Used 2019 Porsche Macan

The 911 may be Porsche’s best-known name, but the 2019 Porsche Macan is the company’s best-selling vehicle. As crossover SUVs continue to gain traction with the car-buying public, Porsche has found a way to adapt, combining the versatile utility that families need in their daily driver with the performance expected of the storied brand. 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 or a new, 3.0-liter V6 for the more powerful Macan S. Priced higher than the Audi SQ5, Jaguar F-Pace and BMW X3/X4, the Macan is a better performer, although its cargo space and off-road abilities leave something to be desired.

From behind its thick leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel, the 2019 Porsche Macan is 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 is fast. The 4-cylinder base model is able to rush to 60 mph in just over six seconds. The Macan S shaves another second off that time, with a new-to-the-Macan 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that boosts horsepower an additional 14 ponies over last year’s 3.6-liter V6. Not all that long ago, that was 911 territory. Porsche’s all-wheel-drive system maximizes traction and allows the SUV to corner hard enough to strain your neck muscles. But the Macan isn’t all speed and thrills, it’s also comfortable and rides well. From the driver’s seat the Macan feels like it was carved from granite, but toss it into a corner and it somehow feels light on its feet. That’s a neat trick.

The Macan’s interior isn’t as spacious or accommodating as some rivals, but few in this class can match its 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 new 10.9-inch touch-screen infotainment system, while a new smaller steering wheel from the 911 is offered as an optional upgrade. Firm and well-bolstered front seats are designed with performance driving in mind, and although the button-heavy center console looks intimidating, it’s actually quite logically arranged and easy to use. Cargo space is limited to just 17.7 cubic feet, although dropping the 40/20/40 rear seats expands it to 53 cubic feet.

The 2019 Porsche Macan SUV gets a new look this year, punctuated by a new nose with full LED headlights. Around back is a new LED rear taillight running the full width of the tailgate. New, wider wheels and tires grace some models, but all retain the traditional Porsche DNA that links them to the larger Cayenne and Panamera sedan. Standard wheels are 18-inchers (and likely preferred by those seeking a smoother ride), but new 21-inch wheels on the Macan S improve both traction and visual appeal. For 2019, the Macan gains two new colors that really pop: Miami Blue and Mamba Green Metallic.

10.9-INCH TOUCH SCREEN
In keeping with Porsche’s other vehicles, the Macan gains a larger 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.

7-SPEED PDK AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“Porsche Doppelkupplung” is too many syllables for most Americans to manage, so PDK is a better name for the Macan’s impressive dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission. Smooth and controlled in town, the PDK can get off shifts faster than a standard transmission, although its manual mode allows the driver to give it the old college try.

The 2019 Macan costs thousands less than the Macan S, but still comes nicely equipped. On hand are tri-zone climate control, lane-departure warning system, rearview camera with front and rear parking assist, power-folding side mirrors, power-operated liftgate, and 18-inch wheels. A fresh infotainment system is highlighted by a 10.9-inch multi-touch screen with standard navigation, Porsche Connect apps, WLAN hotspot and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition to a more powerful V6 engine, Macan S models also have rain-sensing windshield wipers, and tinted and thermally insulated glass. And Porsche includes a year of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Porsche is known for its extensive option packages and stand-alone features, and the Macan is no exception. There are 14 different wheel options ranging in size from 18 to 21 inches, adaptive 18-way sports seats, Porsche Connect Plus module with wireless Internet access, Google Earth integration and Apple CarPlay, plus a 16-speaker Burmester audio system and heated/ventilated front seats. Customization options abound, as do performance upgrades that include Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, $8,160 carbon-ceramic brakes and the recommendable Sport Chrono Package with Sport Plus mode, launch control and dash-mounted analog/digital stopwatch. Advance driver assists include lane-keep assist, park assist and adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist.

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 3,900 pounds, this is also the lightest Macan. The Macan S receives the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 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, a design Porsche calls the “hot-V.” The setup not only helps with turbo response times, it lowers the Macan’s overall center of gravity. All Macans use a 7-speed PDK automatic transmission and are all-wheel drive. For better fuel efficiency, they have an auto start/stop system that switches off the engine at traffic stops. Start-ups can be abrupt, and thankfully the system is defeatable. A V6 Macan can tow up to 4,409 pounds.

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