2022 Porsche Macan review: Driving flair makes up for lack of kit

A Porsche is out of reach for most Australians, but its most affordable model means that it is closer than you might have thought.

Porsche’s top seller has scored another update with more power and fresh styling ahead of an all-new electric model in about 2023. The Macan mid-sized SUV family has dropped from four models to three, with the top of the line-up Turbo culled – in name at least.

The reshuffle sees the most affordable way into a Porsche starting at $84,800 before on-road costs.

That car, simply known as Macan, is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo used in various Volkswagens and Audis. The engine now makes 195kW and 400Nm (up 10kW/30Nm), lowering the 0-100km/h time to 6.4 seconds. As with all Macans, it drives all four wheels.

The Porsche Macan is priced from $84,800 before on-road costs.

It has a powered tailgate, electric front seats, leather, smart-key entry, three-zone ventilation, a 360-degree camera and a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat. There’s also a dizzying array of colours and trims for personalisation.

The flagship Turbo (they all have turbos, but Porsche also uses it as a model designation) has been discontinued but its 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 lives on in 324kW/550Nm guise in the GTS, priced from $129,800 plus costs.

Slotting between those two is the Macan S ($105,800), which picks up the engine tune from the previous GTS, the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 making 280kW and 520Nm.

The 3.0-litre V6 previously used in the Macan S has been discontinued.

You’ll need to get a higher grade to get all the creature comforts.

New bumpers front and rear and fresh wheels lift the look, while the centre console picks up a black plastic panel with integrated touchpad buttons surrounding the gear lever in line with others in the Porsche family.

Seats hug in all the right places and those in the rear have two USB ports to match those up front. An old-school analog tachometer takes pride of place in the instrument cluster and there’s no button-pressing to start, just the twist of a mock key in the dash.

Obvious places for a phone are scant and there’s no wireless charging on the extensive options list. While Porsche is finally embracing Android Auto connectivity on other models, for now you’ll need an iPhone to make use of the CarPlay functionality in the Macan.

The Macan is one of the better driving SUVs on the market.

The entry-level car lacks a radar for adaptive cruise and advanced auto braking functionality (it’s another $1620) that is commonplace on mainstream cars.

Ageing but solid bones make for reassuringly sure-footed progress through corners. Crisp, nicely weighted steering is backed up by prodigious mid-corner grip that ensures it transitions from the suburbs to sweepers with panache.

Riding on standard 19-inch wheels ensures the most affordable Macan disposes of bumps nicely.

The four-cylinder engine is less convincing. It’s brisk – and helped by a slick-shifting twin-clutch transmission that’s a rarity in SUVs – but it lacks the spark and outright oomph some might expect in a Porsche.

The base Mcan is perky, but the GTS has express pace.

The 2.9 V6 in the S solves that with a strong surge that crescendos into the upper revs. It’s a hearty unit that snarls once you engage Sport mode, or you can listen to the 14-speaker Bose audio. Adaptive dampers control the ride when you’re pushing on. Brakes are powerful and precise.

Riding on optional 21-inch wheels steps the grip levels up further, albeit with some low-speed fidgeting upsetting comfort.

It’s not until you step into the GTS that you get heated front seats and the Sport Chrono system that brings launch control (it’s $1880 on the Macan and S).

With black highlights outside and 10mm lower suspension the GTS improves the agility further. Instead of coils there are air springs that widen the bandwidth between everyday Normal mode and the most aggressive Sport Plus setting. While bumps can be abrupt at lower speeds, there’s impressive control over bigger hits. Few SUVs attack corners with the pace and confidence of the GTS.

Acceleration is lively and there’s added fury when you press the throttle, helped by the sports exhaust system with its beefy bass.

In any guise the Macan still shines through the corners.

VERDICT 3.5/5

Porsche’s cheapest SUV lacks some kit but delivers on cornering pizzazz.

PORSCHE MACAN VITALS

Price: From $84,800 plus on-roads

Warranty/servicing: 3 yrs/unlimited km, about $6800 for 5 yrs/75,000km

Safety: 8 airbags, lane-change assist, 360-degree camera

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, 195kW/400Nm

Thirst: 9.3L/100km

Spare: Space-saver

Boot: 488L (Macan), 453L (S, GTS)

Originally published as 2022 Porsche Macan review: Driving flair makes up for lack of kit