Porsche Macan GTS 2018 new car review

Is it right for me?

The Macan isn’t the SUV to buy if all you want is a comfortable cruiser for family duties - even though it can handle that role with ease. This is an SUV for those that may need the practicality of a high-riding, five-door wagon but still value the driving experience.

Can I afford it ?

The GTS sits at the third level of Porsche’s four-tier Macan line-up, between the S and more extreme Turbo. It starts at $113,300 plus on-road costs which is slightly dearer than some of its direct competitors mentioned above, but that still makes it competitively priced.

What do you get for your money?

Standard gear includes 20-inch alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), SportDesign package, bi-Xenon headlights, tri-zone climate control, GTS sports front seats, eight-speaker sound system, navigation, Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity.

Although, it’s what’s missing among the standard kit that stands out - like a reversing camera, which is a big omission on a $100k car.

How much does it cost to maintain?

Porsche doesn’t offer capped price servicing but approximate pricing is $695 for a minor service, $820 for an intermediate service and $1290 for a major tune up.

Intervals are every 12 months/15,000km and alternate between minor, intermediate and major in that order.

Is it well built?

Servicing may be expensive but given Porsche's reputation for reliability and quality construction there shouldn’t be any major reliability issues. Everything about the Macan feels tight and screwed together with precision.

What are the Standout features?

The performance you’ve come to expect from Porsche is what makes the Macan GTS feel special. The GTS badge is reserved for the brand’s more dynamic models, over and above the level of performance that Porsche typically offers as standard.

What does it have that others don't?

The Porsche badge is the other element that makes it unique. The Stuttgart brand brings a level of credibility that rivals can’t match. Porsche is synonymous with sports cars for much of its 70 years but its move into SUVs with the Cayenne nearly 20 years ago demonstrated its ability to build engaging cars beyond two-door machines.

How practical is it?

As the smaller of Porsche’s two SUVs the Macan isn’t quite as generous inside as the Cayenne. There’s decent room though, with enough space for a couple of adults to squeeze into the rear or seat smaller children in comfort.

Is it comfortable?

The GTS sports seats are supportive with good lateral support but are also comfortable for long-distance cruising.

The interior itself is well presented with Porsche’s typical sporty style and high quality materials. Just sitting inside the Macan it feels like a Porsche thanks to the thick-rimmed steering wheel and classic gauges laid out in front of you.  

Easy in, easy out?

The Macan isn’t as tall as your typical SUV, plus the PASM allows you to drop the ride height by 15mm, so climbing in and out is no hassle.

Space and versatility?

The boot measures 500-litres and has a square load area to swallow your luggage. There’s also decent small item storage spread around the cabin, including cup holders, a lidded centre console box and sizeable door pockets.

What's the engine like?

The 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 produces 265kW of power and 500Nm of torque and is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. That’s an ideal level of performance for the Macan, allowing for rapid acceleration of just 5.2 seconds from 0-100km/h.

All that torque comes on smooth and strong so it feels potent whenever you put your foot down, which makes overtaking is a breeze.

It also sounds appropriate too, with deep burble at idle and a more raucous note under hard acceleration that matches the sporty intentions of the GTS.

Porsche's ‘PDK’ dual-clutch transmission is the best of its kind, offering lightning fast shifts on the move and feeling smoother and more refined at low speeds than similar set-ups.

How much fuel does it consume?

The official claim is 9.2-litres per 100km but that’s a hard target to hit in everyday use, especially when you indulge your right foot. With a twin-turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive and a sizeable SUV body to haul around a Macan GTS is not a fuel-miser.

Is it enjoyable to drive?

But the GTS isn’t about being frugal, it’s about having fun, and in that regard it excels. Even by sporty SUV standards the Macan feels sharp when you throw it at some corners. It’s good in its regular settings but dial up the Sport or Sport Plus driving modes and it really comes alive.

The steering is perfectly weighted, offering direct response and meaningful feedback to to driver. The suspension is taut and can crash over bigger bumps but always provides excellent control, so as the driver you feel confident in exploring its limits.

However, switch it back into the standard settings and it immediately feels like a more docile luxury SUV that will cruise down the highway or comfortably ferry you around town.

1/2

Does it perform as you expect?

In many respects the Macan GTS exceeds expectations as you don’t typically think an SUV will be this much fun to drive. It ticks many boxes - sporty, luxurious, practical and stylish - and with a little bit more standard equipment to better justify the price it would be a hard car to fault.

2018 Porsche Macan GTS price and specifications

Price: From $113,300 plus on-road costs

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol

Power: 265kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 500Nm at 1650-4000rpm

Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive

Fuel use: 9.2L/100km