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 & 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.

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

Ride & 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 & 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, 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 & Equipment: Being a Porsche, you'll find plenty of features were 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 now quite a few examples on the used car market, although you won't be able to find a diesel model registered after 2018 since that model was curtailed then as part a rationalisation of the engine range.

In 2019, the Macan received a major facelift that updated the looks with a new full-width rear light bar, new bumpers and some new colours. Inside there's a bigger 10.9in infotainment system and there have been some tweaks under the bonnet, too. From here onwards there is a 242bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, a 349bhp Macan S, and a mighty 434bhp Turbo model.

The Macan received more attention in 2021, with another minor facelift. It introduced tweaked exterior styling and a reworked interior with the aim of keeping the Macan competitive against rivals.

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Both fortunately and unfortunately, Macans retain value well, hence you'll still need to pay quite a bit for even an early example. A figure of around £20,000 to £25,000 is the current starting point for a good, average to high-mileage Macan, bought privately or from an independent dealer. This will get you a 2014 or 2015 car with a full service history, and will most probably be the diesel version.

Up the ante to between £30,000 and £35,000 and you’ll snap up a good 2016 or 2017 car, of either the petrol or diesel variety, with a full history and reasonable mileage, while £36,000-£45,000 will get you into a 2018 or 2019 car as well as earlier examples of the super-quick Turbo models, all bought from an independent or franchised dealer and with a full history. Expect to pay upwards of £45,000 for a post-facelift 2020 car.

For a 2022 Macan, have at least £55,000 to spend. Finally, 2023 cars near a £60,000 used starting price.

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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 latest post-facelift 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 £180 per year. The supplementary luxury car tax is currently £390 per year (for years two to five of the car's life).

Insurance: Insurance groups range from 37 to 46, so there isn't a Macan that proves cheap to insure.

Servicing: Servicing costs will be high, too, as will the price of spare parts. Servicing is required every two years or 20,000 miles.

Engines: 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.

Trims: 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.

Our favourite Porsche Macan 3.0 Diesel S

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.

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.

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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.