Compact cars

As a best-selling Porsche model in the United States, the Macan nameplate needs no introduction. In the decade that it has been around, the Macan has won a lot of praise for being one of the most dynamically capable models, in the luxury compact SUV class. For 2024 though, the Macan receives a total reboot as it goes fully electric! If you’re still not ready to embrace electrification, Porsche will thankfully continue to offer the gas-powered model until 2026. The old four-cylinder/V6-equipped Macans are great for many reasons. First, they are affordable. Secondly, they are more practical than the similarly priced 718 Cayman, thanks to the crossover boy style and third, they drive like a Porsche.

Porsche’s 986 Boxster was a model that until recently, did not get the recognition it deserved. It gave Porsche enthusiasts a more affordable, mid-engine sports car that offered 80 percent of the 911 performance at around half the retail price when both cars were new. The entry-level Porsche from the 1990s came with a downside though – it wasn’t the quickest. While even the base-model 986 Boxster can smoke a Mazda Miata from the same period, automatic variants were especially strangled, with 0 to 60 mph times being 7.2 seconds.

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.

With the all-electric Porsche Macan now officially on sale and starting to hit U.S. dealerships, I wanted to take the opportunity to spec out the most expensive Macan EV possible. So I fired up the configurator and selected the top variant of the four available models (Base, S, 4S, Turbo), which is the Macan Electric Turbo, and went to town. Now before you judge me for the bold PTS color choice, (Speed Yellow - 0UB in case you were wondering), I want to clarify that this was just an exercise. I’m personally far more conservative and would choose something more understated and go with something like silver or navy blue at best. But with this one, I’ve tried my best to select the priciest options available in my quest to get a ballpark figure of the most expensive Macan electric on sale today, and here’s what I found.

Now, as a Porsche enthusiast, I’ve always been drawn to the German brand’s blend of sophisticated design, luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology. So, when I first heard about the SU7 from Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi about their knock-off Taycan; I was not only intrigued but also a bit skeptical. Yes, yes...I know how legacy automakers everywhere, including the United States are paranoid about the looming threat from Chinese EVs (can’t believe this is political now), but could a company known primarily for its consumer electronics truly compete with established automotive giants? They may not be a household name in America, but after spending some time on the SU7’s configurator, I can say that Xiaomi, despite being a newcomer in the automotive space at least, doesn’t disappoint.

Like several other automakers, Porsche has a notable hierarchy in its model lineup. Sadly, this means that some platforms will never achieve their full potential unless independent specialists work their magic on them. Such is the case with Porsche’s entry-level performance model – the Cayman/Boxster. The fixed-head, coupe version of the Porsche Boxster is sometimes regarded as the brand’s best sports car. This is due to the mid-engine layout, which is considered superior to the 911’s rear-engine setup. That said, tradition dictates that the 911 remains the top dog in the Porsche lineup. While even the more mainstream Porsche models like the Cayenne and Panamera, feature a Turbo variant, the 718 range tops out with the GT4 RS, and the Spyder RS. So, why is it that Porsche in all its wisdom and rich motorsport heritage, decided to forgo an opportunity to create a Turbo 718? Let’s find out.

Porsche’s Boxster/ Cayman models are, often, regarded as the budget-friendly alternative to the 911. It used to be the one you get when you can’t or don’t want to spend 911 money. This isn’t necessarily the case anymore since the Cayman/ Boxster models have their fair share of high-performance versions that borrow tech straight from the 911. The 987-generation of the mid-engine Porsche (2004-2010) is particularly sought-after on the used market, and there are a couple of reasons for that.

When we talk about open-top thrills in a sports car, the Boxster is, often, the first to come to mind. The mid-engine Porsche sports car first appeared in 1996 and was instrumental in pulling the German automaker out of financial trouble. Three generations later, the 718 Boxster remains a solid pick among open-top sports cars. The roadster’s balanced chassis and lightweight nature allow it to punch above its weight while offering one of the most unique driving experiences of any convertible. That said, the Porsche 718 Boxster is not the only great roadster out there. BMW’s latest iteration of the Z4 has been around since 2018, but it somehow isn’t talked about as much. One reason could be the rebirth of the Toyota Supra, which in its fifth generation is, essentially, a re-bodied Z4. After having the chance to experience both cars, we decided to see if the BMW Z4 is truly underrated and how it stacks up to the Porsche 718 Boxster.

Slotting in below the more potent Cayman S, launched in 2006, Porsche introduced a detuned entry-level base Cayman in 2007. This sleek, mid-engined coupe shared its platform and many components with the Boxster Roadster but featured a fixed roof and hatchback body style. It was powered by a 2.7-liter boxer-six engine producing 245 horsepower and 201 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in 5.8 seconds with the manual transmission.

Like it or not, electrification is coming and Porsche like every other automaker out there, will need to adopt. But despite its expanding electric model lineup, (think electric Macan and the upcoming Cayman/Boxster EV and Panamera EV), the brand recently backtracked on its over-optimistic electric vehicle sales targets, and it appears that Porsche is once again committed to internal combustion engines for the foreseeable future. The Cayenne, for example, is expected to retain an internal combustion option until at least 2030. As for the 911, the T-Hybrid system introduced on the 992.2 Carrera 4 GTS, combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and seems like a strategic move to extend the life of internal combustion engines for Porsche. But to me, it appears to be an excuse to delay the 911 EV. We all know that it will be the last model in Porsche’s lineup to go fully electric. Having said that, here’s why a compact 911, could serve as the base for both a smaller displacement combustion engine and an all-electric powertrain.

Remember the Camel Trophy? That epic off-road endurance race that pushed man and machine to their limits? Often dubbed the Olympics of 4x4s, it was a competition that was held annually between 1980 and 2000. From the impenetrable jungles of the Amazon and Sumatra to the frozen extremes of Siberia, the Camel Trophy ran through, some of the most hostile and untraversable areas on the planet. Sure, you may be used to seeing old-school Land Rover Defenders and Discoverys covered in mud from back in the day. But this rendering of a Macan Turbo electric with a Camel-Trophy theme by Blackfish Graphics caught my attention for a few reasons.

Back in 2004, Laurent Maman tragically passed away in an automobile accident while he was driving his beloved Polo GTI. For the past 20+ years, his friends have kept his memory alive through his car. Laurent was passionate about cars and loved his VW Polo which became the base platform for the Polo e-drive concept. For the past 10 years, this Polo has been transformed into an EV, with all of his friends contributing their expertise. Jerome of the Out Of Spec Renew YouTube Channel recently caught up with Julien LV, one of the creators of the Polo EDrive Concept, at the Players Classic Car Show in the U.K.

Move over, J.Lo, and your questionable car dance routines. Dua Lipa just dropped a gear and slammed the brakes on boring celebrity car endorsements. The global pop sensation was featured in Porsche’s latest ad campaign for the all-electric Macan, and it appears like it’s not your typical snoozefest of luxury car commercials.

Compact yet capable, the 2022 Porsche Macan delivered the brand’s signature driving experience in a practical SUV package. First introduced in 2014, this five-seater shared its platform with the Audi Q5 but received extensive modifications to meet Porsche’s exacting standards. For the 2022 model year, Porsche incorporated a midcycle refresh for the Macan, starting its 95B.3 generation.

The 2019 Porsche Macan is a compact luxury SUV that seats five. It received a mid-cycle refresh for the 2019 model year. It shares its MLB platform with the Audi Q5 but features unique Porsche styling and performance enhancements.

Tesla pioneered the mainstream EV segment and currently offers some of the quickest fully electric vehicles you can buy. However, legacy carmakers like Mercedes and Porsche have caught up, and now EVs are being churned out left and right. Porsche is big on heritage, but that didn’t spare the brand from getting on the EV bandwagon. On the plus side, Porsche’s Taycan is one of the most popular EV performance cars. Since its introduction in 2020, Porsche has sold over 136,000 units of the all-electric Taycan, and counting, making it one of the more popular high-performance EVs. That said, when it comes to the performance-per-dollar ratio, Tesla’s offerings are still unrivaled, but Porsche might be working on a solution.

The Porsche Macan is one of the most capable compact luxury SUVs available today. Known for its blend of performance and everyday practicality, it’s also undeniably a Porsche, which shares a lot of characteristics with the brand’s sports cars. It occupies a unique space in the market, offering a sporty driving experience for a family-oriented audience. Its sharp handling and confident stopping power make it a joy to drive. While the base four-cylinder engine provides decent acceleration with launch control, it feels sluggish in everyday driving. Upgrading to the V6 engine in the Macan S unlocks a more satisfying performance, which is ideal for driving enthusiasts. Despite its compact size, the Macan proves that SUVs can be exciting to drive.

Porsche took a calculated risk with the Macan, launching it for the 2015 model year to answer the booming trend of compact luxury SUVs. Following the success of the larger Cayenne, this smaller sibling quickly became the brand’s bestseller. For 2017, a new base trim with a 2.0-liter turbo-four from the Audi Q5 joined the lineup, offering 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This entry-level variant sprinted to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, providing brisk performance for daily driving duties.

Believe it or not, but hybrids have been with us since 1899 when Ferdinand Porsche and Ludwig Lohner built the Semper Vivus. After 125 years, we have plenty of hybrid vehicles on the market today, starting from the Toyota Prius to ultra-high-performance supercars like the Ferrari SF90 and the Lamborghini Revuelto.

The Macan is Porsche’s compact luxury crossover SUV that combines a sports car’s performance, technology, and style with the practicality and comfort of an everyday family vehicle. Introduced in 2014, it’s the smallest SUV from the German marque, below the Cayenne. Over the years, Porsche provided several updates and facelifts to the Macan, the latest being in 2021.

Acura’s Integra Type S is the high-performance version of the traditional Integra, a compact sports car that Acura recently revived after a long hiatus. The first-ever Integra debuted in 1986 as one of the first models of the newly launched Acura brand.

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E Rally breaks new ground as the first-ever rally-inspired electric vehicle, as well as the first off-road Mustang. Joining the Mustang Mach-E family, the Rally variant steers Ford’s EV range into a unique direction, trekking dirt roads, kicking up gravel, and mixing milkshakes while doing so with zero tailpipe emissions. With its rally-tuned suspension, dual-motor electric powertrain, and distinctive styling, the Mach-E Rally stands apart from its GT Performance siblings.

The 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T marks the return of the lightweight, performance-focused variant to the 992.1 generation lineup. Discontinued in 2019 with the 991 generation, the Carrera T or "Touring," slots between the base and S, offering enthusiasts a track-oriented package at a more accessible price point. Powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged boxer-six engine producing 379 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, the 992 generation adds nine horsepower and a seven-speed manual transmission, with an optional eight-speed PDK, fulfilling the expectations of purists via a compelling powertrain package.