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Subaru Unveils New Outback and TrailseekerNew vs Used: Porsche Macan
Porsche’s impeccable Macan crossover will enliven your commute. But which is the better buy, new or used?
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The Porsche Macan might be the “entry-level” Porsche but that doesn’t stop it from also being the best compact crossover money can buy. Thanks to it’s next-level sports-car-in-crossover-clothing capabilities, the Macan impresses all but the most jaded petrol heads. If you want a crossover that sacrifices virtually nothing on the altar of “practicality,” the Macan deserve to be on the top of your short list. Of course, even a used Macan isn’t a cheap vehicle. That makes the question of whether to buy new or used even more salient. The particular à la carte nature of buying and optioning a new Porsche further complicates the question, as we’ll see below.
With used cars prices up, the typically precipitous depreciation of luxury vehicles has become less so. In practical terms, this means premium used vehicles like the Porsche Macan are being listed much more closely to new models than would otherwise be the case. Currently, a 2017 Macans are, on average, being listed for between $40,000 and $60,000, depending on trim, engine, and mileage. Compare that to the new 2022 Macan, slated to hit dealers by the early months of 2022. A base 2022 Macan starts at $54,900 while the top trim 2022 Macan GTS starts at $79,900. With such narrow gaps in price and significant upgrades over the intervening years, whether to buy a Macan new or used is a real headscratcher.
Specs
The 2017 Porsche Macan offers three engine options. The base model comes with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder making 252 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. The S and GTS models both comes with a 3.0L twin-turbo V6, with the S model getting 340 horsepower and 399 lb.-ft. while the GTS tunes the same engine to 360 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft of torque. The 2017 Macan Turbo runs a twin-turbo 3.6L V6 making 400 horsepower (440hp with the Performance Package) and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. All models come with the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive. Fuel economy comes in at 20 city and 23 highway mpg for the 2.0L and 17/23 for the V6s.
The 2022 Porsche Macan has two engines (but three different tunings). The base is still a 2.0L turbo-four now putting out 261 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. The S model upgrades to a 2.9L twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The now top trim GTS (the Turbo is being dropped for 2022) tuned the same 2.9L twin-turbo V6 to 434 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. Again, all models come with the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Fuel economy number haven’t been released yet but we expect them to hew closely to last year’s when base Macan received a 19 city and 23 highway mpg rating, while the S got 18/24 mpg and Turbo (which lent its engine to the new 2022 GTS) at 17/21 mpg.
Driving & Performance
There’s good reason the Porsche Macan is the performance benchmark against which the rest of the luxury crossover segment is compared. Sure, you can get a lot out of a comparable BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC, but, for pure driving pleasure, the Macan is a cut above. The 2017 Macan, even in base form, offered a great mix of luxury comfort and sportiness. The 2.0L offers a good amount of motivation and works in perfect tandem with Porsche’s superb dual-clutch automatic. The S and GTS offer a good deal more power. Though they are only separated by 20 horsepower, those few ponies end up mattering in terms of straight-line speed, with the GTS a good half-second faster than the S. The Turbo, predicably, is blisteringly fast and a true joy of a daily driver.
Porsche never rests on their laurels. So, as with the 911 and the rest of their lineup, Porsche has continued to tinker and optimize the already impressive Macan with the 2022 reasserting its position as the best driving crossover around. The elimination of the Turbo doesn’t really change much, given that engine and its output have been ported to the now top-trim GTS. At its most powerful, the 2.9L twin-turbo delivers 434 horsepower and a 0-60 run of just 4.1 seconds. The middle tier S model is plenty powerful itself, with a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds. Even the base 2.0L makes 60 mph in the mid-5s.
But straight-line speed isn’t what makes the Macan a Van Dam-level best-of-the-best. Rather, it’s the Macan’s handling and ride that elevated it to the exceptional. The pinpoint steering and near zero body roll make the Macan feel as playful and spry in the corners as most sports cars (in fact, it’s better than a lot of them). The Macan strikes a perfect balance between luxury comfort and athleticism. The difference between the 2017 and 2022 Macans is the very good versus the very, very good.
Comfort & Interior
The interior of the Porsche Macan is the one area where the rest of the segment has a chance to catch up. The base Macan isn’t all that flashy by luxury car standards (with most choice amenities and trimming relegated to the voluminous options list). Despite this, most used examples you’ll run into have been optioned to the original buyer’s preference. So finding one that hews to your personal preferences will mean scouring that features list. Still, the Macan is quite comfortable, with stellar front seats and an impressive build quality. One real detraction is the small back seating area, which reminds one that the Macan is still a compact crossover.
The Macan is receiving a refresh for 2022, with updates to both the exterior and interior and these are on top of a prior 2019 model year refresh. Despite this, the changes in the cabin are fairly subtle aside from a redesigned center stack. The infotainment touchscreen goes from 7-inches to 10.9-inches and many physical buttons have been incorporated into the infotainment system. The result is a cleaner, more modern look. Cargo space contracts slightly between the 2017 and the 2022 models, from 17.7 to 17.2 cu. ft. behind the rear seats and from 53 to 52.9 cu. ft. in total.
Trims & Features
Before launching into the specific trims and features, it’s important to note that, like many luxury automakers, Porsche likes to upcharge for features. In fact, Porsche tends to take this to extremes, from offering a massive list of options (including things like Bespoke Floor Mats with Leather Edging) and charging absurd amounts of money for them (like the $5,000-dollar Burmester stereo, which is fantastic, but also five grand). As a result, the standard features of each trim tend to be sparse. This à la carte approach is nice for buyers looking for specific features while avoiding having to jump to the next trim to get them. It also means, when buying a used Porsche, you’re beholden to the whims of the original purchaser and their specific set of preferences.
The 2017 Macan comes in four trims: base, S, GTS, and Turbo. The base comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, rain-sensing wipers, lane departure warning, leatherette upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, and Bluetooth. The S trim adds the twin-turbo V6 and performance brakes. The GTS gets a more powerful version of the same V6 along with sport exhaust and heated front seats. The Turbo access the 400 horsepower 3.6L V6 and a navigation system. Option on the 2017 Macan include all of the above features (minus the engines, which are trim specific) and items like heated rear seats, that wonderful Burmester premium stereo, rear-seat entertainment, and safety features like blind spot detection, lane keep assist, and a 360° camera.
The 2022 Macan cuts thing down to three total trims: the base, S, and GTS. The base features a 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, a 10-speaker stereo, lane departure warning, and front and rear parking sensors. Additional safety options include blind spot monitoring, parking assist, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Other add-ons include air-suspension, sport exhaust, performance brakes, and interior trim options too numerous to list. The S trim adds the 375-horsepower twin-turbo V6 as well as the Porsche Active Suspension Management system, real leather upholstery, and upgraded brakes. The GTS offers the 434-horsepower version of the V6 along with adaptive air-suspension and performance brakes.
Used Car Algebra
As we mentioned at the outset, because of current used car prices, the 2017 Macan and the soon to be released 2022 Macan don’t have such a big gap in price. In fact, there’s even some overlap, with the base 2022’s starting price of $54,900 below that of many 2017 GTS and Turbo examples. Buying a used Macan will, again, mean carefully perusing the options sheet to see what is and isn’t equipped on any given example. If you’ve read the fine print and find what you’re looking for in terms of options along with the engine you want, you could stand to save a good chunk of money compared to a new Macan.
Optioning out a new 2022 Macan is a double-edge sword. You’d probably be getting exactly what you’re looking for, such is the personalization possible with a Porsche. But on the flip side, you’ll be paying for it. The base Macan may start at $54,900 but, since Porsche loves to upcharge more than Chipotle with their $1 extra for guacamole, you can easily add $20,000 on top for items you’d typically get gratis in your base Toyota Camry (like active safety tech).
2022 Porsche Macan – netcarshow.com | Shop Porsche Macan on Carsforsale.com
Still, a new Porsche is a new Porsche. If $50,000 is your cap, a used Porsche Macan S or GTS will not disappoint. But, given the narrow price gap, if you have the cash, a new 2022 Macan is particularly alluring in this market. Plus, the redesigned front and rear facia and an improved, more sumptuous interior make the 2022 model all the more attractive, literally.
