It’s sad that Porsche’s best-selling model isn’t its halo sports car, the 911, but a couple of jacked-up SUVs. Both the Macan and the Cayenne are Porsche’s biggest cash cows, the sort of models that make cars like the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder possible. The compact Macan is available in two flavors; Gasoline: starting at $62,000, and Electric: starting at $75,300. The bigger facelifted Cayenne starts at $84,700.

Despite not being in the same size category, for under $90,000, it is possible to cross-shop between the Macan, Macan Electric, and the Cayenne. Now it is worth noting that the days of the gas-powered Macan are numbered as it will be phased out in 2026. So if Dino juice is still your thing, it may be time to act fast. You can get the top-spec GTS for $89,000, putting it right in line against the base Cayenne. So while this wasn’t going to be an apples-to-apples comparison, I still wanted to see how these two gas-powered SUVs stack up against each other, based on price.

Performance: 2025 Porsche Macan GTS Vs. 2025 Porsche Cayenne

If you don’t care about practicality, more technology, and added comfort, you’re in for performance, and the Macan GTS offers a lot of it. Its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 cranks out 424 horsepower, 86 more than the standard Cayenne and 46 more than the standard 911 Carrera - woah! The V6 is known to be very torquey, and its 405 pound-feet says it all. Coupled with a seven-speed PDK gearbox and all-wheel drive, the more compact Macan GTS is a cruise missile, dismissing 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed rated at 169 mph.

The above numbers do not match the Cayenne here, not in its standard trim anyway. However, the Cayenne shouldn’t feel sluggish like an Acura RDX with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Its 3.0-liter single turbo V6 produces 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. While the all-wheel drive system is the same as the Macan GTS, the transmission option is an eight-speed torque converter automatic. Well, in terms of durability and smoothness, torque converters are way ahead of dual-clutch units. So, yes, the standard Cayenne is slower than the top-spec gas-powered Macan, but if you don’t need that extra oomph, you’ll be better off with the former.

Key differences: 2025 Porsche Macan GTS vs. 2025 Porsche Cayenne

The Macan GTS looks sportier than the new facelifted base Cayenne, thanks to the black accents around the car, larger wheels, and the quad tailpipes. However, I can’t say the same when you consider the interior. Launched in 2014, the gas-powered Macan is still in its first generation, and got its final update in 2019. Now, compared to the updated Cayenne launched as a 2024 model year, you get what I’m trying to say - the Macan’s interior feels dated, given the number of buttons on the dash.

The Cayenne’s 12.6-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen display, and a well-built cabin that includes less plastics than the Macan. Additionally, the Cayenne is more practical at the rear, translating to better in-cabin space and a more spacious trunk at 27.3 cubic feet. So, if you want an all-rounder compact SUV, the base Cayenne is the way to go. Also, do you use an Android phone? If so, you’d be much happier with the new Cayenne. Sadly, all the gas-powered Macan models don’t get Android Auto connectivity, just Apple CarPlay.

Now, if you’re a freak after a more performance-oriented setup and don’t mind the compact dimensions, the lighter, more powerful Macan GTS is a no-brainer around the sub-$90,000 price point. Personally, I’d choose the base Cayenne. Yes, it might not be quicker than the Macan GTS, and it sure doesn’t sound fruitier, either, but it offers more space and is better tech as compared to the aging Macan.

GALLERY