We have seen many varieties of vehicles on the market and with the move toward smaller SUVs that are closer in size to the wagon and sedans we’re used to driving we now see SUVs that are being turned into sports cars, or at least a derivative of the sports car market. The Porsche Macan is built on a sports car platform, by a sports car brand to be an SUV that offers you the space you want in a taller vehicle but the capability of a Porsche sports car. This blend is exactly what we want in the market and with Porsche having the first one they are well ahead of Jaguar with the F-Pace and Maserati with the Levante.
When it’s a performance model you want in your SUV this is the one to choose. There is more space than you might expect and the performance is easily on par with sports car models from the same brand name. For 2017 the Macan adds a GTS model which is the performance player of the group to give us a version that will improve the already enviable driving enjoyment. New features that are standard on the Macan include lane departure warnings, front and rear parking assistance and a rearview camera.
When you look at the Macan you might not think SUV, but you also might not think sports car even though it’s a blend of both. This SUV is going to give you the power you want and can run to sixty mph in only six seconds at the base model. The S and GTS take a full second off the time of the base model and at the top of the lineup the Turbo will give you a time to reach sixty of 4.4 seconds. This makes the Macan one of the fastest SUVs on the road and one that you can enjoy driving.
The engines found in the Macan all use a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission and all are set up with AWD to give you more control in foul weather. The base Macan starts you with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine then moves to a 3.0-liter twin turbocharged V6 for the S and GTS with the Turbo making use of a 3.6-liter twin turbocharged V6 engine. This gives you a range of power from 252 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque to a massive 400 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft. of torque at the top end.
It may come as a surprise to you, but the Macan is actually an affordable luxury sport SUV. The base price comes in at $48,550 with the S showing up at $55,450. Moving to the GTS gives you a price jump as it starts around $68,000 and the Turbo heads up to the $77,000 mark to begin the pricing. When comparted to other luxury SUVs of this same class this is a great place to start at every level, making the Macan something Porsche usually isn’t; a value purchase.
The standard features you will enjoy in the Macan start with tri-zone climate controls, lane departure warnings , a rearview camera with front and rear parking assistance, power folding side mirrors, a power operated liftgate, 18-inch wheels, an infotainment system that has a seven-inch multi-touch screen with satellite radio, USB inputs and Bluetooth connectivity. Moving up to the S will give you rain sensing windshield wiper and tinted, thermally insulated glass.
As you would expect from any Porsche model there are some great options to choose from. The GTS will have 20-inch wheels, an upgraded suspension and other performance items. You can have a fantastic navigation system, a Bose audio system, an Alcantara roof lining, adaptive seats and an active suspension. Choose a better audio system, a panoramic moonroof, the Porsche Connect Plus with wireless Internet access, the rear entertainment system and heated and ventilated seats to give you more comfort and features you want to enjoy from inside the Macan.
When you can’t decide between a sports car and an SUV, the Macan is a great choice that blends them both together. Stop by and check out what this Porsche offers you.
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