2019 Porsche Macan

Exterior

Up front, the Macan gained a lot of features that are based on the 911

The changes are pretty significant for a facelift. Up front, Porsche added a lot of features that are based on the 911. The headlamps, for instance, now feature the four-point LED lighting pattern we’ve seen on every other Porsche available right now. These headlamps are standard on every trim level.

The intakes below have also been revised. The center vent now has horizontal slats only, while the side outlets are bigger and have wider slats. The smaller side vents below are also longer, while the center opening is almost perfectly rectangular. All these new elements give the Macan a wider, sportier stance. Finally, the apron is larger and almost as sharp as a full-fledged splitter.

The profile remains virtually identical save for the wheels, which can be had in new designs and 20- and 21-inch sizes. You can also opt for extra customizing features, such as a black dent in the lower doors, black window trim, or carbon-fiber mirror caps.

Around back, the Macan remains unchanged above the taillights, but the latter are brand-new

Around back, the Macan remains unchanged above the taillights, but the latter are brand-new. On top of the recently introduced four-point design, they also feature Porsche’s new, three-dimensional LED strip with "Porsche" letters. We’ve seen this feature on the 911 and the Panamera and it’s a sign that it’s becoming a trademark element for the German brand. The diffuser also features minor changes, but by far the most important is the new tailpipe setup with round outlets on each side.

Four new exterior colors are available for the revised Macan, including the cool Miami Blue you see here, Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic, and Crayon.

Interior

The first thing that catches the eye is the new infotainment display, which now measures 11 inches

Updates inside the cabin are significant too. The first thing that catches the eye is the new infotainment display, which now measure 11 inches, four inches more than the old unit. The revised Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system offers access to new digital functions, such as intelligent voice control and the online navigation system and enabled Porsche to eliminate some of the buttons in the center stack for a cleaner look.

In order to fit the larger display in the center stack, Porsche had to redesign and reposition the A/C vents. While these flanked the screen in the old model, they’re now much smaller and placed right above the center console in the revised SUV.

Another important change is the sportier GT steering wheel. Based on the one from the 911 sports car, the new steering wheel features revised controls and it can be equipped with a mode switch and the Sport Response Button. Both are part of the optional Sports Chrono Package that increases performance and adds the analog clock on the dashboard.

Based on the 911 sports car, the new steering wheel has revised controls

Porsche made further upgrades in the equipment department, but most new features, like the Traffic Jam Assist, the ionizer, and the heated windscreen, are optional. The new Traffic Jam Assist feature includes adaptive cruise control, which provides a more comfortable and relaxed drive at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph). The system includes partially automated acceleration and braking functions, and it also assists with steering in slow-moving traffic.

Porsche also included a Connect Plus module, which underpins various digital functions and services such as intelligent voice control and the real-time traffic information.

As usual, you can choose from a wide range of features from the Porsche Exclusive division to customize the interior. The offer includes new trim and upholstery options, including carbon-fiber and fine leather.

Drivetrain

The standard, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is a bit less powerful than before

Under-the-hood upgrades are less significant, or at least that’s what I’m getting from the company’s press release. Porsche only talks of an optimized chassis and fine-tuning that delivers "enhanced neutrality while maintaining stability and improving comfort." The crossover also features newly developed tires that improve grip and lateral dynamics.

There isn’t much information on engine upgrades, but as it turns out the standard, turbocharged 2.0-liter is a bit less powerful than before. Because of new emissions regulations, the mill was fitted with a particulate filter that has reduced power from 252 to 245 horsepower. However, torque the same as before at 273 pound-feet. Despite the seven-horsepower drop, the new Macan is a bit faster to 62 mph. The crossover needs 6.7 seconds to get there, versus the 6.9-second benchmark of its predecessor. Top speed dropped form 143 to 139 mph.

The Macan S which draws its juice from a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 356 horsepower

Next up is the Macan S, which draws its juice from a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 356 horses and 339 pound-feet of twist. Hitting 62 mph takes 5.2 seconds, while top speed is limited to 156 mph.

Finally, there’s the Macan Turbo, powered by a twin-turbo, 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The mill cranks out 400 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, pushing the crossover from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, to go with a top speed of 164 mph. This model can be optioned up with a Performance Package, which raises output to 440 horses and 443 pound-feet. This version needs only 4.2 clicks to hit 62 mph, while top speed is rated at 168 mph.

All Macan models feature a seven-speed PDK transmission and all-wheel drive

A diesel model is also available in Europe and other markets, but there’s no info on upgrades here. Up until now There was a base model rated at 211 horsepower and 428 pound-feet and a more powerful version that delivers 258 horses and 428 pound-feet. Both were motivated by a 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine.

All Macan models feature a seven-speed PDK transmission and all-wheel drive. Options include an air suspension and the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system.

Prices

At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, Porsche revealed pricing for European markets only. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the crossover retails from £46,344.

In the U.S., expect the upgraded model to be just a tad more expensive than the outgoing crossover. The current lineup starts from $47,800 for the base model, while the Macan S retails from $55,400. The GTS model comes in at $68,900. Moving over to the Macan Turbo, it retails from $77,200 before options, while the Performance Package increases the sticker to $87,700.

Competition

BMW X3

As I said before, this segment is pretty ripe with competitors, and the BMW X3 is one of the key players. Redesigned for the 2018 model year, it has a sportier design and a well-equipped interior. However, it’s nowhere near as aggressive as the 911-inspired Macan, so Porsche kind of wins in this department. The X3 is available with just two drivetrains in the U.S. There’s the xDrive30i model, which uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 249 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Sprinting from 0 to 60 mph takes six seconds, so this trim is a solid competitor for the base Macan. The second model is the M40i, which is similar to the Macan GTS. Powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six, this model comes with 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet on tap. Getting to 60 mph takes 4.6 seconds, while top speed is reached at 130 mph. In Europe, there’s a less powerful four-pot with 181 horsepower, as well as a couple of diesel offerings with 187 horses and 295 pound-feet and 261 horsepower and 457 pound-feet. Pricing starts from $42,450 for the xDrive30i and from $54,300 for the M40i.

Read our full review of the 2018 BMW X3.

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

The recently introduced F-Pace is also a solid competitor for the Porsche Macan, but the highlight here is the SVR model, basically one of the very model that can give the Macan Turbo a run for its money. Fitted with a more aggressive exterior, it also uses a massive, supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 that delivers an incredible 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. The SVT hits 60 mph from a standing start in only 4.1 seconds, a tenth-second quicker than the Macan Turbo with the Performance Package, while delivering the best top speed in class at 176 mph. Making things that much better is the fac that the F-Pace SVR retails from $79,990. That’s two grand more than the Macan Turbo, but $8,000 less than the Performance Package version.

Read our full story on the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR.

Conclusion

I’ll be honest here, the Macan gained a bit more changes than expected inside and out. Sure, the LED taillight strip and the four-point headlamps were obvious choices, but Porsche made the Macan look significantly more aggressive by adding new bumpers front and rear. The bigger infotainment display and the sportier steering wheel are also welcomed additions, but some of the more interesting features are still optional. I’m a bit disappointed that Porsche didn’t upgrade the engines, but to be honest, the Macar is powerful enough as it is in all trims, even when compared to its rivals. Sure, Porsche still needs a Turbo S model to go against the F-Pace SVR, but maybe the Germans are working on one as we speak.

• Love it
  • Porsche is keeping the Macan fresh
  • New exterior lights
  • Some new technology
• Leave it
  • Will only prolong it’s life by a couple of years
  • No powertrain updates

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche Macan.

Read more Porsche news.

Update History

Update 1-4-2018: The Porsche Macan was caught playing again, this time in the snow. Check out the latest images below.

Spy Shots

June 12, 2018 – The Porche Macan hits the Road One Last Time Before Production

It’s been more than a year since we first saw the facelifted Macan putting in work and not a lot has changed. And, like all Porsche facelifts, the facelifted model won’t change much compared to the model that’s in showrooms now. However, now that it’s in pre-production for, we pretty much know exactly what it will look like. Since we saw it last, Porsche has dialed in all the finer details. It now has the gloss black trim above the air intakes, and there’s now a single louver inside each one. The air dam extends the full width of the fascia and is no thinner than below. The only thing that’s not production here is maybe some trim elements around the corners and the official Porsche grille. As you can see from looking at the side, it’s also rolling on production wheels.

Around back, we can see that there’s a new overhang above the rear glass that now has more prominent fins on each side of the high-mount stop light. The taillights have a slightly different layout too, however, we can tell if that’s decoy tape inside or some kind of weird graphics – we’ll just have to wait and see on that one. A new rear diffuser, if that’s what you would call it, is in place with the typical square-shaped exhaust outlets. They are unfinished but should be chrome on the production model. In the end, you can expect to see the facelifted Macan debut within the next couple of months. Seeing it in green paint and dialed in is a clear indicator that it’s ready for production and with a new-gen model expected in the next few years, Porsche will undoubtedly have this thing ready to go on sale later this year as a 2019 model. Check out the gallery at the end of the page if you want to see more shots of the upcoming Macan.

Jan 4, 2018 – Porsche Macan Plays In the Snow

We’ve caught another glimpse of the updated Macan stretching its wheels, but – as we expected – nothing has changed on the little SUV since its last showing on May 5, 2017. It’s still rolling with the same fascias, headlights, and paint color too. This facelift will be rather mild, so don’t expect much. With that said, engineers have been testing these prototypes for quite a while, so there may be something new and fresh under the metal that we don’t know about yet. We could see updated suspensions, brakes, chassis components for a better ride, or even some new engine tweaking for a little extra power. But, until it debuts, check out the latest images if you feel the need to scratch an itch.

May 5, 2017 - Porsche Macan caught testing once again