2021 Porsche Macan Review

　　

2021 Porsche Macan Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　While manufacturers each offer their own take on the SUV, most favor utility over any semblance of sport. That's not the case with the 2021 Porsche Macan. Speed and handling are the priorities here, making the Macan feel like a high-performance hot hatch for adults. But the Macan also offers decent helpings of luxury, comfort and the latest technology to make it one of the most well-rounded SUVs on sale today.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Porsche Macan 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$227/mo  for Macan Base

　　Macan Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) (Most Popular) - $52,100 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM) - $60,200 MSRPGTS 4dr SUV AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 7AM) - $72,100 MSRPTurbo 4dr SUV AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 7AM) - $84,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Even the base Macan, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, is fun to drive. But Porsche offers some serious firepower with the GTS and Turbo models, both offering enough performance to shame most sports cars. There's also the midtier S model, which provides plenty of thrills yet keeps the bottom line in check. If you're a bit less judicious with your purse strings, the Macan eclipses competitors by offering a nearly endless array of customization options. However, the Porsche's stellar attributes come at the cost of practicality and price. Other luxury SUVs are far less expensive and are ultimately more passenger-friendly.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Macan drive? We tested the Macan S. Acceleration is a little sluggish from a dead stop (switching to the Sport drive mode fixes this), but it quickly picks up steam once you're rolling. There's plenty of power for merging or passing on a highway. If you really want to show off, use the launch control features. In zzdcar testing, our Macan ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. That's one of the quicker times in the small luxury SUV class and essentially a match for the BMW X3 M40i or Mercedes-AMG GLC 43.

　　Braking and handling are equally impressive. The Macan is light and nimble thanks to sharp and responsive steering and a suspension that keeps body roll in check. There's plenty of traction from the sophisticated all-wheel-drive system too. The only downside is some clumsy transmission shifting at parking lot speeds.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Macan? The Macan has one of the firmest rides in its class. You'll feel bumps and imperfections in the road, but we wouldn't call it harsh or uncomfortable. On the highway, the Macan is quiet, with just a mild growl from the turbocharged V6.

　　Our test Macan had the 14-way adjustable front seats. They provide suitable bolstering and lumbar support without feeling confining. Porsche offers even sportier seats for those who prefer a little more support for aggressive driving. The climate control system works well enough, but the vents don't have a wide range of adjustment and some of the controls are difficult to see while driving.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? You might find the seating position a bit low, and behind the wheel it can seem like you're driving a sport sedan rather than a typical SUV. But the steering wheel and pedals are well placed, and there's plenty of adjustment to help drivers of almost any size get comfortable. Visibility from the driver's seat is good too. This is an easy SUV to park and maneuver.

　　The rest of the interior isn't quite as well executed. The center stack is full of buttons. That's great if you prefer fixed controls to a touchscreen. But the aesthetic is decidedly busy, and the steering wheel and shifter will block your view of some buttons. Another demerit is the lack of interior space. There's plenty of front head- and legroom, but the back seat is tight for the class. The small door openings also make it a bit of a squeeze to get in and out.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Macan has the latest generation of Porsche's infotainment system. It's one of the best around, with a clear, easy-to-navigate interface and customizable tiles on the home screen. The voice controls work well too. The system understands natural language and can set destinations in the navigation system or adjust the radio and media controls. Apple CarPlay is available, but Porsche doesn't offer Android Auto. Our test Macan had four USB-C ports, two for each row.

　　Porsche offers a decent number of advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and a surround-view camera. You'll have to pay for them, though, since most are optional extras.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Macan's 17.6-cubic-foot rear cargo area is one of the smallest in the class. You'll also have trouble fitting tall objects back there because of the sloping rear window. The 40/20/40-split rear seats do fold flat, and the cargo floor is relatively low, which means it's easier to load. Storage up front is lacking. The cupholders are small, as is the center console. There's no good place to put a phone.

　　Got small kids? The rear seat isn't as roomy as the ones in other small SUVs, but it's still large enough to accommodate a rear-facing child safety seat (as long as you don't have the front seats slid back too much). There are Isofix anchors on the outboard seats that are easily found beneath plastic covers.

　　Porsche says the Macan can tow up to 4,409 pounds when properly equipped, which is one of the highest ratings in the class.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Macan is about average when it comes to fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates the base four-cylinder Macan gets 21 mpg combined (19 city/23 highway), which is on the low end for base models. All other Macans are powered by some form of turbocharged V6, with the top-tier Turbo achieving a relatively respectable 19 mpg combined (17 city/22 highway).

　　We tested the Macan S, which has an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined (18 city/24 highway). It returned 22.6 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route. That's about what we expected, indicating the EPA's estimates should be realistic.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Macan a good value? The Macan's base price lines up well with other performance-oriented luxury SUVs. But at that price it's missing some key standard features such as keyless entry and ignition, a sunroof or driver aids like adaptive cruise control. Those can all be added, but enough options can quickly make the Macan pricey by comparison. Fit and finish is excellent, however, and even things like the click of a button or turn of a knob feel nicer in the Macan than in some other luxury vehicles.

　　All Macans come with a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty, which is average for the class. Porsche also includes four years and 50,000 miles of roadside assistance as well as a year of free scheduled maintenance.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　There's nothing in this class that's quite like the Macan. It's fun to drive in just about every situation and is more athletic and buttoned-down than some sport sedans. The engines sound sporty without being overly obnoxious, and Porsche's wide range of paint and wheel options lets you tailor your Macan to be conservative or bright and loud. It pulls off both fairly well, and the level of customization is uniquely Porsche. There's a definite connection to other Porsche models, with just a hint of 911 and even the 918 Spyder supercar in the overall look and feel. All in a small SUV, too!

　　

Which Macan does zzdcar recommend?

The entry-level model is a good place to start, but we think you should jump straight to the Macan S since its turbocharged V6 delivers the performance you'd expect of a Porsche. While there are more than enough stand-alone options to tailor the Macan to your tastes, we'd start with the Premium package for its solid set of luxury features. You might want to set aside a little money for a few of the Macan's many performance-enhancing options too.

　　

2021 Porsche Macan models

The 2021 Porsche Macan is a small luxury SUV available in four trim levels of increasing performance: base, S, Turbo and GTS. All come standard with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Highlights include:

　　Base

　　Includes a decent amount of standard equipment, such as:

　　2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque) 18-inch wheels Tri-zone climate control Leather and faux suede upholstery Eight-way power-adjustable front seats 40/20/40-split rear seats 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen 10-speaker audio system Navigation Wireless Apple CarPlay Four USB ports Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)S

　　Increases the performance quotient, with:

　　3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine (348 hp, 354 lb-ft) 19-inch wheels Larger front brakes with six-piston calipers Unique exterior trim Quad tailpipesGTS

　　Ups the standard features and performance, with:

　　2.9-liter turbocharged V6 engine (375 hp, 383 lb-ft) 20-inch wheels Adaptive air suspension with a lower ride height Sport exhaust Aerodynamic body kit Adaptive headlights Heated sport seatsTurbo

　　The range-topping Macan Turbo increases engine output and adds features that are optional on lower trims. Highlights include:

　　More powerful 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 (434 hp, 405 lb-ft) High-performance brakes Heated steering wheel Driver-seat memory settings 18-way power-adjustable front sport seats Faux suede headliner 14-speaker Bose audio systemOptions abound for all trims — bundled in packages and offered as stand-alone features. These include:

　　Premium package Panoramic sunroof Keyless entry and ignition Adaptive LED headlights Auto-dimming mirrors Heated seats Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) 12-speaker Bose audio system Premium Package Plus Premium package Ventilated front seats 14-way power-adjustable sport seats Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Macan and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Electronically locking rear differential 16-speaker Burmester audio system Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Porsche and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Analog stopwatch paired with steering wheel-mounted drive mode controller

　　

2021 Macan Highlights

Trim: BaseSGTSTurboBase

　　

Base MSRP	$52,100
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$227/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles