Back in 2010 I came Porsche's factory in Leipzig to review the Cayenne testing it on road,
off road and on track.
Well four years later I'm back to do the same thing with its smaller brother the Macan.
Porsche's baby SUV is built on the same platform as the Audi Q5.
However, its lower, wider, and sportier though that sloping tailgate means the boot is slightly
smaller.
Still, the back seats are sufficiently roomy even for adults.
Wow wow wow.
Sorry let's stop all this boring practicality nonsense.
This is a Porsche after all.
Let's talk about engines.
There's a 400hp 3.6-litre V6 twin turbo which you get in the Macan turbo, a 360hp 3.0-litre
V6 twin-turbo in the Macan S and a 3.0-litre diesel with 257hp in the
The Macan S Diesel starts from £43,300 which may sound a lot.
But then inside it feels no less posh than the bigger Cayenne.
The button heavy design of the centre console is similar too, while the steering wheel mimics
that of the 918 Spyder supercar.
But what does it feel like to drive....
So here we are cruising the mean streets of Leipzig, and this feels like properly special
car to be driving in.
This one has the adaptive dampers which will be an option on all but the Turbo and with
them in comfort mode, yep it rides well.
It's pretty quiet too and this diesel has plenty of oomph.
The Macan S Diesel can do 0-62mph takes just 6.3 seconds and hit 143mph.
Yet Porsche says is can return 46mpg.
Hey I like this car -- but do I like it more than an Evoque?
As luck would have it, there was one left at the left at the side of the road.....
I wondered if anyone would mind if I borrowed it ...
Okay so Evoque.
Well for starters I think despite being older it stands out more than the Macan.
The interior design, it's got more flare than the Porsche's, and it's minimalistic design
is less cluttered.
But then it doesn't feel as well made or easy to use.
Also while the Evoque may be more of a fashion icon and its nine-speed automatic is a close
match for Macan's 7-speed PDK, the Range Rovers grumbly 4-cylinder 2.2-litre diesel is way
off the pace of the Macan's smooth V6.
So too is it ride, handling and steering.
And while the Evoque may have a bigger boot it feels snugger in the back seats even with
the five-door model.
Now I hear you all saying.
But the Evoque is not only cheaper being based on the Freelander means it's better off road
too.
But does that really matter?
I'm going to find out with this Macan S.....
Apparently less than 7 per cent of Porsche SUV owners actually go-off road.
But for those who do the Macan is available with air suspension.
This can increase the car's ride height to for improved ground clearance and approach
angles.
Even then it's probably not as capable as a Range Rover.
But do you really plan on doing this in your £40 grand SUV.
You don't do you?
You're just going to need to traverse speed humps and the odd kerb...
Tin case you are wondering Macan S can hit 62mph in little over 5.2 seconds and tops
out at 157mph.
But if that's not quite quick enough for you, then there's always the Turbo.
So this has a 3.6-litre twin turbo with 400hp -- which is only 60 more than the S. But out
here on the track you really do notice that difference
The Turbo can do 166mph and will sprint from 0-62 in 4.8 seconds -- or 4.6 seconds with
sport chrono package.
And as with all macans it can send 100 per cent of its power to the rear wheels and even
shuffle it across the rear axle if you have the optional torque vectoring.
With the suspension in it sportiest setting the Macan's the agility is quite remarkable
for a tall vehicle which weighs 1900KG.
In fact you begin to forget it's an SUV and start to think of it more
of a Cayman on stilts.
Despite all the track shenanigans though, it's the diesel model which is the most impressive
blending economy performance and agility.
And so while it might not be the most fashionable small SUV you can buy.
To drive on the road -- yup it's definitely the best.