Used Porsche Macan 2014-present review

The SUV is a naturally tall and heavy species – the antithesis of the light, nimble sports car. As a result, building a successful sports SUV is tricky, although not impossible, as demonstrated by the marvellous Porsche Macan.

The larger Porsche Cayenne hinted that it was doable, of course, even if its sheer size and bulk held it back from being an out-and-out driver’s car. The smaller and lighter Macan, based as it is on the mechanical underpinnings of the splendid Audi Q5, then truly confirmed it.

Engines and performance: There’s a range of punchy engines – no Macan is left wanting for speed – starting with a lively 249bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and encompassing a delicious 335bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 unit in the S, before stepping up to the tweaked and even quicker GTS and finally on to the range-topping 394bhp 3.6-litre Turbo version. On facelift cars, the entry-level engine and T produce 261bhp, the S 375bhp and the GTS 474bhp.

Buyers with half an eye on economy can opt for a surprisingly good 3.0-litre V6 diesel that's potent enough to rocket the Macan from 0-62mph in just 6.3sec, yet abstemious with regards to fuel consumption. This engine was dropped from the line-up in February 2018.

Ride and handling: The Macan sits among the best of the sports SUV breed, with accurate and well-weighted steering and plenty of grip. It's even sharper and more nimble than the already impressive Cayenne – its smaller size and lower weight are largely to thank for this, of course.

It rides well, too, and even the sportiest versions are reasonably refined. For maximum comfort, you'll want to avoid cars sporting the larger wheel options, but, in saying that, they're still fairly compliant.

Interior and practicality: Inside is an interior that lives up to the Porsche badge, with plenty of high-quality materials. It’s plush, rich and luxurious. The switchgear is chunky and nicely finished, the leathers are attractive and the fascia is very handsomely trimmed. The driving position is spot-on, too, and the infotainment system and its controls are all of a high order.

If the Macan has one flaw in this department, it’s the surprising shortage of space for rear passengers, especially for their legs. In fact, sit behind a tall driver and there’s leg room fit only for the very smallest of small children.

Trims and equipment: As standard, the entry-level Macan comes with 18in alloy wheels (19in on later cars), a powered tailgate, cruise control, part-leather seats, three-zone climate control, power-folding door mirrors and automatic lights and wipers.

Being a Porsche, it's likely you'll find plenty of optional extras from new. For instance, you aren't guaranteed heated front seats or a reversing camera with the 2.0-litre petrol Macan. Fortunately, original owners are rarely frugal with their specifications – even so, double check the example you're looking at has all the bells and whistles you're after.

Having been around since 2014, there are quite a few Macans available on the used car market. However, you can still buy a new one if that's what you'd prefer. You can find out more about that in our Porsche Macan review.

Alternatively, there's the Macan Electric. Introduced in 2024, it was all-new and totally unrelated to the petrol model. You can find out more about that in our Porsche Macan Electric review.

Facelift: The Macan has had two facelifts throughout its life. The 2018 update introduced a restyled grille, standard LED headlights, a rear LED lightbar, new colours and a 10.9in touchscreen infotainment system. The second, smaller update in 2021 restyled the grille once again, while introducing a haptic-touch centre console and higher power outputs.

"The Macan was designed in an era when buttons were all the rage, but in this day and age, that's not such a bad thing. If it were me, I'd sway towards the pre-2021 cars, because the physical buttons are easier to push while driving than the touch-sensitive ones." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

Interested in buying a used Porsche Macan? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy a used Porsche Macan for around £15,000 – if you're happy with an early high-mileage car. For a 3.0-litre petrol or diesel car that has around 60,000 miles to its name, expect to pay upwards of £19,000. Turbo examples start from around £22,000, while GTS models can be found for a couple of grand more.

As a rule of thumb, you'll need a minimum of £28,000 for a Macan from 2019. For a second facelift Macan from 2021 or 2022, have at least £35,000 to spend, rising to around £40,000 for models from 2023. Newer 2024 and 2025 Macans demand upwards of £50,000 in most cases, with 2026 cars starting from around £60,000.

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MPG

It’s the 3.0-litre diesel that’ll cost you the least to fuel, with a claimed average fuel consumption of 46.3mpg, recorded under the older NEDC testing regime. In our own True MPG tests, which echo real-world driving conditions, we actually returned an astonishing figure of 40.7mpg – exceptional for a heavyweight SUV and very close to the government's claimed figure. Naturally enough, the petrols don’t do so well, with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder car recording the next best claimed figure of 39.2mpg under the more generous NEDC tests. Expect to see around 32.1mpg from the S model and 29.1mpg from the turbo.

The post-facelift versions were all rated again under the later, tougher and more realistic WLTP regime that saw figures tumble. The 2.0 version claims an average 28.2mpg; S models consume 25.7mpg, while the most powerful turbo drops to 24.8mpg.

CO2 emissions

The diesel and smaller 2.0-litre petrol models aren't too bad for greenhouse gasses, emitting 161g/km and 185g/km of CO2, respectively, but everything else generates rather more. The S version chucks out 204g/km, while the top-of-the-range turbo emits the most at 224g/km.

Road tax

All Macans cost in excess of £40,000 new, so those registered after April 2017 will attract an additional annual road tax premium. Those registered before that date all have fairly high CO2 emissions, so will be costly to tax, too. The current rate for petrol and diesel cars is £195 per year. The supplementary luxury car tax is currently £425 per year (for years two to six of the car's life).

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups range from 37 to 46, so there isn't a Macan that proves cheap to insure. Servicing costs will be high, too, as will the price of spare parts. Servicing is required every two years or 20,000 miles.

Reliability

The Porsche Macan is a generally dependable choice, according to real-world owner reviews analysed as part of our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, but it's not completely without fault. While non-engine electrical glitches and infotainment hiccups are the most common complaints, owners also noted rarer, more expensive mechanical concerns like V6 oil leaks, rusted suspension springs or transfer box issues. Porsche dealers provide high-quality work, though their premium labour rates are offset by long service intervals.

To find out more about used Porsche Macan reliability and common problems, head to on our dedicated reliability page.

Engine

The entry-level 249bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is shared with the other Volkswagen Group products, including the Audi Q5, although in the Porsche Macan it’s teamed with Porsche’s own seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The 335bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine in the Macan S is our favourite of the petrols. It’s punchy and refined, and revs progressively to its peaky redline. The GTS model has a slightly more potent version of the 3.0-litre V6 from the Macan S. It’s a little quicker, but can’t match the rabidly fast Turbo, which is blisteringly quick – think hardcore sports car rather than SUV – and yet still easy to mooch about in around town, being smooth-revving and refined.

The S Diesel feels very refined and quick. It’s also very smooth, with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK gearbox working wonders. If you’re after the best mix of performance and economy, it’s the one to go for. It went off sale in 2018, but used examples now represent the cheapest way into Macan ownership.

Specification

Due to the vast number of options available on the Macan when new, specifications vary. We'd recommend making a list of your must-have features and keeping an eye on the equipment list of any car you're interested in.

Our favourite Porsche Macan: 3.0 Diesel S

The Jaguar F-Pace is a good alternative to the Macan. It's fun to drive and reasonably practical, plus there are plenty of examples available on forecourts for a competitive price. The V8-powered SVR is an absolute riot, too, but the four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are more suitable for daily use. Reliability isn't as bad as Jaguar's record might suggest.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 is a ridiculously fast luxury SUV, with a sweet-sounding engine. It’s practical, too, with plenty of room inside. However, it’s not as good to drive as the Macan, despite its speed, and it’s also extremely thirsty. There are lower-powered engines available in the standard GLC, but this version is more comfort-focused.

A 2014-2022 Range Rover Sport is a quiet cruiser, with a classy and roomy interior and a comfortable ride. It offers seven seats – something the Macan can’t match – but it’s not as well made and neither is it as good to drive, especially if you’re an enthusiastic driver. Unlike most Land Rovers, it does have a good reliability record.

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Interested in buying a used Porsche Macan? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.