Source: Porsche.
Sadly, it hasn't always worked out well for Porsche. Just look up "first generation Porsche Cayenne" or "first generation Porsche Panamera" if you want to see first hand what I'm talking about.
Fortunately, the Porsche design DNA shows well on the Macan. The compact crossover SUV looks stylish and athletic. It's low-slung, aggressive stance screams dynamic driving machine much more so than a high-priced luxury SUV.
For the most part, PCM or Porsche Communications Management is a solid infotainment system. Its overall layout, although a bit dull in design, is logically organized and easy to learn. The touchscreen is responsive while the navigation system is fairly intuitive. PCM is also equipped with Apple CarPlay integration if you prefer to go that route.
PCM is also tasked with controlling the Macan's 14-speaker, 665-watt Bose Surround Sound system. To be honest, I didn't use the sound system all that much. Instead, I spent most of my time in the car enjoying the beautiful sounds emanating from the Macan's quad exhaust.
In the Macan Turbo, the 3.6-liter motor puts out a stout 400 horsepower. With the Performance Package, Porsche ups the output 10% to 440 ponies.
The base Macan is powered by a VW Group-sourced 2.0-liter, 252 horsepower, turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine. Step up a tier to the Macan S and you get a 3.0 liter, twin-turbo V6 putting out 300 horsepower. Move up another notch to the Macan GTS and you'll get a 360 horsepower version of the V6 found in the S.
Without a doubt, the Porsche Macan Turbo with Performance Package is the best driving crossover SUV in the world. This made evident by our test car which is equipped with just about every performance goody available on the Macan — including a $1,490 Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus system which helps the car go around the corner more effectively.
On the winding country roads of rural New Jersey, our Macan tester performed wonderfully in spite of the cold temperatures. To drive, the Macan can best be described as confidence inspiring. While most SUVs do their best to "handle" the corners, the Macan prefers to attack them aggressively. Sometimes it's easy to forget that you are in a 4,200-pound SUV and not a two-seat sports car.
However, the Macan isn't so competent that it's bordering on boring. Its active all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased and normally sends 95% of the power to back wheels. Which makes the infinitely tossable around the corner. Very rarely can you get the rear end of an SUV to step out in a controlled manner like a sports car.
The Porsche Macan Turbo with Performance Package is one of the most impressive SUVs I've ever encountered. And as you know already, it's the best to drive.
But at $96,295 with options, it's freaking expensive.
Our last Porsche 911 Carrera test car cost just a few hundred bucks more. And I understand that it's meant to be the high-performance halo atop the Macan lineup. As you can tell by the name, the Performance Package is loaded with the greatest hits from Porsche's bag of performance goodies. But for the most part, their presence isn't really evident unless you take the Macan out on a race track. So for the vast majority of people in the market for a Macan, these features are pretty much useless.
In addition, the interior of the of the test car was dull and uninspiring. While it's loaded with tech features, it doesn't quite feel up to snuff for a premium vehicle in its price range.
It should be noted that our particular car was originally brought to the US for the buff books to conduct performance testing. So the performance options and the somewhat spartan interior are understandable.
You may be a bit confused at this point. Does he like the car? Or does he hate it?
In truth, I'd say if you're looking for a fun compact premium crossover, you'll be hard-pressed to find one better executed than the Porsche Macan. But what I'll also tell you is don't buy this particular Porsche Macan.
Instead of spending $96,295 on the Turbo with Performance Package, save $30,000 and buy a 300 hp Macan S. It's not as quick as the flagship Turbo with a 0-60 time of 5.0 seconds, but it delivers 95% of the experience at two-thirds the price.
And if you really want a track focused Porsche, use the $30,000 you just saved on a second 911 or Cayman.
So, my verdict on the Porsche Macan Turbo with Performance Package is to buy a Macan S instead.
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