In-depth reviews

Porsche Macan owner reviews

Name: Porsche Macan SUV
Brand: Porsche

“The Porsche Macan looks great, drives fantastically for an SUV and is even quite capable off-road”

by Carbuyer

5 Jan 2021

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.3 out of 5

Buy used for less at Buyacar

78%of people would recommend this car to a friend.

Owner Rating

6reviews
1reviews
1reviews
1reviews

Common Problems

Gearbox / clutch (1 cases)
Brakes (1 cases)
Electrics (1 cases)
Other (1 cases)
Electrics, Suspension, Other (1 cases)

Version

2017 SD

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I believe this is the best small SUV on sale. It really does handle like a sports car (I also have a Mercedes SL) and will carry 5 people plus their luggage. The build quality at least matches the SL, and in some respects exceeds it. Expensive to buy and options increase price markedly - mine has over £15,000 worth of extras, so a £50,000 car ends up costing £65,000 Mind you they do hold their value better than most. Do take out Porsche extended warranty (which is same as new car warranty) as although unlikely to go wrong - failure is expensive. Service every 2 years, which is convenient, however costs are twice as much so no financial saving. Overall, thoroughly recommended - a test drive will convince you !!

Reliability

5 out of 5

No problems so far.

Performance

5 out of 5

Can't fault. Diesel engine pulls like a train.

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Good economy but service costs high.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Review

Great car but beware the transfer box fails regularly around 30K miles and the car feels as if driving over a rumble strip in low gears. However Porsche acknowledge the problems and should replace for free if car out of warranty Its a design fault and well recognised but take a extended warranty. Otherwise a cracking car - go for it!

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

It's a great car.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Macan Turbo

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I was going to buy an RS6 - I didn't initially like the 4x4 concept as they appeared too ponderous - but the RS6 turned out to be too big for my garage. So I decided to keep my BMW 3 series and get a 911 as the Porsche dealer had promised that my 2 year old would fit in the back. She didn't, so I tried the Macan that happened to be next to it at the dealership. Not only did she fit in easily in her own huge (not Porsche branded) car seat with 6' 1" of me sitting in front, but the double pram fitted easily in the boot with only partial folding. I placed my order that day. A second child has since arrived and I, plus 5' 8" wife and two toddlers in rear facing car seats plus Grandma and the paraphernalia that 2 toddlers require fit in comfortably. The handling is better than my 3 series, the traction and performance are exemplary, and Sport mode allows for some fun but helps you out if you get it wrong. The fit and finish is great, with the satnav screen much better integrated into the dash than modern Audis and Mercs, and the 2016 upgrade made the system as good as any other's. I had a brand new BMW 5 series on loan while I waited for the Macan to arrive, and found the constant knob twirling though various menus a pain compared to just pressing a button in the Porsche. Once you learn where they are, it is so much quicker and easier. Conversely, if you want to, you can also use the Porsche's control knob to scroll through the menus, or the touch screen or the voice control. My fuel economy so far varies between 20mpg with a lead foot in London, to 29mpg when parsimoniously using the cruise control around the M25. Negatives - you can't see the extremities which makes parking a challenge, particularly as the 21" wheels are nearly £1600 to replace. The dark Volcano Grey paint shows every bit of dirt, the auto-dipping headlights rarely get it right, the front and rear armrests feel a bit cheap - particularly the cupholders, and I often find myself going faster than I realised. My Austin Metro made me very aware of every mile an hour that I was travelling, whereas the Macan seems to do the opposite - the faster you go, the less you feel it. Plus the standard-fit Pirelli tyres don't seem to last very long. All in all, it's a great car that does everything a family of 5 needs from a single car; fun when I'm out just with my wife, and cosseting when Grandma and the 2 toddlers join us. Big enough for a family of five, but small enough to fit into London's cramped urban spaces.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3.0 S 340 hp

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

First of all, I Would like to point out that the reviews of certains owners is not objective. They complain about subjects that could have been easily identified before the purchase, ie : space, navigation system, sunblinders, and consequently they were not obliged to purchase that car, but they did, so why ? Here is my answer: -it is a Porsche with its DNA -the design is superb, in the details it is fantastic. -engineering is from Porsche sports car, so do not think you drive a limousine. -some details of the rims , is far the best I Could have seen, ie, in the interior you have a material on the seat belt which avoid noise or cracks. and that is overall in the car, which is tremendously silencious at quiet drive, howeve, when you put the car in sport mode , then you realize that is has a sportive DNA, -my car is fitted with the air suspension, fantastic -the navigation works fine, ( just have to study the manual ) and I think not many owner do. -the gearbox is great, you don't feel any hesitation, and you are always on the good gear if you want to accelerate. -the sound of the exhaust at start up is thrilling and rewarding _ the seats are comfortable and the various settings allow the best driving position. - the anti-theft systems various on board are top, so you are safe and your car too, don't forget that detail, that many car manufacturer neglect. - just an option not to forget is the code PP8 , for a few euros , you get full leds all around the car. - I have just got one problem at delivery and since Porsche is not experienced with problems , and Leipzig being sticky to admit something was wrong it took 6 weeks to get it fixed. the element had to be dismantled and send to them for control, then they admit the electronic element which was the main computer unit of the car which had a Bug.( quite expensive I assume, but I never got the price) -since that and driving the car for 9 months , not a single problem for whatsoever. -no oil consumption after 13.000 kms. - tyres pressure has to be raised from standard to get an equal wear + 0,4 bars, otherwise I had a tyre wear like having tyres under inflating. so front is 2.7 bars instead of the 2.3 from recommended constructor, and the rear are inflated to 2.9 from standard being 2.5 . and since I have the AS I don' t feel any difference in comfort. Conclusion : it is one of the best car in its class, and believe me I have tested all the others on the market before making my final choice.

Reliability

so far no comments

Performance

5 out of 5

Just top, I could not have expected better, and in normal driving condition , I can use only 10% of the car performance quality. Since I respect the speed limits and remain a safe driver . but the car allows you to remain cool, if necessary just a push on the accelerator and you are gone from the crowd in traffic.

Running Cost

3 out of 5

I knew them before purchase, so not comment

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

gasoline

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Great car for engine and mechanics. Only problems found are related to glasses: no thermal insulation ! Cold and with condensation in winter, warm in summer. The same low quality applies probably to the lamp glasses. On anti fog lamp glass "exploded" recently and had to be replaced. Strange that P has gone to "cheap" glasses for this car.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

V6 Diesel

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I wanted something a bit different, something reliable, good acceleration for A roads, quiet and fast cruising for motorways, where an elevated driving position makes M-way queuing less stressful, plus sensible running costs for 20,000 PA commuting. This fits the bill exactly. On the test drive I immediately felt at home. It wasn't just the 18-way seat adjustment that gave the perfect driving position but the feedback from the steering made it feel like I was sitting in it and somehow part of it. Fit and finish are second to none (up there with Audi!). Extras are not cheap, I had to work hard to keep them below 20%, (£10,000) but frankly at the basic price of £45,000 it's a steal (look underneath at the superb engineering of the suspension, engine and feel the liquid smooth changes of the standard PDK gearbox) so they have to make up the money somewhere. Bigger rims look best and don't omit the PASM active suspension. Sat Nav isn't worth the money but I doubt you'll ever sell one second hand without it. Leather is nice as is the panoramic glass roof and LED interior lighting. Bi-Xenon headlights are essential. See how easy it is to rack up the extras - thats nearly £7K! One year on and I'm still impressed. This is no Cayman though. It can oversteer on bends if the camber is against you, and the engine and exhaust note is dull. If anything I would like a firmer ride and a bit more of a raw edge to it, it's almost a bit too civilised. There is plenty of room for 4 plus luggage. MPG is exceptional considering the available performance, I often see 50mpg after a 40-mile late evening Mway/A road drive home if I keep to the speed limits. And to cap it all there are the residuals. I'm hoping this will cost me less over 3 years than the Kuga I swapped it with. Would I buy another? Absolutely. But I'd look at a petrol (or diesel GTS if they ever introduce one) for a more involving drive.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Diesel S

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

The car is great to drive, handles almost like a sports car and has great acceleration. It's also quiet and refined. It's a 5 seater and ideal for me, my wife and daughter, but might be a bit small with a young family. However I do have some problems. Main beam didn't work from new and I had to return it to the garage. SatNav is very poor VW parts bin model. I've been used to TomTom and will use this instead. Phone system doesn't have voice instruction; surely a 21st century need. Sunvisors are really small and I'm going to see if there is an aftermarket replacement. I suppose the driving technology is what's important but disappointing that Porsche don't seem to have access to the best IT.

Version

V6D

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Biggest issue is space. It appears to tick every box at first and this is very compelling. However, the car feels cramped and if you are buying an SUV for space (or to carry kids) it soon disappoints, with rear legroom poor. I had a 911 prior and that was just fine for younger children so if your priority is a real sports car with a Porsche badge this can actually be a better option. So for me it was a pointless SUV, as impressive as the handling is for an SUV.