Porsche Macan 2019 review: is it still top of its class?

A new version of Porsche’s smallest SUV is on track to arrive in UK showrooms early next year. Critics have been quick to get behind the wheel to see how it lives up to the popular first-generation model.

The Macan is currently the best-selling model in Porsche’s UK range. Last year more examples of the SUV were sold than the company’s 911 sports car, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman and Panamera saloon combined, says Autocar.

The SUV has bucked the trend of traditional “sales curves”, says the magazine. While sales of most cars gradually decrease over time, the Macan has continued to sell well since the first-generation model arrived in showrooms in 2014.

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A new version of the Macan will be shipped to customers from early next year. The new car boasts a range of hi-tech upgrades and a selection of revamped petrol engines.

But has Porsche done enough to attract new buyers to its entry-level crossover?

Here’s what the critics are saying:

Reviews

The German car giant has scrapped all diesel engines from its line-up, meaning a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine now sits at the bottom of the range. This is expected to become the most popular option for buyers, says Autocar.

On the road, the motor feels “a little gutless at first”, but letting the engine run higher into the rev range unravels the car’s surprisingly sprightly performance, the motoring magazine says. The 2.0-litre engine also sounds better than the mid-range and top-spec V6 motors.

The steering, meanwhile, is also impressive, says Evo. Despite weighing nearly 1,800kg and riding on 20in wheels, the Macan can be “hustled with the enthusiasm of a hot hatch.”

“No car this heavy and tall should be able to corner with such cast iron control and composure”, says the magazine. “Factor in the excellent visibility afforded by the high set driving position and you soon discover the Macan is one of the fastest ways to cover ground on give-and-take roads.”

Inside, the new Macan “extends its lead over newcomers like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Jaguar F-Pace”, says Top Gear. Trim materials are “exemplary”, while the “comfortable, supportive seats” prove Porsche is among the very best when it comes to build quality and comfort.

While the layout of the cabin hasn’t changed much when compared to the first-generation model, the interior has a few hi-tech additions.

These include a new touchscreen in the centre console, which houses Porsche’s latest infotainment system, as well as digital dials behind the steering wheel, says CNet.

Drivers can tap into the car’s autonomous safety features, such as the traffic jam assist system which automatically stops and starts the car on busy roads, the tech site adds.

Overall, the new Macan isn’t radically different to its predecessor, says Auto Express. But Porsche has done enough to keep the Macan “at the top of its class.”

Price and release

Prices start at £46,344 for base-level Macans. Sportier Macan S models kick off at £48,750.

Orders are now open with deliveries set to get underway in early 2019.