2022 Porsche Macan S review

This new luxury SUV brings head-turning looks and wild performance, but there are a few surprises for potential buyers.

Porsche makes some of the sweetest driving sports cars on the planet and its SUVs are no different.

Here are five things you need to know about the Porsche Macan S.

IT LOOKS THE PART

The Macan SUV is easy on the eye, thanks to a svelte silhouette, a strong stance and huge 20-inch wheels that fill out the wheel arches.

Inside feels luxurious thanks to top-notch materials and impeccable craftsmanship.

The cabin design is old-school, with analog dials and a small digital information screen that can’t match rivals at this price.

The new Macan is a good looking SUV.

Other gripes include a cramped driver’s foot well and a 10.9-inch central screen that is only compatible with iPhones.

A 14-speaker Bose stereo sounds almost as good as the car’s exhaust.

IT’S SPORTS-CAR FAST

The mid-spec Macan S can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds, or 4.6 seconds if you select the $1880 Sports Chrono package.

The mighty twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 engine makes a hefty 280kW and 520Nm, providing substantial shove off the mark delivered elegantly via a quick shifting dual-clutch automatic. It has a top speed of 259km/h.

It is a sharp drive, too.

If you want more performance, the range-topping GTS musters 324kW and 550Nm from the same engine.

Then again, the base Macan is cheaper and its 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine puts out a more than reasonable 195kW and 400Nm.

IT WALKS A TIGHTROPE

SUVs are by their very nature top heavy, which means they aren’t as sharp through the corners as hatchbacks or sedans, leaning when asked to change direction. On the flip side, they often provide a more cushioned ride around town.

Porsche gets around this by providing multiple driving modes.

The inside is beautifully crafted.

In “Normal” mode the Macan has a comfortable ride, cushioning occupants from bumps and imperfections on the road – ideal for the daily commute.

Twist the dial to “Sport” and the exhaust immediately burbles and crackles.

Throttle response sharpens, the suspension stiffens and the steering quickens, making for a more engaging drive and greater corner hugging ability.

The “Sport Plus” setting takes this even further – the engine holds onto lower gears for longer to make the most of its power reserves.

LAST BRAND STANDING

Porsche is one of only a handful of brands that continues to offer a sub-par three-year warranty.

There is a long list of optional extras.

The stance is hard to understand, given its cheaper stablemates in the Volkswagen Group – VW, Skoda and Audi – have all switched to a five year/unlimited guarantee. What makes things even more baffling is the fact that the Macan is built on the same platform as many Audis.

BMW is the only other big luxury player to stick with a three-year warranty.

YOU’VE GOT OPTIONS

The Macan S is priced at $105,800 (before on-road costs), which seems reasonable for a meticulously engineered luxury SUV. But delve a little bit deeper and you realise this is truly just a starting price.

Porsche’s lengthy option list is legendary and our test car had an eye-watering $26,000 worth of options.

Some seem superfluous, such as $650 so the car can detect a parking spot and then automatically parallel park itself.

Others such as adaptive cruise control ($1620) and heated front seats ($790) are standard on much cheaper machines.

The aforementioned Sports Chrono pack that brings extra driving modes and launch control is a must-have on any Porsche and is only standard on the top-spec GTS.

Originally published as 2022 Porsche Macan S review