It's tempting to dismiss the 2015 porsche macan as just another luxury crossover -- or worse yet, as just a rebadged Audi Q5 -- but then you drive it, and you realize that it's a genuine performance car that deserves to wear the Porsche crest. Sure, it rides kind of high, and it has a hatchback trunk, but the Porsche engineers have worked miracles on this crossover's driving dynamics. Here are five reasons to put a Macan through its paces.
Two Amazing Engines
The Macan Turbo gets all the press, and that's understandable: It's packing a 3.6-liter turbo V6 with 400 horsepower. Here's the thing, though: The base Macan S also has a turbocharged V6, and it makes 340 hp for a lot less money. We drove both of them, and there's no question that the Turbo feels stronger, but the base engine more than holds its own. If you're choosing between them, that's an enviable problem to have.
Sports-Car Handling
A lot of crossovers supposedly have sporty handling, but let's face it: Most of it's just window dressing. The Macan, however, is the real deal. We shadowed a 911 on a racetrack, and the Macan Turbo had no trouble keeping up. Its sport-tuned suspension and its rear-biased all-wheel-drive system make the Macan extremely fun to drive.
Sumptuous Interior
Porsches used to be known for their Spartan cabins, but not anymore. The Macan embodies this trend with its rich materials, beautifully upholstered seats and crisp high-resolution displays. This may be Porsche's entry-level crossover, but you wouldn't know it from inside. We especially like the rich tan leather upholstery with matching dashboard and steering-wheel trim.
Handy Hauler
The Macan's official cargo measurements are modest, at 17.7 cu ft. in the trunk and 53 cu ft. with the rear seatbacks folded down, but think of it this way: It's a 4-door Porsche with real cargo capacity, and that's all that some Porsche lovers will need to hear. Plus, you can tow over 4,400 pounds, which is unheard of among compact luxury crossovers. Of course, the larger Cayenne can haul and tow even more, but the Macan is a nice middle ground between the top-dog Cayenne and Porsche's sports cars.
Surprising Value
We'll leave the Turbo out of this one, since it starts at around $75,000 -- it's hard to say that anything's a good value at that price. The base Macan S, however, starts in the low 50s, and it comes very well-equipped right out of the box. A lightly optioned Macan S might be the one to have, as it gives you a lot of Porsche engineering goodness for the price.
AutoTrader Says
The 2015 Porsche Macan may not look like a true Porsche, but it certainly drives like one. You have to try it if you're shopping in this segment.
