My Weekend With The Porsche Macan Turbo
It's been a while since I last posted a Turo review (here's the last one), but it's time for another one. Can a "crossover SUV" be more fun than a sport sedan? That's something I've been wondering about even since I first heard about cars like the Porsche Cayenne, the BMW X5 M, and now, a seemingly endless list of other sporty utility vehicles. This is a 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo, which was the first model year of the Porsche Macan in the U.S. It's the top-tier Macan, apart from the more-recently-introduced Macan Turbo with Performance Package, which has a name that is only better than some BMW X model trim names in terms of comprehensibility. Back to the Turbo, it has 400 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 406 pound-feet of torque from 1,350 to 4,500 RPM. This power comes courtesy of a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6. It's a compact SUV, and as such, features tricks like an air suspension that can quickly raise and lower the vehicle, an "Off Road" mode that changes the transmission behavior and other things, and a hill-descent control.
This particular Macan Turbo is a relatively "stealth" spec if you ask me. Black exterior over black interior, with the base 19-inch wheels says to me that the owner didn't want people to look on too hard. It also, curiously, lacks a sunroof, but it still features the Alcantara headliner. Anyway, in spite of the relatively unassuming color scheme, I noticed people stopping to glance at it a few times. In my neck of the woods, Porsches are as rare as they are expensive. The Macan, as you might expect from Porsche, isn't actually that flashy. The Macan's interior is a nice place to be, simply put. None would go so far as to call it the most luxurious car interior available, but it is well-crafted and functional while remaining easy on the eyes. The seats have a good amount of bolstering and are on the firm side. Thankfully, the Macan has ample space to hide junk. The capacious lower-door pockets accompany a middling glove box and practical hatchback-covered cargo area for what I'd say is an imminently useful amount of room.
As far as human space goes, it's just enough that I wouldn't call it "cozy". The cabin feels tight and sporty without being as confining as many other "sporty" vehicles, including my own Lexus IS. This, combined with the vast array of switches in the center console, makes the Macan feel relaxed, yet eager to go. Oh, and the steering wheel has little holes in it. For weight savings, right? The Macan Turbo is a driver's car, no doubt about it. When firing up the blown V-6, I was greeted by a cheerful 2500-RPM snarl every time. I'd purposefully open the windows on startup just so I could experience the sound. This car made me excited to get going every time I got in it. How did it do that? Once moving, however, the gears are shuffled with the smoothness of any automatic I've driven before in part-throttle scenarios. To be honest, the most obvious tell that this is, in fact,a PDK, is the sheer speed at which the tachometer snaps to its appropriate position when the gears change. Seriously - the first time I pulled a paddle I thought I was playing a video game.
Continuing the theme of refinement, the ride quality is smooth, without ever feeling bouncy or boat-y. My rental was equipped with the air suspension, and I'd say, based on my experience, it's a good option to have. Although some larger impacts could be heard and felt in the cabin, the highway cruises were comfortable and smooth. The Macan's one of those cars that feels like it's moving about 15 MPH slower than it's actually moving. However, let's get back to that raspy start up sound. What exactly was all that attitude about? Isn't this a luxury car? Well, that's the greatest thing about the Macan. Press the Sport or Sport Plus buttons on the center console, and it immediately shifts down a couple of gears. Throttle response seems to improve, and steering weight increases slightly. Nail the gas pedal, and after a brief whiff of turbo lag, the occupants of the car are simultaneously slammed into their seat backs. The car "purrs", too.
The V-6 emits a growl that sounds organic. No fake engine noise here, folks! On the up-shifts, the characteristic dual-clutch "fart" noises happen, and it's all just acceleration bliss from the next gear on to whatever speed you dare to reach. Let's not view the experience with rose-tinted glasses, though. I found the transmission's behavior in the Sport and Sport Plus modes to be not half as smart as some other cars, such as any Lexus with Sport mode. Even when I wasn't really going for it, it would hold gears quite long, and even under moderately-light braking, excessively early downshifts were delivered. I suppose, isn't a bad thing. The paddles respond immediately, and the shift quality is superb. On the upshifts, there's a firmness that says, "Oh, you want to go fast? Well, that doesn't involve comfort." I personally love that. This car really doesn't mess around. I only wish the car had a little more grip.