Porsche Macan 2022: In Pursuit of Perfection


Porsche’s SUV line-up has successfully taken the brand to new heights in terms of attaining mainstream success. In that strain, the new Macan SUV aims to be one of the best-selling cars for the German marque in India with its updated interior and sharper driving dynamics

By: Somnath Chatterjee

Posted on: July 26, 2022

LF Says: ★★★★
 
Porsche is best known for its legendary 911, but its SUV range has taken the brand to a new direction, while managing to accentuate its traditional values. Porsches are built for driving, and this has always been the case with its 911 and Boxster. But when Porsche revealed its Cayenne SUV, armchair pundits were silenced into admiration as it had a driving experience normally reserved for a sports car. That was in 2002, and since then Porsche has basically invented the high-performance SUV genre with every luxury brand jumping on the SUV bandwagon. It does make financial sense as people do want a sporty driving experience within the cocoon of an SUV.

Porsche Macan 2022 India
 
However, along with the Cayenne, the Macan can be called as more of a driver's SUV. Its smaller size affords it an unprecedented agility. The first time I drove the Macan, I was gobsmacked by its dynamic prowess and how much of a sports car it feels around the corners. A Porsche should feel special to drive - full stop. And every car that they make should justify that badge.
 
The new Macan that you see here has been further honed and fettled to satisfy that basic criteria. To my eyes, the svelte shape of the compact Macan sits better with the design values of a Porsche which it upheld rather strongly. Compared to the massive Cayenne which also looks purposeful, the Macan is a wee bit closer to the sporty side. The new model sports some cosmetic tweaks, notably the redesigned nose with the coloured inlay. There are new alloy wheels along with a mean looking new diffuser at the rear. The tapering roofline and the low-slung shape does again give it a sleek stance.

Porsche Macan 2022 India

The louder exhaust in its sportiest setting makes you forget that you are piloting an SUV and it feels as enjoyable to drive as a Boxster or any other sports car that Porsche makes.

Inside, the button fest which the earlier Macan was, has been upgraded and is now in-sync with the latest Porsche philosophy of a big touchscreen along with a myriad of touch surfaces. The touch surfaces remove clutter and induce a satisfying haptic feedback when using them. A shorter gear lever and an analogue clock sitting proudly on the dashboard pretty much show the focus on driving engagement rather than mollycoddling the passenger. Sporting an overhauled interior, you get all the luxury trappings that you want and need in the new Macan, but the enthusiast in me could not help but love the analogue rev counter which has been preserved against the relentless onslaught of all things digital.
 
With much trepidation, I settled into the new Macan. The tactile onslaught of the mere act of turning the key indicated that the Macan is an instrument of driving pleasure. I drove the entry-level Macan with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol with 265 ponies and the throaty exhaust note certainly goads one into driving it with a mischievous streak. Then all in a flash, the new Macan still felt as connected to drive as the earlier one with exemplary body control and the reflexes of an athlete when driven hard. There is no slack and the steering perfectly puts you in the centre of the experience as there is so much directness that it feeds to your palms. The louder exhaust in its sportiest setting makes you forget that you are piloting an SUV and it feels as enjoyable to drive as a Boxster or any other sports car that Porsche makes.

Porsche Macan 2022 India
 
However, you can also alter its personality in a flash and turn it into a comfortable cruiser. The ample ground clearance gives you more opportunities to enjoy it rather than buying a sports car and keeping it locked in your garage.
 
Prices start at Rs 83 lakh without options. By the time you have cherry picked some essential trims and bells, the price will balloon to Rs 1 Cr plus. The Macan isn't meant for everyone and its sharper personality is clearly tuned towards driving enthusiasts who want a SUV that does it all. When viewed through that prism, the 2022 model just became perfect.

LF Says: ★★★★

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