On the road (in Canada)
For those NOT speeding along on the Autobahn, this base Macan drives very well in the day-to-day, very well indeed. Accelerations are linear if not explosive and no matter at what speed you’re going or the type of road you’re on, it still drives like a Porsche. The suspension and steering are both stiff, and there’s no denying the Macan’s sporty side. To that end, put it in Sport mode and you tighten everything up some more, including the acceleration, the steering and the suspension, all of them more responsive and dynamic. And here’s where it becomes clear that the Macan, which was already good, is now better.
Also worth mentioning, because you’re going to notice it, is the strength of the braking. The Macan now has disc brakes measuring 350 x 34 mm in front and 330 x 22 mm in back, and they can stop the vehicle with as much brutality as the powertrain can speed it up when in Sport mode. It’s so sharp you’ll want to be aware of what’s behind you if you decide to stop hard and fast.
Comfort
Yes, the Macan drives well, and yes, it’s sporty by nature, but it’s also very comfortable to ride in. Front-row occupants get 8-way power-adjustable seats that are upholstered in synthetic leather and Sport-Tex. Black is the standard interior colour, but different-colour leather options are out there for you, if you want to pay more for your Macan.
Interior space is a little tighter than in some of the model’s rivals, but only relatively so – you won’t have any trouble comfortably seating four adults in the Macan.
Further back, the trunk can swallow up 488 litres of luggage or whatnot, or 1,503 litres with the rear seats down. That’s pretty decent, given the relatively sporty exterior shell of the Macan. This is a vehicle well-proportioned to fit a family and its luggage.
Specifications sheet of 2022 Porsche Macan AWD
Specifications sheet of 2022 Porsche Macan S AWD
Specifications sheet of 2022 Porsche Macan GTS AWD
The last word
The Macan was good before, but now it’s better! This dynamic and sporty vehicle (even in its base form) is also a comfortable and safety-minded people-mover.
There is of course the question of price. At $60,800, the Macan isn’t a bargain, as such, especially since it’s not particularly massive, but considering that it’s a Porsche, it almost is a bargain. Don’t forget Porsche’s estimate that 80 percent of first-time Porsche buyers go for the Macan. If you’re moving into the premium SUV market, you can do worse than pick the Macan.
We like
The level of refinement
Very pleasant to drive
Sporty exterior appeal
We like less
The ride can feel a little firm on rocky roads
Plenty of options if you want to make the price skyrocket in a hurry
Maintenance is costly
The competition
Audi Q5
BMW X3 / X4
Mercedes-GLC
Alpha Romeo Stelvio
Jaguar F-Pace
