2024 Porsche Macan

The Macan is the most affordable new Porsche. It’s also an SUV. No wonder it’s the company’s best-seller despite being around since the 2015 model year. A lot of the Macan’s appeal is not dependent on what the latest bit of technology might be. Instead, it’s one of the few compact luxury SUVs that’s really entertaining to drive, yet it will take the commute in its stride. And Porsche is one of the most prestigious names out there. These traits never fade. Look at our consumer reviews, and you’ll see that 93% of owners would recommend a Macan.

There are no significant changes to the Macan in this model year. There’s talk of an all-electric version arriving at some point, but it seems that Porsche is still weighing all its options.

Rivals tend to be more affordable, even the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 — both start in the high $40Ks. The Acura RDX, Audi Q5, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Genesis GV70, and Volvo XC60 are more in the mid-$40Ks. It’s hard to imagine that anyone thinking about a Porsche might entertain the notion of a Lexus — but for the sake of completeness, the NX starts at $40.2K. The Jaguar F-Pace is closest to the Macan in price, from $57K.

Before buying a new Macan luxury compact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The Macan’s resale values are particularly strong (a typical Porsche trait).

A 261-horsepower engine motivates the two lower Macan models. That makes them capable of accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. We reckon the BMW X3 would also be a driving enthusiast’s choice; the xDrive30i has 248 horsepower and reaches 60 mph in six seconds. The Macan S hits a sweeter spot with 375 horsepower, doing the 60-mph dash in 4.4 seconds.

Just because a vehicle is a compact SUV doesn’t condemn it automatically as a suburban stroller. Some of them, like the BMW X3 and Jaguar F-Pace, are hugely enjoyable to drive. And then, in a league of its own, is the Porsche Macan.

Sure, Porsche can do the obvious stuff like turbocharged engines, big brakes, and firm suspensions. But we’ve found that it also has a masterful grasp of the subtleties, such as how much effort is required for steering, throttle response, braking, and selecting gears. Somehow, Porsche’s engineers have made it so it’s precisely the right amount — not too light, not too heavy. And it’s consistent over all the controls. This makes a real difference when concentrating on a demanding set of curves, which any version of the Macan is perfectly capable of conquering.

The Macan GTS is the most extreme, with a lowered suspension, 434 horsepower, and the fastest top speed (169 mph). It will sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, using the launch control of the optional Sport Chrono package. If that’s your jam, go for it. We think something like the T or S will be more versatile, though, with an adaptive air suspension offering a range of settings from sporty to serene.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury SUVs, including the Porsche Macan.

Fuel Economy

Although our consumer reviewers have many great things to say about their Macan ownership experiences, fuel economy isn’t one of them. The variants with the 2.0-liter engine achieve 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Compare that with 24 mpg combined managed by the BMW X3 xDrive30i. The V6-powered Macan models both return 19 mpg combined.

More fuel economy information can be found at the EPA’s website.

It doesn’t really matter if the 2024 Macan is among the most compact of the luxury compact SUV class, with less rear legroom and cargo space than, say, a BMW X3. Macan buyers in general probably don’t have large families. Well-off urbanites only need to throw a few bags into the luggage area most of the time. If they buy a piece of furniture from a high-end store, they’ll have it delivered.

Instead, there’s a well-designed dashboard and center console, and excellent front seats with comfort and support. Yes, there are way more buttons than some rivals, but they’re kept tidy. However, the technology and overall design now seems far from the cutting edge. The driving experience dictated some of Porsche’s choices, like the size and thickness of the steering wheel, which would be appropriate in the famed 911 sports car.

For the sake of comparison, the Macan’s cargo area goes from 17.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats to 53 cubic feet when they’re folded down. The BMW X3 has 28.7/62.7 cubic feet.

There isn’t a 2024 Macan “coupe” because, unlike the Mercedes-Benz GLC or BMW X3/X4, the Macan was poised between sleek and sensible from the day it came out. And that, it has to be said, was quite a long time ago.

Having made its debut for the 2015 model year, we think the Macan’s styling these days might be better described as timeless, as opposed to cutting-edge. It still has plenty of fans, though. Like the driving experience, Porsche got this aspect right the first time.

As a compact luxury SUV, the Macan can be the ideal size for driving and parking around the city, yet it is still big enough for cross-country trips. The base 2024 Macan comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, but the Macan T has 20-inch alloys finished in Dark Titanium along with other exterior elements in Agate Gray. The GTS has its own aerodynamic kit, 21-inch alloy wheels, and dual sport exhaust pipes, all in black.

Engines
Naturally, the twin-turbocharged V6 engines in the S and GTS are fantastic, but even the turbocharged 4-cylinder unit powering the two lower trims is responsive and energetic.

Powered tailgate
Let’s give at least a nod to practicality since the 2024 Macan is an SUV. This standard feature has automatic opening and closing, plus programmable height.

Wireless Apple CarPlay
Cableless phone integration is another standard feature, connecting to an infotainment system that also has two USB-C ports for each seating row, along with navigation and voice control. Android Auto is not available, however.

Sport Chrono package
A popular option in most Porsche models, this brings a control on the steering wheel to scroll between Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual driving modes, an analog/digital stopwatch on the center console, and a launch control mode for the transmission.

Burmester audio
It’s an expensive option ($5,700), but this 16-speaker/1,000-watt surround-sound system totally deserves the description of “awesome.”

Self-Steering Park Assist
This detects suitable parking spaces, parallel and perpendicular, and can steer the Macan into and out of them. The driver just handles the accelerator and brakes. By preventing parking dings or scraping alloy wheels against curbs, that’s $390 exceptionally well spent.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine propels the base version of the 2024 Macan SUV and the next-up Macan T model. Output is 261 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Macan S has 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6. The GTS boosts that engine to 434 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque.

All variants have a 7-speed automated transmission and all-wheel drive as standard.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty for the 2024 Macan is four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among luxury European manufacturers. Roadside assistance is included.

Safety Ratings

The Macan hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States. Most driver assistance features that are standard in newer rivals cost extra in the Macan.