2020 Porsche Macan Review: GTS

In the grand scheme of Porsche as a brand, an SUV like the Macan is as controversial as it is inevitable.

I mean, we're talking about a brand with a fan base that turned up its nose at the whole concept of water cooling, not to mention the Stuttgart crest defiled by a bloated SUV body.

However, the passage of time and the changing tastes of the world have affected Porsche, and the reality is that if these fans still want the iconic 911 to continue much further into the future, they just have to accept a single reason. the legendary automaker may even be able to stay alive thanks to SUVs like the Cayenne and the Macan being tested here.

But is this all bad news? Does the Macan get a Porsche badge? Would you really sit next to a 911 in an all-Porsche garage? We took the second from the top GTS to find out…

Porsche Makan 2020: GTS
Safety Rating	-
engine's type	2.9 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	—L / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$94,400

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

Price doesn't matter to Porsche buyers. It's not a matter of opinion, it's a simple fact, confirmed by 911 brand chief Frank Steffen-Walliser, who recently told us: Not only are Porsche assistants happy to pay high prices, but they tend to dive deep into the options catalog while they're at it.

So it seems far from cynical that our Macan GTS, which carries a MSRP of $109,700, also had $32,950 options set for a total (excluding travel expenses) of $142,650.

Price doesn't matter to Porsche buyers.

Most of what you pay for in the GTS trim is a powerful 2.9-liter V6 powertrain, which we'll cover later, but the price puts our Macan on par with the luxury SUVs Maserati Levante GranSport ($144,990), Jaguar F- Pace SVR ($140,262) and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrofoglio ($149,900).

What's in the box? You've got headlines like active suspension control (we had the optional self-levelling feature and a 15mm lower ride height - $3100), 20-inch matte black alloy wheels, sports exhaust, LED headlights (this car had tinted " Plus"). lighting system - $950) and taillights, 10.9-inch multimedia touchscreen with DAB+ digital radio, built-in navigation, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (we also had a Bose surround sound stereo system - $2470), full leather seat trim . (ours was in Carmine Red with Alcantara accents - $8020, with heated GT steering wheel - $1140 and heated front seats - $880), silver and brushed aluminum interior trim (again, we also had a carbon package - $1770).

20-inch matte black alloy wheels are standard on the GTS.

Then a lot of gear. But there are other, unsurprisingly, optional things. Power Steering Plus $550, Sport Chrono Package (lap timing with a cool analog wristwatch dash element) $2390, Panoramic sunroof $3370, Keyless Entry $1470, Lane Change Assist $1220 , the Light Comfort package is $650, and finally, the red body paint to match the interior trim costs a whopping $4790.

Again. Porsche buyers are the type of people who won't forgo those prices to get exactly the car they want, even if some of these items cost a little rough, like whether lane change assist really should be a $1220 option. ? car for $109,700?

There are many add-ons, but they will cost you a lot more than a penny.Despite this, at least inside the Macan, it really does feel like a Porsche with its beautiful fit, trim, and finish. It's a far cry from the cynical VW Tiguan, with its fancy bodywork and different badge, which it could easily have been.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

The Macan was an SUV coupe before the genre really existed, as it is today. Bold trailblazer? Maybe not, but I remember that it was at least much less controversial than the larger Cayenne that came before it.

For an icon, this makes a little more sense, at least in terms of dimensions. The trim of the GTS looks especially masculine: glossy black accents, thick exhaust pipes and blacked-out wheel trim help emphasize its low and wide profile (for an SUV…).

The Macan was an SUV coupe before the genre really existed.

While the Macan's front end has become roomier and more sophisticated over time, the recent facelift has really added an extra touch of rear end appeal with a new rear light bar, adding familiarity to the rest of the brand's models.

Inside, it certainly feels a bit more claustrophobic than many SUVs of this size, thanks to the visual impact of a tall instrument panel, raised buttoned center console, and dark trim elements.

However, everything is done superbly: the leather upholstery on the top of the dashboard, the seats with nice thick leather lining and Alcantara trim (think about the durability of this particular item before ticking…) and a sleek three-spoke steering wheel that is easily one of the best on the market, even in this high price range.

The trim of the GTS is particularly masculine.

The dial cluster is nothing special: Porsche's modern interpretation of the classic dial design has replaced the now more conventional digital dashboard design.

Stuff like that, plus the basic plastic shift paddles, are a curiosity in an elegant, luxurious and modern cabin. It's as if Porsche still wanted those little nods to its lightweight, analog history in the two-tonne, heavily computer-controlled, performance SUV.

How practical is the interior space? 7/10

For an SUV, I wouldn't say the Macan is a special hero of practicality. Here the (correct) decision was made to rely on the sporty character of the Macan coupe, rather than the practicality of a wagon, say, the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Porsche has gone to great lengths to make the Macan look like a Porsche. That means slightly claustrophobic cabin space, with the raised console taking up a huge amount of space that might otherwise be reserved for storage. The console box and glove box are shallow, with only a small bin and bottle holder in the door skins, no extra nooks or crannies for loose items. It's all really just built around being an inviting space for the driver and front passenger.

Porsche has gone to great lengths to make the Macan look like a Porsche.

At least the main cupholders are big, with variable edges and a phone slot. Porsche even thought of leaving a tiny slot for a key and a 12V socket to sit at the base of the console's huge function center.

I hope you enjoy USB-C because it's the only way to connect to Macan. Porsche has removed the USB 2.0 ports.

The plastic seatbacks, while great for those with kids, felt uncharacteristically cheap.

The screen integrates neatly with the dash, and I love how the large quick-access touchpads for key functions surround the Apple CarPlay window. My complaint here though is similar to this car's cousins ​​in Audi, the screen is so high-res that navigating icons in the CarPlay space can be a real hassle while driving.

Rear-seat passengers have not been forgotten with the same contoured seat trim, two USB-C ports for phone charging, large cupholders in the drop-down center console, and its own climate control module with adjustable air vents.

The screen is neat in that it easily integrates with the dashboard.

There was enough legroom for me with a height of 182 cm, but it was very crowded over my head. The plastic seatbacks, while great for those with kids, felt uncharacteristically cheap and lacked storage pockets. Thanks to the high transmission tunnel, I would not like to be a passenger in the center seat ...

However, where the Macan really scores is in the boot, with a whopping 488 liters of available space (expanding to 1503 liters with the second row down). Not bad for something with such a sloping roofline, but that's thanks to the depth of the cargo area. There is even a compact spare tire under the floor.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10

The GTS completes the Macan lineup with a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, and oh my god, it's a strong unit. On tap are an absurd 280kW/520Nm that can propel a (two tons, did we mention?) SUV from 100 to 4.9km/h in just 4.7 seconds; XNUMX seconds with the Sports Chrono package installed.

The GTS model complements the Macan range with a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine.

The Macan is all-wheel drive (with variable torque distribution) via a Porsche Doppelkupplung seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Further performance improvements come in the form of height-adjustable and self-levelling active suspension fitted to our vehicle, and variable power steering tied to driving modes, which we'll talk about later.

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How much fuel does it consume? 6/10

As if proving it's not just another commuter SUV, the Macan is a thirsty unit.

The 2.9-litre twin-turbo puts out a barely impressive 10.0L/100km, but our weekly test showed it sipping 13.4L/100km.

The Macan has a big 75 liter tank, so at least you won't be filling up all the time, and another fact a Porsche buyer is unlikely to blink at is the fact that it requires top quality 98 octane gas. .

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10

Macan security is weird.

Features that you might expect to be standard on a car costing around $100,000 in 2020 are optional, like automatic emergency braking that comes with adaptive cruise control, priced at $2070. (We argue it's worth it if you're already spending that much - adaptive cruise will transform freeway driving.)

Blind spot monitoring (called "lane change assist" in this case) is also optional at $1220, although rear cross traffic alert (which blind spot systems are usually paired with) is absent.

The Macan has also never been rated by ANCAP, so it has no safety stars. On the expected front end, it has all electronic braking, stability and traction systems, plus rollover detection, six airbags and dual ISOFIX child seat attachment points on the outer rear seats.

The Macan has never been rated by ANCAP, so it has no safety stars.

The GTS also has a volumetric parking system with a top-down camera and lane departure warning as standard.

It's not uncommon for premium automakers to pack safety features in, but it would be nice to see the inclusion of lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, driver warning, and rear cross traffic systems to make the Macan one of the safest. vehicles in the segment, especially because these systems exist throughout the VW group.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10

Porsche is now trailing behind with a three-year warranty, which sadly still seems to be the standard for luxury car manufacturers. Will Mercedes-Benz make a difference with its announcement of moving to a five-year warranty, as is customary in the rest of the non-premium market? Time will show.

I somehow doubt that Porsche buyers are queuing up to demand a warranty increase, and I understand that it makes a big difference to the bean counters, but it's still a blatant faux pas when it comes to owning one of these cars after a three year period. . period.

Porsche is now trailing behind with a three-year warranty.

Porsche offers extended warranty options (up to 15 years) if you're willing to pay a hefty sum for peace of mind.

You'll also have to guess on the service front, as Porsche doesn't offer fixed price service programs for its vehicles.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

The Macan is incredibly fast given its shape and weight, but you won't notice it cruising around town.

Things like the awkward dual-clutch transmission, emissions-reducing start-stop system, and heavy standard steering make it a little unwieldy in stop-and-go traffic and when you're just trying to maneuver around town.

Pull out onto the open road, however, and the Macan comes to life. Its V6 drivetrain contains the soul of a sports car with lightning-fast shifting, incredibly precise steering, the sonic rush of a sports exhaust, and as soon as it starts to move, you really begin to feel the full depth of its capabilities.

You fire it up and suddenly a 100-XNUMX mph time of less than five seconds is completely real, but what struck me most was the almost unreal level of grip on offer.

Sure, it has the advantage of being heavy, but the "wow" doesn't quite match the feeling this car gives when pushed through corners. It just sticks like no other SUV I've driven.

On the open road, the Macan comes to life.

If the computerized AWD torque gauge is to be believed, the Macan typically sends most of its drive to the fat rear tires, helping to curb the inevitable understeer or heaviness in the front that plagues many SUVs in its class.

Steering, once heavy at low speed, becomes a pleasure at high speed. The weight is still there, but it goes from a burden to a trustworthy wrestling match between you and pure physics.

Bear in mind that all of this without turning the dial to the Sport or Sport+ position makes the steering even harder, and with the suspension package installed on our car, reduces the ride even further, which would seem to be unnecessary additional reliance on performance.

And that's the problem, really. You can't use a Macan's performance on Australian roads, and it's not exactly the right body style for the track. This is the kind of car that just wants to stretch its legs on the autobahn... I couldn't help feeling that it's like buying a thoroughbred racehorse and chaining it in the yard.

Verdict

Porsche cleanliness lovers can turn their noses up all they want - this SUV still has enough sports car to keep any driver happy.

The Macan is much more than just another SUV with the Stuttgart badge. In fact, I think it could still be the best SUV in its size category. At the very least, it wouldn't be embarrassing to park this GTS next to a 911 in a particularly rich garage.