Porsche's most affordable gas-powered crossover is here for now, but it won't be forever and here's why it's still a banger when you spec it right
by Amreetam Basu on December 16, 2024, 14:30It’s almost 2025, and Porsche is still keeping the gas-powered Macan that received a facelift back in 2019. Yes, it’s an oldie among the other Porsche models. An all-new Macan is already here though, but it’s in EV form. The Macan Electric is a much better vehicle than the Macan ICE as it is more modern, luxurious, and potent. However, electric vehicles aren’t doing well in the U.S. market as they did a few years ago, and killing the Macan ICE altogether could mean that the nameplate may no longer retain its tag of being the most popular Porsche in the country.
So for now, the Macan ICE will sell alongside the Macan Electric until 2026, and this is possibly the final year before it goes away for good, and probably never return in internal combustion form. From an emotional point of view, yes, the Macan is still a banger and you should shortlist it if you have the budget. But should you still get one in 2025 over the heavily revamped and highly efficient Macan Electric? Let’s learn more about Porsche’s most affordable compact crossover before it goes out of production.
What’s New
For 2025, Porsche will keep the Macan ICE identical to the outgoing model years. It’s just that for 2025, the Macan Electric, which is the second-generation model, has been added to the lineup. We have a separate model overview on the Macan Electric, check it out here. Here’s the trim list of the 2025 Porsche Macan:
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Macan
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Macan T
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Macan S
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Macan GTS
2025 Porsche Macan Specifications
The Macan ICE is available in two engine options: a four-cylinder and a V6 with two different sets of tunes. The Base and T trims get the trusty EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the VW family. It pumps out a respectable 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, enough to get you from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds flat. Feeling a need for speed? choose the optional Sport Chrono package (standard on the T) and shave that time down to 5.8 seconds with launch control. Plus, you can hit a top speed of 144 mph on those summer tires.
But if you’re craving more oomph, the Macan S and GTS are where it’s at. Both pack a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 but with different levels of fury. The S boasts 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, launching you to 60 mph in a swift 4.6 seconds. It tops out at 161 mph. Then there’s the GTS, the performance king, with a monstrous 434 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Hold on tight because this one can hit 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 169 mph!
No matter which engine you choose, every Macan comes standard with all-wheel drive and a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It might seem strange that the Macan features a twin-turbo V6 while the base Cayenne has a single-turbo V6. The Macan also gets a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (PDK) instead of the traditional torque converter automatic found in the bigger Cayenne. This difference likely comes down to where the vehicles are built. The Macan shares a production line with the Panamera in Leipzig, Germany. So, it makes sense that the Macan’s V6 and gearbox are more similar to the Panamera’s, reflecting production efficiency.
Even though it’s a sporty SUV, the Macan can tow a decent amount! All trims can pull up to 4,409 pounds when properly equipped. It even has 7.9 inches of ground clearance, so you should be able to handle those rough dirt roads with ease. Now, don’t get any crazy off-roading ideas—this is still a Porsche, after all. Although, the 2025 Porsche Macan GTS does have air suspension that can raise it up to 8.9 inches, just in case.
So, which Macan is the sweet spot? For me, it’s gotta be the 2025 Porsche Macan S. It strikes that perfect balance between the peppy four-cylinder models and the wild-child GTS. You get a serious power boost with the V6 (375 horsepower isn’t a child’s play), impressive handling dynamics (thanks to adaptive dampers), and it won’t completely break the bank. It’s the Goldilocks of the Macan lineup!
Category | 2025 Porsche Macan | 2025 Porsche Macan T | 2025 Porsche Macan S | 2025 Porsche Macan GTS |
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Powertrain | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 | 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 | 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 |
Gearbox | 7-speed PDK | 7-speed PDK | 7-speed PDK | 7-speed PDK |
Horsepower | 261 hp | 261 hp | 375 hp | 434 hp |
Torque | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 383 lb-ft | 405 lb-ft |
0-60 mph | 6.0 seconds | 5.8 seconds | 4.6 seconds | 4.3 seconds |
Top Speed | 144 mph | 144 mph | 161 mph | 169 mph |
Exterior Highlights
The Macan’s design isn’t exactly turning heads at the moment, because it’s popular and, unlike its successor, the Macan Electric, it’s stuck in Porsche’s long-gone design philosophy. It’s been around for a while now, and the aesthetic hasn’t changed drastically. Sure, it’s definitely a Porsche—you can see it in the headlights, those signature daytime running lights, and the sporty front end that draws heavily from the iconic 911. But from the side, it’s a bit…well, plain. It’s not trying to be a super sleek coupe SUV, and it’s not as boxy as something like a BMW X3.
That said, it still has a sporty and purposeful vibe, especially in the higher trims. The base model comes with 19-inch wheels, which are a bit underwhelming, but the other trims get 20s, and the GTS rocks 21s! And if those aren’t your style, Porsche also offers a huge selection of wheels in different sizes (up to 21 inches) and colors like silver, black, red, and even gold! Plus, you can add cool decals and liveries to really make it your own.
Each trim level gets some unique touches, too. The Macan T features gray accents on the bumpers and mirrors, while the S and GTS get red brake calipers. On the other hand, the GTS goes even further with black wheels, darkened lights, and a black bumper insert. A power liftgate comes standard on all Macans, but if you want that open-air feeling, you can even opt for a panoramic sunroof.
Interior Highlights
Stepping inside the gas-powered Macan, you can tell it’s not the newest kid on the block. The dashboard is pretty traditional, with physical buttons and a good old-fashioned shifter in the center console. No fancy digital gauge cluster here either! I mean, it’s not a complete analog setup, but compared to the sleek, tech-filled cabin of the new electric Macan, it feels a bit dated. Now, don’t get me wrong, the interior is still very well-built. Everything feels solid and the materials are decent, but nothing outstanding like you’d get with the new Macan Electric.
Space-wise, it should be a bit tight, especially in the backseat. Rear passengers might find themselves bumping their heads on that sloping roofline, and getting in and out can be a bit awkward with those narrow door openings. The electric Macan with around an inch or two of extra legroom in the rear, actually addresses some of these issues with a more spacious cabin. You sit lower in the gas-powered Macan than you might expect from an SUV, which gives it a sportier feel. But that small rear window and sloping roofline make visibility a challenge. Thank goodness for the backup camera and parking sensors!
Some features you might expect as standard are actually optional extras. You do get heated power front seats, keyless entry, and tri-zone climate control, but things like a heated steering wheel and full leather seats cost extra. The electric Macan, on the other hand, comes with a more generous list of standard features, such as heated leather seats at the front and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The infotainment system is decent, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and navigation. But Android Auto users are still out of luck! Also, that lack of a digital gauge cluster feels a bit out of place in a modern luxury SUV.
Finally, let’s talk cargo space. The 17.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats is smaller than you’d expect. Folding down the seats helps, but they don’t lie completely flat. Again, the electric Macan has the edge here with almost 21 cubic feet of space, including the frunk.
2025 Porsche Macan Price
The 2025 Macan starts at $62,900 and stretches to $89,000 with the top-spec Macan GTS. With the standard Macan ICE, you can save $12,400 when compared to the base Macan Electric RWD. At the higher end of the spectrum, the Macan GTS feels like a killer deal when compared to the Macan Turbo Electric while saving you slightly more than $16,000.
2025 Porsche Macan Vs. Competition
2025 Audi Q5
Unlike Porsche, Audi isn’t messing around with its most popular mid-size SUV, the Q5. For 2025, the Q5 enters its third generation with combustion engines and not battery electric vehicles. It’s based on Audi’s PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) platform, but the powertrain specs remain the same as before. In typical Audi style, the light animations of the new-gen Q5 are simply otherworldly, thanks to the QLED technology which can change and animate other drivers with warning signals and more. The new Q5 gets a more potent 268-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-pot, the same EA888 mill found in the 2025 Porsche Macan base. In addition, the more powerful SQ5 features a 362-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo V6, that makes 13 more horses than before. The new SQ5 can hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. At the time of writing this article, Audi hasn’t launched the new Q5 in the U.S., which means the prices aren’t out yet. However, you can expect the 2025 models to start at around $49,000.
2025 BMW X3
Like the Q5, the X3 is BMW’s best-selling crossover of all time. It’s stylish, practical, luxurious, and offers enough oomph to destroy sports cars even. It enters its fourth generation for 2025, bringing new designs, new tech on the inside, and notable performance upgrades, especially in the X3 M50 version. As for the powertrain options, you get two options: one is a 2.0-liter turbo four with a 48-volt mild hybrid system that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque (seven horses and 37 pound-feet of torque more than the outgoing model). The more potent M50 trim uses a 3.0-liter turbo straight six (B58) engine with a similar 48-volt mild hybrid system. This engine is rated at 393 horsepower (11 more than before) and 428 pound-feet of torque (59 more than the outgoing M40i). With so much performance, the 2025 X3 M50 xDrive can do 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, which is sports car fast, in my opinion. Tempting right? It will cost you $64,100 to own this bad boy. But, if you want to save about $15,000, get the X3 30 xDrive.
FAQs
Is Porsche Macan changing in 2025
While the gas-powered Porsche Macan will be a carry-over, the Macan Electric will join the lineup for 2025.
How much is the Macan 2025
Prices for the 2025 Macan start at $62,900 with the top-spec Macan CTS costing $89,000.
Is Porsche discontinuing the Macan?
No, Porsche is not discontinuing the Macan. The gas-powered Macan will be on sale until 2026.
Is the Macan a luxury car?
Yes, the Porsche Macan is a compact luxury crossover SUV.
Does Porsche Macan hold its value?
Yes, the Porsche Macan should still hold 48% of its value over a five year period according to CarEdge, making it an excellent chocie. This is a
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