Porsche Macan 2019 Review
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2019 Porsche Macan: A Crossover with Sports Car Performance
We are in Hamburg, Germany with Porsche for the press launch and driving experience of the 2019 Porsche Macan. If you are looking for the closest drive in a crossover to a sports car, then you are reading the right article.
The Porsche Macan can be described as a more practical 911. That’s how well this car drives. On this trip, it managed to impress me on city roads, windy country roads, and on the Autobahn. It makes perfect sense that Porsche chose the name Macan, which means tiger in Indonesian, to highlight the pure driving performance you’ll experience with this crossover.
Exterior
The Macan has always been the better-looking sibling when compared to the Cayenne. For 2019, the Macan retains its attractive design while receiving subtle updates. The new model features updated front and rear bumpers with larger air intake vents, new LED headlights with distinctive 4 LED DRLs, and a selection of striking colors, including Mamba Green and Miami Blue.
The rear of the all-new Macan sees significant changes in 2019, showcasing Porsche's trademark 3D red light bar across the back, now seen on the 911, Panamera, and Cayenne. The Porsche name is also displayed in 3D letters. While similar to the Cayenne's design, I prefer the Cayenne's name under glass for a more sophisticated look and easier maintenance.
Interior
Inside, the Macan boasts a well-built and high-quality interior, offering numerous customization options such as carbon fiber and Alcantara. The most notable change is the replacement of the old 7-inch infotainment screen with a new 10.9-inch high-definition display that dominates the center of the dashboard. Consequently, Porsche engineers moved the AC vents below the screen.
This touch screen supports Porsche Communication Management (PCM), allowing seamless control of infotainment and vehicle systems. It features an LTE connection for real-time updates and supports Google Maps navigation.
The center console includes the gear lever and an abundance of buttons. While this might seem outdated compared to other 2019 vehicles, the button layout allows for muscle memory, enabling drivers to reach specific controls without looking. Each important feature in the Macan has its own button, allowing quick access without navigating through multiple menus.
Drive
The 2019 Porsche Macan is available in two variants: the standard Macan, equipped with a 4-cylinder 2.0-Liter turbo engine producing 252 HP and 370 NM of torque, and the Macan S, featuring a 3.0-Liter Twin Turbo V6 engine delivering 354 HP and 480 NM of torque.
During my test drive on German roads, which included a blend of highways (the Autobahn) and scenic winding country roads, I noticed that the power output difference between the Macan and Macan S was negligible on tight curvy roads. The Macan's excellent steering feel and stability overshadow its lesser power figures. Both variants are equipped with Porsche's smooth and responsive 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, allowing effortless gear shifts using metal paddle shifters and providing confidence in cornering like any Porsche sports car.
The Macan S allowed me to fulfill a bucket list item: driving a fast car on the famous German Autobahn. Picture this: I'm cruising at 120 km/h on a rainy day with slippery roads and strong winds, when I spot the sign indicating no speed limit. I accelerate, and the Macan S effortlessly reaches 230 km/h. Despite the adverse weather conditions, the car feels stable and in control, allowing me to push to 244 km/h before traffic required me to slow down to 225 km/h.
Both the Macan and Macan S come with the optional Porsche Sport Chrono Package, enabling the Macan to reach 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, while the Macan S achieves this in just 5.1 seconds.
Verdict
While the back seats of the Macan may not be the most spacious in its segment and the 500-liters of boot space is not the largest, the Macan offers one of the best driving experiences in a well-built everyday crossover. It's worth a test drive.
The pricing for the Macan starts at AED 214,000, while the Macan S begins at AED 283,000.
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