Used 2020 Porsche Macan

#9 in Best Small Luxury SUVs of 2020

Although the 911 is the company’s best-known model, the Macan is Porsche’s best-selling vehicle. As crossover SUVs gain in popularity, Porsche has been able to combine the versatile family utility of a compact SUV with the performance expected of the storied brand from Stuttgart, Germany.

To ensure maximum traction on all surfaces, the Macan comes standard with all-wheel drive, while power comes from a choice of turbocharged engines: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder for the base model, a 3.0-liter V6 for the Macan S, and a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 in the new 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo model, which returns to the lineup after a year-long hiatus.

The Porsche Macan is sportier than the Audi SQ5, BMW X3/X4 and Jaguar F-Pace, but it does come up comparatively short against those competitors in cargo space and off-road abilities.

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From behind its thick leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel, the 2020 Porsche Macan is a delight, a wonderful blend of SUV and sports car. It’s one of the sportiest SUVs available, and it’s an engaging drive from the instant you fire up its turbocharged engine. Even the “slowest” model, the base Macan, is fast. This 4-cylinder model hits 60 mph in just over six seconds. The V6-powered Macan S shaves another second off that time, while the new Macan Turbo throws down the gauntlet with a blast to 60 in 4.3 seconds (or 4.1 when equipped with the Sport Chrono package).

Not long ago, that kind of performance was strictly 911 territory. Porsche’s all-wheel-drive system maximizes traction, and there’s enough cornering grip in the Macan to strain neck muscles. At the same time, Porsche’s compact SUV has a vault-like chassis and a comfortably smooth ride. Toss the Macan into corners and let the fun begin.

The Macan’s interior may not be as spacious or accommodating as some of its rivals, but few in this class can match this Porsche’s attention to detail, design and functionality. As is tradition in Porsche vehicles, the ignition is to the left of the steering wheel. Instrumentation is directly in the driver’s line of sight, with the tachometer taking center stage in the cluster, flanked by the speedometer and digital readout screen.

The center stack is dominated by a 10.9-inch touch-screen infotainment system, while a smaller steering wheel from the 911 is optional. Firm and well-bolstered front seats are designed with performance driving in mind, and although the button-heavy center console looks intimidating, it’s logically arranged. There’s 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 40/20/40 rear bench, an amount that increases to 53 cubic feet when the seat is folded.

The Porsche Macan SUV received a new look for 2019, and the compact SUV continues unchanged into 2020. The nose is highlighted by full LED headlights, while the rear boasts an LED taillight spanning the full width of the tailgate. The wheels and tires look like those used on the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan.

Standard wheels are 18-inchers (the best choice for those looking for a smooth ride) but the 20- and 21-inch wheels available on the Macan S and Macan Turbo models dramatically improve the visual appeal. Standard tires on the new Macan Turbo are size 265/45R-20 in front and 295/40R-20 in back.

10.9-INCH TOUCH SCREEN
In keeping with Porsche’s other vehicles, the Macan has a 10.9-inch touch screen that dominates the center dash. The touch-screen setup plays host to all infotainment features, navigation, rearview camera and apps integration plus available Apple CarPlay.

PORSCHE SURFACE-COATED BRAKES (PSCB)
The Macan Turbo’s brake discs are coated with tungsten carbide to dramatically reduce rotor wear and significantly cut the amount of brake dust deposited on the alloy wheels. (Although most people think brake dust is comprised primarily of spent pad material, Porsches says 70 percent of it comes from the rotor itself.)

The 2020 Porsche Macan is generously equipped. Besides the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the base Macan is fitted with all-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels, a power tailgate, LED headlights, an anti-theft alarm and an interior featuring power front seats, four USB ports, tri-zone climate control and leather and Alcantara trim. A lane-departure warning system also is standard, as are cruise control and a split-folding rear seat. The infotainment system is highlighted by a 10.9-inch multi-touch screen with navigation.

As for the V6-powered Macan S, it has Sport and Off-Road modes, not to mention shift paddles and 19-inch wheels. The new 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo benefits from Porsche Active Suspension Management (air suspension), 20-inch wheels, larger brakes and a Sport exhaust with silver tailpipes. An analog clock also graces the dash of the Macan Turbo.

Porsche offers extensive option packages for its Macan SUV. At $6,500, Premium Package Plus is by no means inexpensive, but it includes a huge panoramic sunroof, Apple CarPlay, a Bose Surround Sound audio system and heated 14-way-power front seats with memory. An available Premium Package includes the Bose stereo, Apple CarPlay and heated seats (but no panoramic sunroof) for $3,110.

A Sport Chrono Package is available as a $1,360 option. In addition to having an analog and digital stopwatch, Sport Chrono includes a Sport Plus mode for the engine, gearbox and chassis. Sport Chrono also includes a nifty Sport Response Button that quickly engages the Macan’s sportiest settings for 20 seconds, all at the touch of a button. A Launch Control program, which guarantees a fast start, also is a part of Sport Plus.

Porsche’s Surface-Coated Brakes (PSCB), which effectively eliminate brake dust, are a $3,490 option. Also available: Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), which add $8,160 to the price of the Macan S and Macan Turbo.

The base Macan employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 248 horsepower. That’s enough power to zip this performance SUV from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds (or 6.1 with the Sport Chrono package). At just over 4,000 pounds, this is the lightest Macan. The Macan S receives the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (348 horsepower) used in the Cayenne and Panamera, and enables 0-60-mph blasts of 5.1 seconds. This engine places the turbocharger in the valley between the engine’s cylinders for improved turbo response.

The 2020 Porsche Macan GTS is powered by a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with 375 horsepower, while the new Macan Turbo gets 434 horsepower out of the same basic engine. The twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6s have a slightly shorter stroke than Porsche’s 3.0-liter V6.

All Macans use a 7-speed PDK automatic transmission and a sporty rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. For added fuel efficiency, the compact Porsche SUV also has an auto start/stop system that can be switched off if desired. Porsche, for the record, states that the Macan Turbo has a towing capacity of 5,291 pounds (with a braked trailer).

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Macan)
248 horsepower @ 5,000-6,750 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/23 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (Macan S)
348 horsepower @ 5,400-6,400 rpm
354 lb-ft of torque @ 1,360-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/23 mpg

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Macan GTS)
375 horsepower @ 5,200-6,700 rpm
383 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/22 mpg

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Macan Turbo)
434 horsepower @ 5,700-6,600 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/22 mpg