The Macan S sits in the sweet spot of the Macan range. The updated 2.9-liter twin-turbo engine blends with Porsche’s handling wizardry to bring performance and handling so close to that of the Porsche 911 that you won't believe it. But is it enough if to be relevant in a world where it must compete with cars like the BMW X4, Audi SQ5, and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio? Let’s dive in.

Overview

The level of interest in the Porsche Macan since its introduction in 2015 has been phenomenal, to the point that it has been the brand’s highest-selling model - something that could be attributed to its attractive price tag. Now, in 2022, the Macan has received significant updates but is still in its first generation. The major changes include the Macan S which now gets a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 from the GTS trim. This engine improves performance by 27 horsepower and 29 pound-feet over the outgoing 3.0-liter engine. Porsche made the effort to update the front and rear bumpers of the Macan to give all three trims a visual change. Inside, a redesigned center console is standard across the trim list and now includes touch-sensitive backlit buttons with added haptics like you find in the Panamera and Cayenne. Well, that’s it. The Macan seems to be getting old with not having the cutting-edge tech and still misses out on the standard driver assistance features which are very much present with the competition. So, what about the Macan S? The new 2022 model year makes it even more powerful and livelier than ever, but it comes at a cost. The S is priced at about $65,400, while the BMW X4 M40i comes at $62,400, the Audi SQ5 at $52,900, and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio at $84,300. Will the 2022 Macan S be a great compact SUV for you? We cannot wait to tell you.

2022 Porsche Macan S Features

Among the three trims: the S sits between the base and the GTS trim. The Turbo trim has been chucked out of existence for the 2022 model year. The S is priced at $65,400 which is exactly a $5,200 premium from the 2021 model year trim. The major reason behind the price hike is the inclusion of the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 from the earlier GTS, which means it is now capable of putting out 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. Seven-speed PDK and all-wheel drive come fitted as standard. All the major features of the 2022 Porsche Macan S are stated below.

S. } }

Price: $65,400.

- 20-inch wheels.

- Unique exterior trim.

- Quad exhaust pipes.

- Tri-zone automatic climate control.

- Leather and Alcantara upholstery.

- Leather steering wheel.

- 8-way power-adjustable front seats.

- 10.9-inch touchscreen.

- 10-speaker audio system.

- SiriusXM.

- Navigation system.

- Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Standard advanced safety features include:

- Lane departure warning.

- Front and rear parking sensors.

Some of the optional packages and features available with the Macan S are as follows:

Premium Package. } }

Price: $4,720.

- Adaptive headlights.

- Auto-dimming mirrors.

- Keyless entry and ignition.

- Panoramic sunroof.

- Heated seats.

- Blindspot monitoring.

- 12-speaker Bose premium speakers.

Premium Package Plus. } }

Price: $7,100.

- All the features from the Premium Package.

- 14-way power-adjustable sport seats.

- Ventilated front seats.

- Surround-view camera system.

A few of the standalone features available with the 2022 Porsche Macan S:

- 16-speaker Burmester audio system.

- Electronically locking rear differential.

- Adaptive cruise control.

- Lane-keeping assist.

Exterior: It is a Porsche from every angle and comes with a few tweaks

Porsche has nailed the design dynamics of the Macan, and to be honest, it was a real struggle. But on the road, you would easily recognize the Macan because it is just like other Porsches with sharp LED headlights and a huge intake grille. For the S trim, there aren’t many changes on the exterior, but it does come with 20-inch wheels as standard and quad-exhaust tips in the rear. The 2022 model year introduces a revised front and rear bumper. The grille is wider, especially with the S that has working side vents. The rear has the typical Porsche-styled LED taillights running across the edges along with the Macan S badging. A few of the notable exterior features of the 2022 Macan S would be:

- LED headlights and taillights.

- Redesigned front and rear bumpers.

- 20-inch alloy wheels.

- Heated mirrors.

- Keyless entry. (Optional)

- Quad-exhaust tips.

If you are curious about the dimensions, the Macan is more compact than the Cayenne and that makes it nimble and easy-going in a lot of ways. It weighs about 4,350 pounds which makes it sit between the X4 and the SQ5. The overall length is 184.9 inches long with 110.6 inches long wheelbase, and it is 76.2 inches wide. The Macan S, just like the standard Macan is 64 inches tall and even has a great 7.4 inches of ground clearance, meaning that the crossover can easily go off the tarmac.

2022 Porsche Macan S Exterior Dimensions

Interior: Definitely plush but not as practical and futureproof as the competition

Porsche has been known not only for its performance but also for the luxury inside the cabin. In the case of the Macan S, it builds up the same impression but has started to show its age. Most of the components and design cues have been carried from the outgoing model year and, to be very honest, they have not changed much since the 2015 model year. The instrument cluster, a 10.9-inch infotainment display, and the steering wheel come unchanged with the cluster having a 4.8-inch circular display for driver information. Personally, I like the slightly big tachometer in the center but if you consider what the rivals are offering, it is just not futureproofed. Anyway, let’s talk about the good things, and one of them would be the biggest change the interior has seen since its introduction. The button-busy center console now has haptic-feedback enabled touch buttons which are also backlit. So it’s easy and clean now with a bit of intuitiveness. The traditional analog clock proudly sits on top of the dashboard and that has been the hallmark since the very first Porsches. The materials inside the cabin will flatter most of you and that includes a leatherette dashboard, door trims, and handrest. There’s Alcantara on the roofliner and dashboard trim which elevates the opulence even further. Leather seats come standard with the Macan S, but it that doesn't include the seat heaters.

While the front seats will give you enough comfort, getting in the rear would be a bad idea, especially if you are taller. Porsche has been clever with not stating exact interior dimensions but we have the experience and it is certainly not a family hauler. The SQ5 would do it but better than the Macan S with ample space in the rear. The Macan is compact one among the competition, and it seems that way inside too. Adults will be fine with city strolls but not for a longer period. In terms of cargo capacity, the Macan S is still average with only 17.6 cubic feet while the Audi SQ5 offers 25.8 cubic feet with all five seats in place. Interior features that come loaded with the Macan S, including the optional ones are just below:

- Tri-zone automatic climate control.

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel.

- Alcantara trims.

- Aluminum paddle-shifters.

- 8-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seat.

- Memory functions and multi-level heating. (Optional)

- Panoramic sunroof. (Optional)

2022 Porsche Macan S Interior Dimensions

While most of the components are carried over, the 10.9-inch touchscreen display, as mentioned earlier, still has the same user interface. However, the new haptic touch buttons make it easy for daily use, as per Porsche’s claims. We found it to be better than the normal push-buttons on the outgoing model. As far as the features go, there’s Apple CarPlay support only. (Oh hello Apple users, the new Macan S is for you.) There’s a ten-speaker audio unit which sounds great, but if you want something better, you can get the 16-speaker Burmester system for $5,700 extra. A few of the other infotainment system features include:

- SiriusXM.

- USB connection.

- Navigation system.

- WiFi hotspot.

Performance and Handling: Now that is something Porsches never fail at

Here, I would say things are very interesting. The outgoing Macan S was a powerful beast but to a point. For the 2022 model year, the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 from the GTS makes its way into the engine bay. So now, the Macan S can deliver 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of maximum torque, which is 27 horsepower and 29 pound-feet more than the outgoing S. How much does this affect real-world performance? Well, the new Macan S does knot to 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds which makes it half a second faster than the older Macan S. The engine is still mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which is nice and smooth. The driveline is a rear-wheel-biased AWD, making it one of the most curated crossovers in handling.

It is wonderful how narrow the line is getting between a sports car and an SUV in terms of handling superiority. The PASM, or Porsche Active Suspension Management, is the updated adaptive suspension present with the Macan S which, with the help of the rear-wheel biased AWD and precise steering, does improve handling around corners. The sheer pleasure of driving this beast with all the above specs makes it more like a hot hatch rather than a crossover, and you can take it for a bit of off-roading if you like dirtying your car. And then there are the driving modes that change the overall comfort and throttle response the way you choose to. Lastly, if you want a real-world performance comparison, both the GLC 43 and the SQ5 do a knot to 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds. The X4 takes 4.2 seconds and is slightly faster than the Macan S.

2022 Porsche Macan S Performance Stats

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy ratings from the EPA are not available yet but given that the Macan S has the same power figures as the outgoing model year’s GTS, it would easily be able to push out 17 mpg in the city, a decent 22 mpg on the highway, and combined mileage of 19 miles per gallon. Nothing too special for the Porsche with its gas-only engine, while the BMW X4 M40i with its hybrid powertrain is rated with 21/26/23 for the city/highway/combined. Given the engine power, the Macan S is not bad at all. It can get up to a maximum of 436 miles per gallon on the highways, thanks to its 19.8-gallon gas tank.

2022 Porsche Macan S Fuel Economy

Safety Convenience

The Porsche Macan S in its 2022 guise is still missing out on the important advanced driver assistance features that are available with the competition. That is a real disappointment. There is just a lane-departure warning along with front and rear parking sensors fitted as standard. The available features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blindspot monitoring which will cost you about $600-900 extra. Other important safety features include:

- Dual front and rear side-mounted airbags.

- Self-leveling headlamps.

- Tire pressure monitoring.

- Stability control.

- Emergency braking assist.

- Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation.

Should you consider the Macan S?

We recommend the Macan S to those who have a knack for Porsche sports cars but as they are too costly to own one, this entry-level crossover might be the gateway to the experience. Design is good, performance is good, interior opulence is done well, so nothing, in particular, seems to be lacking except for the driver assistance features. Again, if you are thinking of getting one as your family hauler, you have the X3M and the SQ5 to cross shop as well.