The Cheapest New Porsche On Sale Today

A four-cylinder engine is enough for the most part

With the base Porsche Macan, you get a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces a pretty decent 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This is the same EA888 engine that powers a garden of VW/Audi vehicles, such as the hot-hatch Golf R and the oomphy S3 sedan.

While the powertrain isn’t as exciting, it should feel snappy, thanks to the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and an all-wheel drive system. With the lightning-fast PDK gearbox and all-wheel-drive grip, this Macan can still hit 60 mph in five seconds, which is pretty impressive considering it only packs a four-cylinder engine under the hood.

For context, the 312-horsepower X1 M35i does the same in 5.2 seconds. So, being down on raw power, the cheapest Macan does feel quick enough for your everyday drives. As for top speed, the base Macan tops out at 144 mph.

Visually, the entry-level Macan is not pretentious

The exterior is this Macan is perhaps its weak link. While the styling itself is smart, without some of the equipment that you get with higher trims, the entry-level Macan doesn’t quite cut it. Remember, we’re talking about the absolute cheapest Macan here, with zero options. So, in that case, the base Macan offers only two free exterior colors: White and Black. That’s it. Also, the 19-inch wheels, seem a bit and don’t fit the overall aesthetic for what is essentially a sports SUV. The smaller wheels should offer a plusher ride.

Also, the squared-off twin exhausts are what you get with the budget-priced Macan if you don’t option it with the quad-tailpipe sports exhaust system, which costs an additional $3,000. Nevertheless, adaptive LED headlights and a full-width LED lightbar at the rear are standard, which is the bare minimum for a vehicle that starts at around $65,000. Porsche also fits the base Macan with a power tailgate, which is a convenient feature.

On the inside, you get all the essentials in a high-quality package

Step inside the base Macan, and you’ll almost immediately notice that this is a sporty and driver-focused cockpit with all the essentials that you expect. You get features like tri-zone automatic climate control, leatherette upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating functions, and so on. Porsche got rid of most of the buttons in the center console, but you still get electronic ones in their place that offer haptic feedback.

Looking at the dashboard’s center, there’s a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, which solely runs Apple CarPlay wirelessly and is standard throughout the Macan ICE lineup. There’s also the iconic Porsche analog clock that sits atop the dashboard, giving you that 911 feel. Also, the center console looks cleaner with the touch-sensitive buttons and the drive selector lever. By default, the Macan has a 10-speaker audio system, which is decent for the average audiophile.

For the driver assist tech, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, and lane departure warning systems are all standard. This is surprising because while most budget Hyundais and Toyotas offer full-fledged Level 2 ADAS as standard, the Germans barely go that route. It’s good that Porsche is offering adaptive cruise control as standard.

Making a case for the base Porsche Macan

So there you have it. The cheapest Porsche on sale today. It’s worth noting that it was affordable models like the Boxster that saved Porsche from going bankrupt back in the ’90s. Today, it’s SUVs that sell and Porsche had to respond with models like the Cayenne and the Macan, which is the brand’s best-selling model. So who should pick up the base Macan? Stacked up against models like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes GLC, the Macan commands a $10,000 premium.

Yet, none can offer the dynamics of what you get with this baby Porsche SUV. If you want sports car DNA that can double up as a daily driver in a compact package, the entry-level Macan offers a lot for under $65,000.