Porsche Macan Turbo Review: The Fastest SUV in the World

Porsche Macan Turbo Review: The Fastest SUV in the World

This week, I had the chance to drive one of the most anticipated SUVs since 2014, the Porsche Macan. This smaller sibling of the Cayenne (Cayenne prices) competes with the BMW X3 (X3 prices) and Audi Q5 (Q5 prices). It is marketed as the fastest SUV in the world, and the Macan Turbo has to prove it. Check out its prices and specifications here.

Exterior Design

Porsche has learned from its past mistakes when designing new vehicles. Whether it was the Cayenne or the Panamera (Panamera prices), the first impression was not their strong suit. In fact, it hindered their sales. However, this changed with the Macan. It doesn't resemble any other vehicle but is clearly a member of the Porsche family. The front resembles the Cayenne, but as you circle around the car, it becomes apparent that it is unique. The rear design might not please everyone, and it slightly reminds me of the Q5. The taillights are clearly inspired by the 918, adding a sporty look. The contours of the vehicle make this crossover feel more like a regular car than an SUV, which I consider a positive aspect.

Interior Materials

When you invest a significant amount, you expect substantial features in return. The Macan delivers on this promise. While the interior color may not appeal to everyone, it is undoubtedly luxurious. High-quality leather is everywhere, and the buttons have a pleasant feel, but what caught my attention the most was the clock. This vehicle exhibits the renowned quality of Porsche.

Interior Space

The Macan is a compact SUV. Thus, I expected limited space. It is marketed as a five-seater vehicle, but I believe it is better suited for four adults and a child, as the middle rear seat is not comfortable for adults. The trunk space is adequate and will satisfy any family looking to go on a trip. Overall, there are no complaints in this regard.

Interior Features

This was my first experience with Porsche; thus, it took me some time to adapt to the buttons and their locations. It felt like I was about to pilot an aircraft. There are buttons everywhere, which I personally find overwhelming. After some time examining the buttons, I discovered that this car offers everything one could think of.

The touchscreen is functional but not particularly user-friendly. I found it somewhat challenging. I had to press several buttons, whether physical or on the screen. Perhaps this was because it was my first time in a Porsche. From my perspective, the entertainment system could be improved if they provided a central control system like the MMI found in Audi vehicles.

Performance

If there is any downside to this vehicle, it disappears the moment you start driving. This is the most powerful SUV V6 I have ever driven. With 400 horsepower, it propels you forward as you hear the turbo sound, and this feeling intensifies when you activate the launch control. The Macan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, but my best time was 5.2 seconds. For comparison, the supercharged Range Rover Sport accelerates in 5 seconds and costs 100,000 AED more than the Macan Turbo. However, I must note that all this acceleration results in fuel consumption of 17L/100km.

But you will forget all about that when driving in the normal mode. The transmission is one of the smoothest I have experienced. The shifts are precise, and you hardly feel them, which is excellent.

Check out this video of the car tested in the UAE desert.

Handling and Suspension

The Macan features an air suspension system, which may seem unusual for this type of vehicle but proves extremely beneficial in corners and when driving off-road. This gives the car two personalities. When you lower the suspension, you feel a significant difference in cornering; however, you still sense the weight and size of the vehicle. The handling is excellent. For off-road driving, do not expect it to perform like a Jeep Wrangler. It is a crossover, so no complaints in this department.

Conclusion

The Macan Turbo is the fastest crossover ever, but everything comes at a price, with a starting price of 350,000 AED. The model I tested costs an additional 30,000 AED due to its extras. This leads me to believe that the Macan's real competitors are not the X3 or Q5, but rather its larger sibling, the Cayenne. At this price point, you can get a Cayenne GTS for 370,000 AED, which offers more space and a more aggressive look. Additionally, the Cayenne GTS boasts 440 horsepower.

The Macan Turbo is available at all Nabooda Automotive showrooms.