We’ve previously driven both the Macan S and Macan Turbo, now we see how the entry-level variant fares in this ever-burgeoning segment

Photos by Azfar Hashim

When the Macan first arrived, a queue was formed outside the showroom, all thanks to eager buyers who are looking forward to their first ever Porsche. Apparently it got so bad, the riot police were called in to prevent any sort of potential unlawful activities; even PR, marketing and sales executives from other competing brands were part of the queue, all obviously trying to gather some information.

Ok, so that was just a mild exaggeration. What wasn’t exaggerated, however, were that the order books were filled even before the car was officially launched. Heck, queries were made before the car arrived for LTA’s obligatory homologation (which apparently took sixty-eight years, seven months, three weeks and twenty-two days to complete).

Well what’s good to know is that after spending a bomb on the brouhaha launch event, Porsche’s local dealer have already recouped all their money spent for that...

Previously, we’ve reviewed the middle child Macan S and also top of the range Macan Turbo — we’re impressed with both simply by the fact that it had powaaah, handling finesse and still retained similar build quality you would expect from a Cayenne. Not that we here at burnpavement.com are snobbish and didn’t bat an eyelid at entry-level variants (we review anything and everything given to us by the way), but we’ve read so much about the two variants from overseas publications that we must sample them here and deliver our verdict to you, our beloved, equally power-crazy (as in bhp and Nm, 0-100 km/h) readers.

And so today we have the Porsche Macan. Let’s look at the figures first: 233 bhp, maximum 350 Nm available from 4,500 rpm, a 0 to 100 km/h timing of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 223 km/h. All those made possible courtesy of a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 16-valve powerplant mated to a 7-speed PDK ‘box. But here’s the most important figure: A price tag of $218,888… Excluding COE, yo.

As a luxury SUV, the Macan works quite brilliantly. Well initially you might opine it will feel lethargic and all, but the surprise here is how gutsy and strong the engine is at pulling the car past 2,000 rpm despite the four-wheel drive system and almost 1.8-tonne kerb weight. Particularly in Sport mode where steering is weighty and positive, suspension is sorted and the accelerator’s response is sharp; the Macan behaves just like a hyper hatchback. You could push it hard down a series of bends still, but the body movements will pull you back to reality, reminding you of its limitations as an SUV.

Running on SUV rubbers (235/55 R-19 front and 255/50 R-19 rear Pirelli Scorpion Verde) also meant the tyres tend to screech and complaint earlier than expected. However that, ladies and gentlemen, still doesn’t faze the Macan, in true Porsche fashion.

Traction control and co. are ever alert and the anchors provide positive stopping power even from illegal three-figure speeds — highly assuring indeed.

Even with all that sporting intents, the Macan remains comfortable as you cruise down the expressway at legal speeds. The cabin is seemingly well insulated against wind, engine and road noises; tyre noise remains obvious though, exactly like the Macan S and Macan Turbo. That aside, the taller profile of the rubbers here (the other two variants come with wider, low-profiled 265/45 R-20 front and 295/40 R-20 rear) also ensured uneven road surfaces — which seem to be a gazillion of them on our roads these days — are much more bearable for all passengers.

Inside, the Macan has all the similar credentials of its more expensive siblings, both Cayenne and Panamera. Build quality is faultless, and the cockpit remains the best in the segment; perfectly sized and shaped steering wheel, supportive seats and clear control buttons layout (once you've gotten used to it, that is). Displays are clear as well, but I’m still hoping Porsche would move the multimedia screen higher up; from my driving position, it seems a little low for my liking.

The rear bench, although adequate for three average-sized adults to seat abreast with ample head and legroom, isn’t as comfy as in a Lexus NX’s. It feels stiff and errs on the harder side of things; crucially, this is one aspect of the cabin that somewhat, forgive me Porsche, got on my nerves. That aside, unlike the S and Turbo, rear air-con vents come standard here.

As a whole, Porsche’s Macan is a good all-rounder providing enough grunt and handling finesse that should impress buyers in the market for a sporty, premium SUV that shouldn’t be too hard on your pocket come insurance and road tax renewal time. But before I forget, requiring special mention is its fuel consumption. Official figures courtesy of Porsche reads 13.9 km/L on mixed driving; I managed a decent 12.7 km/L — remarkable for an SUV by today’s standard.

So it has lots of good traits, this Macan. But I am still on the fence here — firstly, the fact that the rear bench isn’t exactly passenger friendly. Second and lastly, at almost $300k with COE, I could get either a bigger and more practical Touareg or a - you may not agree with me on this one - GLA45 AMG that provides much more fun…

If I have to buy a Macan, the Macan S would still be my choice. All things considered, that is still the best all-rounder in the range.