2022 Porsche Macan

Porsche Macan 2022 Review

While Porsche is known mostly for their sports cars like the 911, Boxster, and Cayman, the German performance car brand was actually saved by their more mass-market models. The Porsche Cayenne was the first example of this, followed by the Porsche Panamera, and eventually the Porsche Macan. A mid-sized SUV, the Porsche Macan proved to be extremely popular – after all, who can argue with Porsche’s branding?

Much like the Porsche Cayenne, the Porsche Macan also shares its backbone with Volkswagen Group models. This isn’t a bad thing – if anything, history has taught us that even when manufacturers share the same platforms, the results can be vastly different thanks to a variety of small adjustments and changes which cascade into huge characteristic differences.

Launched globally back in 2014, the Porsche Macan is currently in its first generation, albeit with a minor updated introduced in 2016, and a more major update brought forth in 2019. The name supposedly stems from the Javanese word for tiger, pronounced “Makan”, and not “Machan” as us Malaysians would expect.

Previously there have only been two variants of the Porsche Macan officially launched locally: the vanilla Macan, and the higher-spec Macan S. In 2022, we finally got the third variant officially offered in the form of the Macan GTS, alongside some updates as it was part of a facelift introduction.

Porsche Macan 2022 Specifications

The spread of powertrains for the Porsche Macan is largely derived from Volkswagen Group’s myriad of powertrains – and in all cases they are implemented in a longitudinal layout with all-wheel drive. The entry level vanilla Macan gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine making 265 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Moving up to the Macan S, there is a pretty significant step to the turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine pushing 380 PS and 520 Nm of torque. Higher up is the Macan GTS that uses the same turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine similar to the kind found in the Audi RS4, though detuned to 440 PS and 550 Nm of torque - which used to be the output of the now defunct Macao Turbo.

Rather surprisingly, all variants of the Macan utilize a seven-speed PDK transmission – better known as a dual-clutch type automatic gearbox. As a reminder, power is spread across all four wheels as well, though being longitudinally set up there is naturally going to be a rear bias to the torque split which works well for performance driving too.

Porsche Macan 2022 Exterior

There isn’t an angle of the Porsche Macan that doesn’t look downright handsome, with its largely two-box shape blended with Porsche design elements. The tapering of the roofline towards the rear isn’t executed so aggressively as to appear like a coupe crossover, but it definitely adds a strong element of sportiness and a unique roofline recognizable immediately as Porsche’s.

The various styling elements are integrated in ways that aren’t jarring or obstructive, with a wide front grille flanked by fog light surrounds, headlined by headlights which have clear inspiration from Porsche’s current racecars. The rear light elements are connected by a red horizontal strip across the width of the vehicle, mirroring that of the most current Porsche 911 and Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman twins.

Twelve different paint options are available without delving into more specific customization, with a whopping fourteen different wheel options ranging from 18-inches to 21-inches. Changes brought in 2022 also included revisions to the front and rear bumpers, as well as Porsche Dynamic Light System units for the running lights across the range.

Porsche Macan 2022 Interior

The most recent updates for the Porsche Macan have improved the interior and brought it more in line with other models in the Porsche line-up. It doesn’t quite have the most elegant switchgear that comes in the Porsche 911 and Panamera, but it does get a nice 10.9-inch touchscreen display, part of the Porsche Communication Management system. This larger unit resulted in the movement of the air conditioning vents to just ahead of the gear lever as well.

Beyond this, the interior is very enclosed and driver centric, with the centre console rising high above the tunnel, and a variety of switches easily accessible by the driver. The steering wheel is also of a sportier design than one might expect for an SUV, with a drive mode selector positioning on the steering wheel.

The seat trims are a particularly nice point of customization for the budding Porsche customer. You can get them in standard black, Alcantara in three different colourways, a partial leather interior in four different colourways, a full leather interior with five different colourways, and a natural leather interior in espresso brown.

The 2022 facelift brought a new steering wheel and a different, shorter shift lever, as well as a new centre console that goes to a full haptic touch-sensitive control system for the switchgear. 

Porsche Macan 2022 Safety Features

In terms of active safety features, the Porsche Macan does have the option for active systems like autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning. Unfortunately it’s not as easy to determine whether the Porsche Macan comes with this as standard in our market. Fortunately, the more usual items like electronic stability control, traction control, and the like are all standard.

Porsche Macan 2022 Strengths & Weakness

One of the most standout elements of a Porsche vehicle is the fact that it comes with a Porsche badge. It has to be said that Porsche’s sedans and SUVs carry a lot of weight in the automotive world, especially with Porsche’s history of engineering and motorsport backing these vehicles. That translates to impeccable handling leading up to and exceeding the limits of grip, as well as robust powertrains that often punch harder than officially quoted.

But similar to other mass-market Porsche models, the Macan suffers from the rather odd issue of not having much interior space. Where other manufacturers look to provide as much passenger and cargo room as possible, Porsche sacrifices this in favour of incredibly well-designed, well-thought out dashboard and centre console designs.

Porsche Macan 2022 Price

Pricing for the Porsche Macan isn’t as straightforward as one would expect, as there are only listed prices for three variants. The Porsche Macan starts at RM 433,154, while the Porsche Macan S starts at RM 623,593. Topping out the range is the Macan GTS which will set you back RM 786,232. It’s worth noting that these are not the end of the road for pricing as you can customise your Macan quite significantly, though the Macan S and regular Macan already come with some pre-equipped packages.

Porsche Macan 2022 Features

For both listed variants of the Porsche Macan, the Premium Package comes as standard. This includes fourteen-way power adjustable front seats with memory function, Power Steering Plus Park Assist, self-dimming mirrors, a Bose sound system, and ambient lighting. Items like keyless entry and start are also as standard. Porsche’s in house air-suspension and adaptive dampers are included as standard too for the Porsche Macan S.

Porsche Macan 2022 Fuel Consumption

Manufacturer quoted fuel consumption ratings for the Porsche Macan variants aren’t exactly low, but they’re expected to be for cars of this weight and performance. The regular Porsche Macan returns a figure of 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres, or 12.3 kilometres per litre. The higher level Porsche Macan S manages 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres, or 11.2 kilometres per litre. The Porsche Macan GTS gets a combined 19 miles per gallon, or 8.1 kilometres per litre.