2023 Macan S vs GTS

Most Porsche Macan fans aren’t spending much time measuring cargo hatches or trying to squeeze twins into the back seat. This SUV is laser-focused on fun, putting signature Porsche performance and excitement in a taller-riding package. V6-powered Macan models, especially, make clear who they’re for: Drivers first, shotgun passengers second. Everyone else can hang on and enjoy the ride—and ideally, pack light. 

For 2023, a 261-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder Macan still squeaks below the $60,000 mark at $58,950. The four-cylinder Macan T kicks that to $64,550, but it’s a compelling performance value, with key standard features including Porsche’s Sport Chrono system and an adaptive suspension with driver-selectable driving modes. Speed demons will want a Macan S or GTS, with a choice of 375 or 434 horsepower from a ferocious twin-turbocharged, 2.9-liter V-6. All Macans get standard AWD and a dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic transmission. The Macan GTS is exceptionally pricey at $84,350, a $3,100 jump over the 2023 model. 

It’s worth noting that the Macan GTS costs about $4,600 less than the departed Macan Turbo, with the same engine. However, the glass-half-empty perspective sees it costing $7,800 more than 2021’s less-powerful Macan GTS. With a light dusting of options, our Macan GTS reached $95,180. Lavishly outfitted models can soar to $100,000 and more.

Yet beyond newfound muscle, the GTS, in particular, is a precision instrument for carving up roads or even conquering a race track. Braking is sublime even in standard form, the sensitive pedal recalling the 911 and other Porsche sports cars. A few rivals bring more sheer power—including the BMW X3M—but the Porsche may be the purest handling, most car-like SUV of its entire class. Other potential competitors include the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Jaguar F-Pace and Audi Q5. Each offers high-performance Quadrifoglio, AMG, SVR and S-line variations, but none are as singularly dedicated to performance as the Macan.

All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, and the standard suspension tuning is a revelation. Porsche leaves the door open for even higher performance levels for those with the appetite and the means, offering summer tires, an adaptive suspension, a torque-vectoring differential, and tungsten-carbide-coated rotors à la carte.

As ever, the Macan’s interior doesn’t blow you away with luxury, especially in its monochrome gray-black guise. But beginning with 2022 models, the Macan gets a reworked center console (with haptic switches instead of buttons), a new gear lever, a steering wheel derived from the 911’s, a new digital driver’s display, an enlarged, 10.9-inch center touchscreen and Apple CarPlay.

Performance: 15/15

For discerning SUV buyers—they’ll know who they are—the Macan’s sparkling performance is the number-one reason to spend big bucks on Porsche’s smallest SUV. Even the new 261-hp Macan T can zip to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and reach 144 mph. A Macan S ups the ante to 375 horsepower via a spectacular twin-turbo V6, a significant upgrade from the four-cylinder. 

Splurge for a Macan GTS, and a 434-horsepower version of the same V6 will scorch 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and dispatch the quarter-mile in just over 12 seconds. A seven-speed, dual-clutch, paddle-shifted automatic gearbox elicits brisk gear changes. 

On winding roads, the Macan barely feels like an SUV, flashing balance, poise and confidence more akin to a sport sedan. Natural-feeling steering instantly recalls Porsche’s sports cars, yet it never feels too heavy around town. The GTS gets Porsche’s powerful tungsten-carbide brakes are standard, with height-adjustable air springs and an adaptive suspension. 

Fuel economy: 13/15

Four-cylinder Macans bring a reasonable 21 mpg combined, 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. But the Macan S and GTS’ twin-turbocharged six takes a toll on fuel economy, at a respective 19, 17 and 23 mpg in the same metrics (the GTS shaves one mpg in highway).

Still, even those Macans easily beat the gluttonous BMW X3 M, which manages just 17, 15 and 20 mpg in the same metrics. The Macan also sneaks past the 17 combined, 15 city and 22 highway of the Mercedes AMG GLC 63. The Macan GTS also topped its official rating during highway runs, achieving 25 mpg even at brisk speeds of over 70 mph. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 9/15

The Macan hasn’t been tested by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) nor the IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety). The last Macan to be tested by the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) was the 2014 model, which received a top five-star rating. Still, the lack of testing results dings it slightly in our ratings. 

This being a Porsche, a roster of safety and driver-assistance features are included, but a few are extra cost options. Adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings and manual park assist are standard, but that’s about it. Self-steering parking assist, a surround-view camera, blind spot warning with lane change assist and lane keeping assist are all extra cost options, from $390 to $1,200. Order them all and you’ll add more than $3,000 to the bill.

Comfort and Room: 13/15

The Macan is a great place to be for front-seat passengers, including magnificent sport seats, an idyllic driving position and excellent positioning of the steering wheel, gear lever and controls. The back seat has just enough space for typical six-foot adults but gets tight for lankier riders. Passengers are less of a priority than performance here, but the Macan is also less compromised than many other SUVs for on-road hooliganism. The rock-solid chassis contributes to a feeling of security and calm.

Considering its pro-level athleticism, the Porsche’s suspension tuning is a huge plus: The Macan delivers a pleasingly supple ride, and optional adjustable dampers and air springs offer a broader spectrum of ride-and-performance settings. Even in racy GTS form, the Macan remains a smoother experience than BMW’s hot-rodding, stiff-legged X3M or Mercedes’ brutish AMG GLC 63. 

Infotainment: 12/15

Beginning in 2022, the Macan’s aging infotainment units got a boost with a sharper, more information-rich digital driver’s display and a larger, upgraded 10.9-inch center touchscreen. But the 2023 Macan still runs Porsche’s PCM 5.0, not the latest 6.0 version found on its latest models. As a result, there’s a learning curve for some functions, with too many dinky screen icons that are hard to get a fix on while in motion.

New haptic switches replace traditional buttons on the restyled center console for a smoother look. (We kind of miss the vaguely aircraft-style buttons, and haven’t really loved such switches in other VW, Audi and Porsche products). Wireless Apple CarPlay is a helpful upgrade, but you still can’t get Android Auto at any price, a bummer for the Google-based phone crowd that still far outnumbers Apple users.

Cargo space and storage: 8/15

The Macan’s weak link is its scrawny storage space, including a dismaying 17.2 cubic feet behind the second row, a metric worst in class by some margin: A BMW X3M has two-thirds more cargo capacity, at 28.7 cubic feet. Folding the split rear seat boosts space to 53 cubic feet, still nearly 20 percent less than the Bimmer and nearly 30 percent less than the ultra-spacious Jaguar F-Pace.

Console and cubby storage also trails most of the field. To its defense, Macan fans will know this going in: This is a Porsche first, a practical family car second. And the Porsche can still swallow a reasonable amount of luggage, including five or six roller bags behind its rear seats.  

Styling: 10/10

From its 911-inspired nose to its voluptuous rear shoulders, the Macan makes an instant statement of big money and bigger performance. The range-topping GTS adds welcome drama to Macan’s tasteful, streamlined shape, including side skirts, clear LED taillamps and a Sport Exhaust system with black-finished tailpipes. Four special GTS paints are even more extroverted, including a signature Python Green, a gorgeous Miami Blue Carmine Red and Chalk.

The Macan’s interior isn’t as dazzling as that of the Genesis GV70 or other luxury-minded premium crossovers, but it isn’t really supposed to be. This is a driver’s machine and a sober, logical cockpit is what most Porsche buyers prefer.

Is the 2023 Porsche Macan worth it? Which Macan is the Best Value? 

The Macan is one of the most expensive small SUVs around, but it backs that up with delightful performance, style and outstanding resale value. To keep the Macan’s soaring price in check, the new-for-2023 Macan T is the way to go at $64,550 (including a $1,450 destination charge)—albeit with a modest 261 horsepower from a turbocharged four-cylinder. 

For those willing to spend just a bit more, the V6 Macan S ($69,850) provides a whole lot more thrust to match the Macan’s athletic chassis, and might be a more satisfying experience in the long run. That’s still well shy of the BMW X3 M or X4 M and almost $18,000 less than the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which leaves more room for options.

As with any Porsche, it’s wise to keep an eye on the options sheet: Pricey options, including performance packages, fancy leather and Burmester audio systems, can easily add $20,000 and more to the sticker price. 

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Porsche Macan?

The Porsche Macan’s insurance costs are slightly higher than its primary competitors. According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $2,549 for the base model and up to $3,019 for the Macan GTS. The Audi Q5 averages $2,550 and the BMW X3 30i $2,293, and the BMW X3 M $2,943. $2,869 for the Jaguar F-Pace P340S, stretching significantly to $4,550 for the F-Pace Type R. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.

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