Used Porsche Macan Review (2014-2024) MK1
Independent review by Peter Hayward from Driving Force
4-minute read
Overview
- High quality cabin
- Excellent comfort
- Super handling
- Expensive to buy compared to similar models
- High running costs
- Technology isn't as advanced as the competitors'
What's the Porsche Macan like?
At a time when its fortunes were waning fast, Porsche came up with a car that went a long way to saving the company.
And that car wasn't one of its signature sportsters, but a large SUV with attitude, the top performing Cayenne.
After that car’s success, it was a natural progression for the company to build a compact sister car with similar performance credentials to capitalize on the buyer's overwhelming choice for SUVs.
And so along came the Macan, it means tiger in Indonesia, and the company called it ‘the sports car among SUVs’ when it was launched in 2014, and said it had been benchmarked against the legendary 911 throughout its development.
With a high quality cabin, excellent comfort and super handling, and enough power to ripple tarmac, it’s a brilliant all-rounder.
Peter Hayward
But on the downside, new models are pretty expensive, and running costs, as with all Porsches, will be pretty steep.
That remains true for second-hand examples, of course, but the prices and other methods of running one will be commensurately less.
Engines
Most of the cars on the second-hand market seem to be petrols, but there's one diesel that still brings very good performance with excellent economy.
It's only available with some lower order models, but the 3.0-litre V6 engine, which drives through a seven speed PDK twin clutch automatic gearbox, has 254bhp, bringing up 62mph from rest in just 6.1 seconds. Yet it’s still capable of 46mpg.
Petrol engines start with a 2.0-litre turbo in the ‘T’ and that has either 233bhp or 261bhp. These go from 0 to 62mph in 6.7 seconds and 6.2 seconds respectively, and are capable of 39mpg and 28mpg.
They're the only models in the range that are available with either manual or automatic gearboxes.
Next up the range is the 3.0-litre V6 ‘S’ with 335bhp and that brings the sprint down to 5.2 seconds and is capable of a very best of 32mpg.
The 3.6-litre Turbo boasts 394bhp and manages 31mpg while blasting to 62mph in 4.6 seconds, but it's not the quickest in the range.
That honour goes to the 3.0-itre in the GTS and the Turbo, which both have a massive 433bhp and cover the 0 to 62mph sprint in 4.4 seconds. Anyone owning one of these isn't going to be bothered about economy, but for the record they have a best of 25mpg.
Driving Experience
There are a number of selectable drive modes to tailor the driving experience to individual tastes so that depending on the spec, suspension, steering feel, response from the engine and even the exhaust note can be tweaked.
Wide, wide tyres and automatic four-wheel drive help give an almost unbelievable amount of grip, and through the corners, the balance's absolutely perfect, even when pressed unmercifully on a circuit.
The standard steering is already full of feel, and through the corners, the suspension stays almost completely flat.
Yet on the potholed and multi-repaired roads we all face every day, it also keeps occupants well insulated and comfortable most of the time.
Interior and Equipment
The interior is well laid out, with multiple instruments centred around a large rev counter and a digital display screen.
The seats are well shaped and comfortable, there’s space for five occupants and the boot is a very good size, with folding rear seats to encompass larger loads.
The equipment range is vast depending on model, and most will have had extras added by original owners from the huge list. Just make sure any that you are interested in have all the toys you want.
Find your Porsche Macan your way with CarStore
The Macan is peerless as a sporting SUV. There are many others, but this is the one by which they are all likely to be judged.
Here at CarStore, you're able to buy your car your way. Whether that be online, in-person, or a mix of both, the choice is yours. With an extensive variety of used cars available, we're sure to have a car that suits your lifestyle.
