His analysis is spot on, I'm buying a Macan this month for my wife (and she insisted on the Macan over the Merc GLC or the Audi Q5). We are getting the base as she isn't interested in a big engine and the price is in line with similar models.
great review, i never saw your reviews before, so i subscribe to your channel. i have owned several Porsche's over the years, and the one i am driving now is a 2016 Macan S. when i saw Porsche was coming out with the 4 cylinder, i had to go check out some reviews, and that is how i came across your review. i like this 4 cycliner, basically if you sit in all Macans all the way up to the Turbo, its pretty much the same layout. it all depends on how many options you want too add. Porsche makes huge $$$$$ on there option packages, but again its all in what you want. i would see no reason not to buy this 4 cyclinder, unless your a speed freak, and want to spend a lot of your money at the gas pump. i am a big Porsche fan, and you know you are getting quality. thanks again for the review, enjoyed it.
No GPS is mostly negated by CarPlay and Android Auto. The real question is how well it's been integrated to the steering wheel and microphone. I wish more reviewers would cover this, because it could (well, should) be a decision factor for buyers
Fair point John. Admittedly I don't see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as equal offsets to a lack of a built-in GPS. My reason being is that if you are guided by your integrated smart phone, it would require you to use up Data, which if done consistently could result in high data use fees depending on your plan. A built in GPS would not have that worry. That said, I'll keep in mind your suggestion on how easy mobile technology is to use on future reviews. I'll be on the west coast this week to drive the all new CR-V and I'll keep this in mind. Thanks for the comment!
In my personal experience, the data used by maps has been minuscule compared to apps like Facebook and TH-cam. The only real reason to have GPS built in to the car these days is if you're and iPhone user who hates Apple Maps (which I am), or planning to drive backroads outside cell range, which I have an old Garmin for.
John Heyer Yes of course it's not the same as TH-cam or Facebook, but it still pulls from your data regardless. I'm not a heavy data user myself (around 1GB a month) but I come close to my plan limit often and with frequent use of Android Auto mapping I could imagine paying data surcharges each month, but with a built in GPS connected by satellite signal and not cellular - it's all built in.
Hi John. Whether or not you like or hate Apple Maps or even Google Maps, you gotta try Waze. Especially if your driving your Porsche in a "spirited" fashion.
Now I am in a conundrum. Today I drove the Macan base and was so impressed I was ready to pull the trigger. I then drove a couple miles to the Audi dealer and drove a 3.0 Q5. OMG the 3.0 was crazy fast in comparison. Plus the Audi has more room, more options, bigger wheels, Bang and Olufsen 500 watt 14 speaker sound. My heart wants the Porsche, but my head says Audi. Oh and comparatively equipped the Audi is 5 to 6 grand cheaper.
So... ? Did you follow your head or your heart ? Most likely a third option ? Anyway most SUVs do not make much sense if you are strictly reasonable, I suppose.
When it came time to open the wallet and commit the heart won out. As much as I liked the 3.0 Q5, the Macan was just more fun to drive. Like Eric says, the Macan 4 cylinder delivers the Porsche experience and once you feel it, it is hard to pass. My delivery is scheduled for the end of April. The wait is killing me.
I only buy Porsche and Audi cars. I find Porsches are too under-powered for the price they charge. An S4 far outperforms a Panamera 4 for $50,000 less and much more horsepower. Minivans have about the same power as the Pan.
nasomaz The extra horsepower in the GTS made it quicker out of a turn but the reduced weight of the 4cyl allowed us to keep pace on the straights. We were told to floor it on the long straightaway and I admittedly was impressed with how I could keep up with the lead GTS!
This alone has me reconsidering the GTS, am sure if needed a chip can be put on a base. However I heard a base with PSE an wow, almost GTS exhaust sound.
I was really thinking to ge this car, but the exact same reasons highlighted by Eric made me not to. I can't spend 60K on a car that doesn't have leg room in the back seats. It is outrageous. They can easily get 3-4 cm more by working on the design a bit harder. A pity... Thanks for the quick awesome review.
The FWD slope of the rear window is too great. Making it not that much more useful than a sedan. What Porsche should have done is to make the rear end more upright. Vertical almost to maximize space out back. Too many manufacturers are doing this. Leaving only the Benz G wagon as the most useful luxury SUV.
its no where near as nice looking as the cayenne, so what makes it worth twice as much as a CRV or cx-5? fuel economy is a joke. 20 city / 25 highway? really? on a 4 cylinder? did they even try to build something of value? this seemed like a rush job with a cheap lure for sucker bait looking for a shiny porsche logo. WHAT ARE YOU GETTING FOR $50k?
I have 2017 a macan and its piece of shit four-cylinder Volkswagen engine not worth the money who ever Buy one Get one with Porsche engine Not a Volkswagen Engine.
My idiot ex just got this. Her moron husband got her the base with heated seats for about $500+ a month ($51,000 sticker) and while its nice and a Porsche no doubt, its definitely the low end of Porsche (like entry level BMW, Mercedes) weak engine, terrible fuel economy for a V4 and cheap suede on leather, no auto day night mirror, no nav, no blindspot monitor, no sunroof, no rear passanger space, limited cargo space and its noisy and rough on the road even with the AWD. I'll stick with my fully loaded 2016 Passat SEL Prem. for $392 a month at a $38K sticker with park assist, heated front and rear seats, moonroof, Apple Carplay, Fender Audio w/ High end navigation w/ all the apps, adaptive cruise control, lane dep/keep, autonomous braking, blindspot monitor with rear cross traffice detection and emergency braking in reverse, tri-zone climate control, hands-free trunk and keyless doors with remote start and premium leather with power lumbar and memory settings. Just get the Audi A5, Ford Edge Titanium, Lincoln MKC AWD, Explorer Limited/Platinum or Lexus NX 200t or RX350, better cars, more options, safer and better prices.
His analysis is spot on, I'm buying a Macan this month for my wife (and she insisted on the Macan over the Merc GLC or the Audi Q5). We are getting the base as she isn't interested in a big engine and the price is in line with similar models.
jason starek Thanks Jason!
The blindspot monitoring is like a 500$ option, and the GPS 1500$. Just tick the boxes? No one forcing you to be without them.
great review, i never saw your reviews before, so i subscribe to your channel. i have owned
several Porsche's over the years, and the one i am driving now is a 2016 Macan S. when
i saw Porsche was coming out with the 4 cylinder, i had to go check out some reviews, and that is how i came across your review. i like this 4 cycliner, basically if you sit in all Macans all the way up to the Turbo, its pretty much the same layout. it all depends on how many options you want too add. Porsche makes huge $$$$$ on there option packages, but again its all in what you want. i would see no reason not to buy this 4 cyclinder, unless your a speed freak, and want to spend a lot of your money at the gas pump. i am a big Porsche fan, and you know you are getting quality. thanks again for the review, enjoyed it.
Thanks Tony for the comment and for subscribing to my channel! Good insights as well!
No GPS is mostly negated by CarPlay and Android Auto. The real question is how well it's been integrated to the steering wheel and microphone. I wish more reviewers would cover this, because it could (well, should) be a decision factor for buyers
Fair point John. Admittedly I don't see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as equal offsets to a lack of a built-in GPS. My reason being is that if you are guided by your integrated smart phone, it would require you to use up Data, which if done consistently could result in high data use fees depending on your plan. A built in GPS would not have that worry. That said, I'll keep in mind your suggestion on how easy mobile technology is to use on future reviews. I'll be on the west coast this week to drive the all new CR-V and I'll keep this in mind. Thanks for the comment!
In my personal experience, the data used by maps has been minuscule compared to apps like Facebook and TH-cam. The only real reason to have GPS built in to the car these days is if you're and iPhone user who hates Apple Maps (which I am), or planning to drive backroads outside cell range, which I have an old Garmin for.
John Heyer Yes of course it's not the same as TH-cam or Facebook, but it still pulls from your data regardless. I'm not a heavy data user myself (around 1GB a month) but I come close to my plan limit often and with frequent use of Android Auto mapping I could imagine paying data surcharges each month, but with a built in GPS connected by satellite signal and not cellular - it's all built in.
Hi John. Whether or not you like or hate Apple Maps or even Google Maps, you gotta try Waze. Especially if your driving your Porsche in a "spirited" fashion.
Would you pay 45K on this Macan 2017 (10K miles) with navigation, sunroof and upgraded wheels and rims?
Now I am in a conundrum. Today I drove the Macan base and was so impressed I was ready to pull the trigger. I then drove a couple miles to the Audi dealer and drove a 3.0 Q5. OMG the 3.0 was crazy fast in comparison. Plus the Audi has more room, more options, bigger wheels, Bang and Olufsen 500 watt 14 speaker sound. My heart wants the Porsche, but my head says Audi. Oh and comparatively equipped the Audi is 5 to 6 grand cheaper.
So... ? Did you follow your head or your heart ? Most likely a third option ?
Anyway most SUVs do not make much sense if you are strictly reasonable, I suppose.
When it came time to open the wallet and commit the heart won out. As much as I liked the 3.0 Q5, the Macan was just more fun to drive. Like Eric says, the Macan 4 cylinder delivers the Porsche experience and once you feel it, it is hard to pass. My delivery is scheduled for the end of April. The wait is killing me.
I only buy Porsche and Audi cars. I find Porsches are too under-powered for the price they charge. An S4 far outperforms a Panamera 4 for $50,000 less and much more horsepower. Minivans have about the same power as the Pan.
I didn't see you open the hood to have a look at the 4cyl engine, I'll look elsewhere, otherwise great vid
Surprised it was able to keep up with the GTS on the track.... interesting
nasomaz The extra horsepower in the GTS made it quicker out of a turn but the reduced weight of the 4cyl allowed us to keep pace on the straights. We were told to floor it on the long straightaway and I admittedly was impressed with how I could keep up with the lead GTS!
This alone has me reconsidering the GTS, am sure if needed a chip can be put on a base. However I heard a base with PSE an wow, almost GTS exhaust sound.
one of the best reviews i've seen thank you!
Rose Bamfo Thanks Rose! Appreciate the feedback.
I was really thinking to ge this car, but the exact same reasons highlighted by Eric made me not to. I can't spend 60K on a car that doesn't have leg room in the back seats. It is outrageous. They can easily get 3-4 cm more by working on the design a bit harder.
A pity...
Thanks for the quick awesome review.
temax My pleasure! thanks for the comment!
The FWD slope of the rear window is too great. Making it not that much more useful than a sedan. What Porsche should have done is to make the rear end more upright. Vertical almost to maximize space out back. Too many manufacturers are doing this. Leaving only the Benz G wagon as the most useful luxury SUV.
Great review!
Thanks Abe! Appreciate the feedback.
Por Sha! Otherwise very nice review.
I'd like that in a plug in hybrid...
Bernard Odom I'd like to see that too! I also don't think it's too far-fetched an idea.
It way overpriced for just a 4 cylinder. Around 65 to 75k here.
its no where near as nice looking as the cayenne, so what makes it worth twice as much as a CRV or cx-5? fuel economy is a joke. 20 city / 25 highway? really? on a 4 cylinder? did they even try to build something of value? this seemed like a rush job with a cheap lure for sucker bait looking for a shiny porsche logo. WHAT ARE YOU GETTING FOR $50k?
I have 2017 a macan and its piece of shit four-cylinder Volkswagen engine not worth the money who ever Buy one Get one with Porsche engine Not a Volkswagen Engine.
ok for me. all i want is a porsche..
Very fast.
honestly whose idiot idea was it to remove nav in this car. pretty much killed any reason to buy this car. pathetic.
Overpriced by good 10-15K !
My idiot ex just got this. Her moron husband got her the base with heated seats for about $500+ a month ($51,000 sticker) and while its nice and a Porsche no doubt, its definitely the low end of Porsche (like entry level BMW, Mercedes) weak engine, terrible fuel economy for a V4 and cheap suede on leather, no auto day night mirror, no nav, no blindspot monitor, no sunroof, no rear passanger space, limited cargo space and its noisy and rough on the road even with the AWD. I'll stick with my fully loaded 2016 Passat SEL Prem. for $392 a month at a $38K sticker with park assist, heated front and rear seats, moonroof, Apple Carplay, Fender Audio w/ High end navigation w/ all the apps, adaptive cruise control, lane dep/keep, autonomous braking, blindspot monitor with rear cross traffice detection and emergency braking in reverse, tri-zone climate control, hands-free trunk and keyless doors with remote start and premium leather with power lumbar and memory settings. Just get the Audi A5, Ford Edge Titanium, Lincoln MKC AWD, Explorer Limited/Platinum or Lexus NX 200t or RX350, better cars, more options, safer and better prices.
Sounds like you miss your ex.....
davsny5 no such V4. It's in-line. Good luck in love.
dang dude, she's banging another guy and got a porsche out of it. i'd be pissed to. being dumped and alone sux!
Feel like you're kinda biased considering you're also mentioning your ex whom you hate
well at the end of the day she drives a Porsche and u drive a VW