The 'Porsche' of Crossovers
The success of the Cayenne recently led Porsche to expand its crossover lineup with a second, smaller model. The 2016 Porsche Macan has the same sporty attitude and aggressive styling as Porsche’s original SUV, but in a more compact package. It can legitimately make a claim to being the Porsche of small luxury SUVs in spirit as well as name.
Powertrains and Performance
The creators of the Macan wanted it to be a Porsche first and a crossover second, so they made sure to equip it with suitably sporty powertrains and the hardware necessary for sports car-like handling.
The Macan S uses a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6, which produces 340 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. That’s sent to all four wheels through Porsche’s fast-shifting seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’s enough to get the Macan S from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds (5.0 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono pack), and on to a top speed of 156 mph. The Macan S also gets an EPA-rated 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway).*
The Macan Turbo cranks things up even more. It uses a 3.6-liter, twin-turbocharged V6, producing an impressive 400 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Like the Macan S, the Turbo comes with all-wheel drive standard, as well as the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. With an extra 60 hp on tap, the Macan Turbo can whoosh from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds (4.4 seconds with Sport Chrono), and to a top speed of 164 mph. There’s no gas-mileage penalty, either; the Macan Turbo gets identical EPA-rated fuel economy to the less-powerful, smaller-displacement Macan S.
Few vehicles bring as much technology to the pursuit of going fast as the Macan. In addition to the PDL transmission—one of the quickest gearboxes in the business—the Macan is equipped with the sophisticated Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive system, with optional torque vectoring. Available Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive suspension and air suspension systems ensure plenty of options for tuning the ride to fit a driver’s preferences. There’s even an off-road driving mode, for those so inclined.
The optional Sport Chrono pack retunes the chassis, engine, and transmission for greater performance, and adds a Sport Plus button and launch control. Sport Chrono is already offered on most other Porsche models as a way for drivers to squeeze a little extra performance out of their cars.
Features and Trims
The 2016 Porsche Macan is a five-door, five-seat small luxury crossover. The two available trim levels are the aforementioned Macan S and Macan Turbo.
Standard equipment on the base Macan S includes 19-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust outlets, Bi-Xenon headlights, and automatic rear hatch, power-folding exterior mirrors, multifunction sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats with a memory system for the driver’s seat, and more.
The Macan Turbo incorporates all of those features, and adds even more standard equipment, including LED fog lights, the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), with steel springs, Porsche Communication Management (PCM), a Bose® surround-sound system, leather and aluminum trim, an Alcantara roof liner, and a heated steering wheel.
Optional features include the Sport Chrono pack, panoramic roof, air suspension, ceramic brakes, a Burmester® high-end sound system, a full leather interior, ventilated front seats, and other features. There are also many options for personalization, including multiple wheel designs in sizes up to 21 inches, special exterior colors, several seating-trim colors, and even the option for colored seat belts.
Design
The 2016 Porsche Macan takes the styling theme of the larger Cayenne to a more dynamic level. The aggressive front fascia is defined by a big grille and massive side intakes trimmed with bits that look like they came off a Ferrari Testarossa. There’s a clamshell hood, another thing you’d normally expect on an exotic supercar. And where most manufacturers use black-plastic body cladding to mask a crossover’s girth, Porsche added stylish “side blades” to the Macan. Even if you’re too far away to notice these details, the Macan’s pleasing long-hooded proportions and fast roofline still make a statement.
Porsche also went to great lengths to remind those sitting inside the Macan that this is no ordinary family wagon. The steering wheel is inspired by the one in Porsche’s 918 Spyder hybrid supercar, and robustly-bolstered sport seats are standard equipment. There’s also a useful 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 53.0 cubic feet with the rear seats down.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Porsche Macan includes anti-lock brakes, Porsche Stability Management (PSM) stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, Surround View, park assist, and Porsche Active Safe (PAS), which warns the driver of a perceived imminent collision, and can apply the brakes to mitigate potential impacts.
Bottom Line
The 2016 Macan may be a crossover SUV, but it retains the sporty driving dynamics that have defined the Porsche brand for decades. Buyers searching for a more practical alternative to the 911, Cayman, or Boxster -- but one that still delivers the goods in terms of pure Porsche driving pleasure -- would be wise to consider the 2016 Macan.
Be sure to contact us online or visit us at our dealership to schedule a test drive.
*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary depending on driving habits and conditions.
Image: Porsche (European model shown)
