2018 Porsche Macan SUV Crossover Review & Ratings

Performance

The 2018 Porsche Macan compact SUV has two engine formats and both are paired with an automatic seven-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. The base trim has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. For higher trim levels, they have the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 but is tuned more powerfully when stepping up to the next trim. It starts at 340 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, and then at 360 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line trim is tuned at 400 hp and 406 lb-ft and a performance upgrade bumps it up to 440 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. With the turbocharged six-cylinder power plant, the power was immediate and not a hint of turbo lag was noticed. It reached 60 mph in just under four and a half seconds, which is class-leading among its competition. The transmission shifted gears smoothly that contributed to a sense of urgency in the acceleration. The Macan handled like a smaller vehicle than it actually is. It had a good grip of the pavement even when attempting to go faster through the turn. The steering was responsive and it quickly changed direction. Returning to center position felt natural and overall, it was well-composed on the road. The brakes were more than adequate, but the stock all-season tires were not optimized for them. Stopping from 60 mph took 120 feet, which is to be expected in its class. However, the pedal felt soft and lacked that progressive sensation when pressed down further.

Technology

The base trim comes standard with a power liftgate, xenon headlights, automatic wipers, automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, two USB ports, satellite and HD radios, Porsche Communication Management system with a 7-inch touchscreen, a CD player and a 10-speaker sound system. The S trim is equipped similarly as the base trim and adds performance upgrades. The GTS trim adds adaptive headlights, front seats memory functions, heated sport seats and adaptive air suspension. The top-of-the-line Turbo trim adds adaptive suspension dampers, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system. For all trims, the Premium package includes adaptive headlights, auto-dimming mirrors, heated front and rear seats, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system. The Premium Package Plus adds keyless entry and ignition and power-adjustable ventilated front seats with memory functions. Standalone options for all trims are vast and features that come standard for higher trim levels become optional for preceding trim levels.

Safety

The 2018 Macan has no official safety ratings yet from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2018 model is based on the update from 2016 and the 2017 model has no safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS as well. Advanced safety and driver aids that come standard with the base trim include front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and lane departure warning system. More features can be added as standalone options and they are lane departure intervention, adaptive cruise control, and 360-degree cameras.

Appearance

The 2018 Macan has a length of 184.3 inches, a width of 76.1 inches, a height of 63.9 inches and a wheelbase of 110.5 inches. The Macan resembles a more compact version of its bigger sibling, the Cayenne. The silhouette is practically similar as well as the front and rear bumper. Overall, the design is understated and looks distinctively Porsche. The base trim starts with 18-inch wheels but all trims have the option for up to 21-inch wheels. The sunroof is also available as an option for all trims. Starting with the S trim, exterior trim appointments in the side panels and front fascia become available.

Comfort

The ground clearance can be lowered by the air suspension and going in and out even more convenient. Despite being the smaller SUV offering from Porsche, it did not feel tight in both the first and second rows. Headroom and legroom were still sufficient even for the passenger who stands at six feet or taller. The two rows of seats can fit up to five passengers on board. Comfort is well addressed for long drives and the additional functionality (heating, ventilation, and adjustability) worked as expected. The leather upholstery felt supple to the touch and the fit and finish was top notch. Despite its precise handling abilities, the ride was compliant enough to minimize harshness. Road imperfections were dampened very well although it felt slightly disengaged from the pavement at times. Road and wind noise was hardly audible and even the engine note was attenuated from the cabin, which facilitated a serene atmosphere inside.

Cargo

There is 17.7 cu-ft of space behind the second row of seats, and folding down the second row opens up 53 cu-ft of space available for cargo.