2023 Porsche Macan

Pros: It drives like a Porsche; highly customizable; high-quality cabin Cons: It’s priced like a Porsche; on the small side; below-average fuel economy For those wanting a small SUV that doesn’t drive like a small SUV, the 2023 Porsche Macan is the best place to start if you’ve got the cash needed for its admittedly steep entry point. Actually, it doesn’t feel like an SUV at all apart from the constant cognitive dissonance of your forward vision being higher off the ground than every other sensation indicates you should be. All of those sensations say you should be in a Porsche sports car, which is pretty cool when you’re just driving the kid to school or going to Target. That’s especially true once you start to select from the extensive selection of performance options, or just let Porsche do it for you by going with the new Macan T or range-topping Macan GTS. We’d ultimately recommend those most. Not that there’s anything wrong with a Macan S (we enjoyed every moment of our two weeks spent with one), but if you’re going with the best small SUV to drive, you might as well experience it at its most capable and enjoyable. That would be the T and GTS. That said, if you’re really just looking for a luxurious, well-rounded compact SUV, the Macan may not be the best bet. It’s on the small side, returns below-average fuel economy and its standard feature content for the money is poor. If you’re not looking for driving verve, there are wiser choices. Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy What it's like to drive | Pricing & Trim Levels | Crash Ratings & Safety Features What's new for 2023? The Macan T is added to the model lineup. As we describe fully in our Macan T first drive review, it takes the base Macan four-cylinder engine and applies to it a choice selection of chassis-enhancing features from more performance-oriented models to create a smart choice for a driving enthusiast. We like it quite a bit. After more substantial lineup-wide changes last year, the only other update for 2023 comes by way of adaptive cruise control made standard. What are the Macan interior and in-car technology like? Just as we’d expect from Porsche, the Macan is customizable to your heart’s content. Aluminum, carbon fiber, wood and paint in a dizzying number of combinations are available. The interior ergonomics and driving position are also second to none. You sit reasonably low, yet forward visibility is superb. The sloping roofline really cuts into rearward visibility; an exterior design compromise. You can drop the perfect (optional GT Sport) steering wheel right into your lap, and it never obscures the gauges. It’s the perfect amount of thickness, is quite small in diameter and has clicky metal paddle shifters mounted on the back. The gauges might be old-style Porsche at this point — newer models have multiple digital screens — but that doesn’t make them bad whatsoever. …
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