Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo (and Macan S Video)

[carcrazed]

I saw a dark grey Turbo S yesterday.  Its rear end didn't look that chunky like the picture shows.

[evil_twin]

GLA45 AMG vs. Macan S

Give them a score, and then start deducting for every dollar more the Macan costs.

I bet the Macan is "better" but I also bet it can't be better and not cost another 20K on the Mercedes when optioned up to match what Mercedes includes in its fully loaded $67K configuration.

I think the Macan is larger than the GLA.  More akin in size to the GLK.

This.   Is the Macan not larger than the GLA?  Seems like you're jumping classes there.  Not to mention the 6 cylinders vs 4.   I'd say the Porsche can certainly justify it's higher price (as well as any Porsche at least....)

The GLA45 might be a good choice for someone who lusts for the Macan but doesn't quite have the budget.   

[quadzilla]

Macan

Length: 184.29"
Width: 76.14"
Height: 63.35"

GLA

Length: 173.9"
Width: 71"
Height: 58.8"

[Noto]

GLA45 AMG vs. Macan S

Give them a score, and then start deducting for every dollar more the Macan costs.

I bet the Macan is "better" but I also bet it can't be better and not cost another 20K on the Mercedes when optioned up to match what Mercedes includes in its fully loaded $67K configuration.

I think the Macan is larger than the GLA.  More akin in size to the GLK.

This.   Is the Macan not larger than the GLA?  Seems like you're jumping classes there.  Not to mention the 6 cylinders vs 4.   I'd say the Porsche can certainly justify it's higher price (as well as any Porsche at least....)

The GLA45 might be a good choice for someone who lusts for the Macan but doesn't quite have the budget.

It was a comment about pricing only, not about size.  You get the badge snobbery of a Porsche for the same price, assuming you watch your option box checking.

[Northernridge]

The Macan Turbo seems more serious than the GLA AMG.

[lebowski]

It seems to me the fun/value sweetspot for the Macan is the 'S' model at ~70k with the optional go-fast bits like PASM, PTV, etc. Extra power is always only a chip/tune away.

[dirtyjeffer]

i built a nice Macan S on Porsche's website...gave it a blue colour, added the Bose sound system and the keyless go system...$58,735 plus tax (incl. dest)...the GLA AMG, also in blue, is $51,390 plus freight (price not listed) plus tax...i think it is pretty easy to get a nice vehicle either way without breaking the bank, provided you keep the options in check.

[dirtyjeffer]

a "stripper" model is pretty silly...a base Micra is a stripper model...no AC, no power anything...heck, i think the base Yaris didn't even come with a passenger side mirror (perhaps that was a few years ago though)...the base Macan is still reasonably well equipped...much like a base Forester (at about $25k)...it still has AC, power everything and heated seats...if you want the fancy electronic nannies, leather, HIDs and NAV, that's what the higher trims are for...but the "good bits" are already there.

[OliverD]

a "stripper" model is pretty silly...a base Micra is a stripper model...no AC, no power anything...heck, i think the base Yaris didn't even come with a passenger side mirror (perhaps that was a few years ago though)...the base Macan is still reasonably well equipped...much like a base Forester (at about $25k)...it still has AC, power everything and heated seats...if you want the fancy electronic nannies, leather, HIDs and NAV, that's what the higher trims are for...but the "good bits" are already there.

Relatively speaking, a base Macan is a stripper model. A mid-level Sonata has features that are optional on a base Macan.

I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, and on enthusiast forums lots of people claim that they would prefer with a lightly optioned Porsche, but in reality most Macans (and every other Porsche model, for that matter) are sold with at least $10k in options – just like most BMWs are sold with at least the premium package.

[dirtyjeffer]

Relatively speaking, a base Macan is a stripper model.

every car has a "base model", but to call the base model Macan a "stripper model" seems a little silly to me...perhaps if it didn't include AC, power features, etc, sure...but it really does come with everything you need...all the extra toys are extra, as they should be.

[bluelines]

Totally agree. I do think the Macan needs the upgraded sound, since the base system sounds really weak. It also doesn't look quite right with the standard 18" wheels, so an upgrade to something like the 19" turbo wheels is also required. Metallic and xenons are probably a good idea, too. It does kill me that they charge over $2k for the xenons, but with the options I've described you're at $61,275, including destination.

Relatively speaking, a base Macan is a stripper model.

every car has a "base model", but to call the base model Macan a "stripper model" seems a little silly to me...perhaps if it didn't include AC, power features, etc, sure...but it really does come with everything you need...all the extra toys are extra, as they should be.

[mlin32]

I don't mind paying for the extras, since that just means there is flexibility for each owner to pick and choose à la carte what he/she wants. A base model Macan will still drive very well, and the Germans are very good at the details even in the basis model. I am not a Porsche guy, but I applaud them for retaining their European-style optioning scheme, instead of lumping things into packages like most other carmakers especially for the Canadian market. Built mine on their website and came out to 72,2k $

[Benhaze]

It appears that all is not perfect with Macan's handling: watch the 1 min video for yourself.  Note that the Touareg and the CX90 have no issue with the same test (As shown on the second video).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgVue72wqnI


If you want to be entertained look for the video of the same test for the Grand Cherokee. Suspension travel and emergency maneuvers are 2 things hard to reconcile... I was not able to find the ML test and there are conspiration theories about the JC results out there...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaYFLb8WMGM