2021 Porsche Macan

There are four trim levels of Porsche’s smallest SUV -- Standard, S, GTS, and Turbo -- all of which come in the same four-door body style on an all-wheel-drive platform. The critical difference between trim levels is in engine type. Each trim features more power and race-inspired technology than the ones preceding it. The Macan comes with a starting price of around $52,500, before taxes or options. It features a 248-hp engine, a sporty dual-clutch transmission, and a limited-slip differential. Standard driver safety technology includes forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, and a backup camera. The entry-level Macan’s other notable amenities are automatic LED headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding mirrors, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, tri-zone climate control, keyless entry, and a 10-speaker audio system. A 10.9-inch infotainment screen includes WiFi, navigation, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay. Stepping up to the S trim delivers a clear performance upgrade for about $60,500. It has details like a 348-hp engine, memory side mirrors, and a memory driver’s seat. The GTS model has even more power and technology, plus the sportiest styling, making it quite the enthusiast’s choice. Pricing starts around $72,500, providing buyers with key features like a 375-hp engine, an adaptive suspension, and heated front seats. Opting for the ultra-high-performance Macan Turbo brings the price up to around $85,000. It has things like a 434-hp engine, curve-adaptive headlamps, premium leather upholstery, a Bose premium audio system. Porsche offers shoppers several ways to configure their Macan, with a wide range of paints and interior color schemes. An available Premium Package Plus includes auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, lane-keeping assistance, a panoramic roof system, ventilated front seats, and proximity keyless access. Customers can customize the brand name and trim level logo colors. Impressive tech features include a surround-sound audio system, adaptive cruise control, a carbon fiber steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, heated rear seats, and more.

The entry-level Macan uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine running on premium fuel. It produces 248 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. Like the other engines, Porsche matches the four-cylinder to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It behaves like an automatic transmission most of the time, with paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel when the driver wants to shift gears manually. The EPA estimates it will return 19/23/21 mpg city/highway/overall. The S trim takes the Macan and steps up the acceleration and top speed, with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 producing 348 hp and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. Choose the GTS, and it tacks on a 2.9-liter turbo V6 producing 375 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The EPA estimates fuel economy of around 18/24/20 mpg. The Turbo uses a similar engine to the one mentioned above, but it produces 434 hp and 405 lb.-ft. of torque. The Macan has a 4,409-lb. towing capacity.

The Macan has a similar interior to other Porsche models. Its two-row cabin features soft leather upholstery and high-quality trim. The dashboard controls and instrument gauges are sporty and focused on providing the driver with clear access. Porsche gives shoppers many options for customizing the interior to their tastes, with numerous materials and colors for the leather, seat belts, steering wheel, instrument dials, and gear shifter. The interior exhibits superb attention to detail, impressive build quality, and seamlessly integrated technology. Partial leather upholstery comes standard, with synthetic suede inserts. The front seats are very supportive, with side bolsters to hold passengers in place in tight turns. The Macan is also comfortable for long-distance highway travel, with a quiet cabin ambiance and many tech features that help keep passengers relaxed. Porsche’s infotainment screen includes Apple CarPlay and a WiFi hotspot, providing countless multimedia choices at users’ fingertips. The Macan’s extensive options include a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound system, a 16-speaker Burmester surround-sound system, a cabin air ionizer, and driver safety features like a surround-view camera. The Macan has adequate space for front passengers, though the rear legroom is snug for tall adults. Likewise, the cargo capacity is 17.6 cubic feet -- not bad, but less than many compact SUVs. Folding down the rear row expands the space to a decent 52.9 cubic feet.