's base model. It鈥檚 much livelier, delivering rapid acceleration by class standards. The automatic transmission makes slick, timely shifts. At the time of this writing, neither the EPA nor Porsche has issued any fuel economy estimates for the 2019 Macan. The Macan is one of the most athletic SUVs in its class. Nimble and agile, the Macan is most at home driving along twisty roads.