Used 2023 Porsche Macan

The Macan is also the most affordable new Porsche on the market. Yet it still has those special qualities of precision and composure that any driving enthusiast will appreciate, as well as the usual Porsche style. And the usual pricey options.

The new model arriving this year is the Macan T, coming in just above the base version. Its standard equipment includes 20-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension, and the Sport Chrono package. In other words, the sort of extras buyers might add to the most affordable Macan, although in a slightly more cost-effective format.

There are cheaper rivals, but the Macan occupies its own magnificent mountain in the luxury compact SUV landscape.

Just because a vehicle is a compact SUV, that 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 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 exactly the right amount — not too light, not too heavy. And it’s consistent over all the controls. This makes a real difference when you’re 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 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. 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.

It doesn’t really matter if the 2023 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. Once again, 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.

There isn’t a 2023 Macan “coupe” because, unlike the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class or BMW X3/X4, the Macan was poised on the line 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, 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 it right first time.

As a compact luxury SUV, the Macan can be the ideal size for driving and parking around the city, yet still big enough for a couple to take a cross-country trip.

The base 2023 Macan comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, but the new 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, plus 21-inch alloy wheels and dual sport exhaust pipes all in black.

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

2. Powered tailgate
Let’s give at least a nod to practicality, since the 2023 Macan is an SUV. This standard feature has automatic opening and closing, plus programmable height.

3. Wireless Apple CarPlay
Cable-less smartphone 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.

4. Sport Chrono package
A popular option in most Porsches, 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.

5. 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.”

6. Park Assist
This detects suitable parking spaces, parallel as well as 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 extremely well spent.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine propels the base version of the 2023 Macan SUV and the next-up Macan T model. Output is 261 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The Macan S hits a sweeter spot with 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 (AWD) as standard. And premium gasoline is required across the board. The fuel economy estimates supplied by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are from 2022, but we don’t expect any changes for 2023.

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (base, Macan T)
261 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 mpg

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Macan S)
375 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
383 lb-ft of torque @ 1,850-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 mpg

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (GTS)
434 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900-5,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/22 mpg