Whether a certain segment of Porsche enthusiasts like it or not, the German performance brand’s bestselling vehicle is the Macan compact SUV. Offering a sportier driving experience than its competitors, along with seating for five in an elegant interior, the Macan’s lineup was expanded with a new T trim for the 2023 model year that further sharpens the SUV’s handling while also adding subtle styling tweaks and features. (Little changes for 2024.)
Related: 2023 Porsche Macan T Review: Sportier Doesn’t Always Mean Faster
Previously offered only on Porsche’s 718 and 911 coupes, the T trim adds exclusive cosmetic bits, including gloss-black exhaust tips and a dark gray roof spoiler, side mirrors and other accents. You also get larger, dark gray 20-inch wheels that are not available on the base trim level, along with suspension enhancements. What isn’t part of the package is more power than the base version.
Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman spent a week with the latest addition to the Macan lineup, and you can get all the details of how that went by tapping the link above. For a quicker rundown, here are five things we like about the Porsche Macan T and three things we’re not so excited about.
Things We Like
1. Distinctive Style
Only the most devoted Porschephiles are likely to notice the subtle styling differences that set the Macan T apart from other trims. But the restrained use of dark trim and larger 20-inch wheels in place of the 19-inch wheels on lesser trims lend a bit more aggressive look to further separate the Macan from competitors that include the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
2. Built for the Twisties
The Macan sits closer to the pavement than an average SUV, which helps lower the center of gravity for better handling. The Macan T takes things a step further, adding an adaptive suspension that helps deliver more agility and responsiveness without a penalty in ride comfort. Terrific steering feel and braking performance are part of the package, as well. And if that’s not enough, an adaptive air suspension with stiffer anti-roll bars is available.
3. Cozy Cabin
The cabin is not what most people would consider overly spacious, but it offers decent room up front and is extremely well made with top-quality materials. The front seats are firm and aggressively bolstered, and the Macan T gets an exclusive combination of fabric and leather upholstery with contrast stitching on the dash, doors and seats. The rear seat is not as spacious, but cargo room is decent for a compact SUV.
4. Informative Instrumentation
The three big dials in front of the driver offer a clean, informative design that’s appropriate for a vehicle with sporting intentions. The layout includes a conventional speedometer and tachometer, as well as a reconfigurable digital gauge that can provide a variety of information.
5. Boost Button
The Macan T gets a couple of tricks up its sleeve to maximize power from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A sport mode provides increased powertrain response, while a steering-wheel button can really crank things up for 30 seconds to make highway on-ramps that much more entertaining.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Touch Controls
Porsche opted to forgo physical controls almost entirely in the Macan T in favor of touch-sensitive surfaces on the center screen and console. Both require taking your eyes off the road more than physical controls, and the center console buttons are small and easily washed out in bright sunlight. The dark, glossy surfaces also tend to get covered in fingerprints.
2. No Added Zoot
The Macan T gets by with the same 261-horsepower, turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission used in the base trim. While not exactly a slouch, it’s 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.8 seconds is not particularly quick by current standards. The trade-off is a savings of 129 pounds over the front wheels compared to the V-6 of the Macan S, which helps with balance and agility.
3. Pricey Extras
In typical Porsche fashion, you have to pay extra for some features often found as standard equipment with other vehicles. The base price for 2024 starts at $68,150 (including destination), but it doesn’t include things like power seats, keyless touch entry, lane departure warning or a moonroof. All of these are available, of course, and the a la carte menu enables buyers to keep the price down by skipping features not desired.
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