Taking a Closer Look at the Porsche Macan S

Porsche Macan S

I remember when Porsche released the Cayenne and pretty much everyone was extremely skeptical. No one was quite sure what Porsche, a company that always made 2-seater sport and race cars, were doing making a large SUV. Well it turns out that they were onto something as the Cayenne became one of the most popular models, and now there is a large demand for vehicles that are similar to the Cayenne. In 2014 Porsche followed up with the Macan: a smaller, lighter, and more affordable SUV/crossover type vehicle. Right now the most affordable Macan is the Macan S, and it is a very nice vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at what this SUV has to offer.

The Porsche Macan S was developed by the company to try and capture all the things people loved about the Cayenne, but then offering it in a smaller and more affordable package. To get the general specifications out of the way, the Macan S is powered by a 3.0 liter twin-turbo charged V6 engine that offers 340hp in total. The vehicle can accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 156mph. The Macan S also has a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, all-wheel drive, and the option for an air suspension. When you combine those facts, the Macan S is actually a pretty enjoyable car to drive for an SUV.

Porsche MAcan S 3

You won’t think for a second when driving this vehicle that the Macan S is not a “true Porsche”, because it certainly feels like one. Sure it’s not the fastest model, but all things considered, it is very capable for an SUV of its size. Speaking of size, that takes us to the next point. Since the Macan S is smaller than the Cayenne, it’s easier to operate, more enjoyable to drive, and fits in better in urban environments. I would go out on a limb and say that the vast majority of Cayenne (and other large SUV’s for that matter) do not need a vehicle that large. When have you ever seen someone driving a Cayenne that was filled with boxes or luggage, or one that was pulling a trailer behind it? Probably never. So even though the most expensive Cayenne performs much better, we still like the smaller form of the Macan. I also think the Macan looks more like a Porsche than the Cayenne does, but I suppose that is just personal preference.

Porsche Macan S interior

Still even though this vehicle is smaller than the Cayenne, it’s not like you’re driving a Mini Cooper; there’s still plenty of room in this car. The interior is still spacious, and extremely luxurious as well. Porsche gives buyers a range of options for the interior so you can pick a style that you like best. The Macan S starts at $52,600 dollars which is certainly more than other cars. But you’ve got to remember, you’re buying a luxury SUV from Porsche, so it’s going to cost more than a Lexus, for example. So in the end, while certain models of the Cayenne are faster and perform better than the Macan S, I still would honestly pick the Macan any day of the week. It’s just a more practical car in my eyes.

Photos from Porsche

Written by Sebastian Hensiek

From Philadelphia, Sebastian is a fan of music, writing, art, and entertainment.