Porsche Macan Vs. Porsche Cayenne

For under $90,000, here's how the top-spec gas-powered Macan GTS stacks up against the base Cayenne

by Amreetam Basu on October 3, 2024, 07:00

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.

	2025 Porsche Macan GTS	2025 Porsche Cayenne
Powertrain	2.9-liter twin-turbo V6	3.0-liter turbocharged V6
Horsepower	434 hp	348 hp
Torque (lb-ft)	405 lb-ft	368 lb-ft
Gearbox	7-speed PDK	8-speed automatic
Drive type	AWD	AWD
0-60 (mph)	3.5 seconds	4.7 seconds
Top speed	169 mph	156 mph
Curb Weight	4,400 lbs	4,678 lbs

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

Porsche Macan Vs. Porsche Cayenne storyboard - image 193868

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.

Porsche Macan Vs. Porsche Cayenne storyboard - image 193867

	2025 Porsche Macan GTS	2025 Porsche Cayenne
Exterior Features	21-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear privacy glass, power tailgate, sport exhaust system	20-inch alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights, rear privacy glass, power tailgate
Interior Features	Leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, digital-analog instrumentation, 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, 8-speaker premium audio system	Leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with heating, electronically adjustable steering column, 12.6-inch fully digital instrumentation, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, 10-speaker audio system
Chassis Features	Adaptive air suspension, 15.3-inch front brake discs with 6-piston calipers, 14.0-inch rear brake discs with single-piston calipers	Adaptive air suspension, 15.3-inch front brake discs with 6-piston calipers, 14.1-inch rear brake discs with 4-piston calipers
Cargo Capacity	17.2 cu.ft.	27.3 cu.ft.
Price	$89,000	$84,700

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.

Amreetam Basu

While Amreetam hustles during the week, free time means one thing: hitting the open road. He dreams of cruising the Alps in a German masterpiece – a Porsche 992 911 GT3 RS or an F87 BMW M2 would be ideal! This 26-year-old automotive journalist loves every part of the job. Read full bio