Porsche is one of the premiere luxury and performance automakers of the moment. Their model lineup consists entirely of desirable cars, and even though they're pretty pricey, they represent serious objects of desire for a lot of enthusiasts, especially the focused performance models. However, like a lot of automaker, there was a dark time for Porsche.

In the '90s, they were on the brink of collapse, which meant they resorted to building cars for other automakers, namely the Mercedes 500E and Audi RS2 Avant. Then, they introduced the Cayenne, which managed to save them. Several years on, Porsche realized that in order to stay competitive, they needed a second SUV. The gamble they took with the Macan definitely paid off.

Overview Of The 2023 Macan

The Porsche Macan is the smaller SUV in Porsche's lineup. The original development name for the project was Cajun, which despite it seeming otherwise, is actually a portmanteau of the words "Cayenne" and "Junior." Porsche first introduced the Macan in 2014, and they have offered it ever since, with a number of different facelifts and updates along the way. The 2023 model year means another facelift, which is subtle, but it also pairs down and simplifies the model lineup. Some of the changes include new alloy wheel designs, a slightly revised front end, and new technology on the interior.

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We have to applaud Porsche for making a small crossover that doesn't immediately stand out in all the wrong ways in terms of exterior styling. It looks pretty good, and Porsche's design language definitely works well here. Certainly a lot better than it did on the first generation Cayenne. The 2023 model year also introduces new headlight designs, a revised rear diffuser, and it keeps the rear light bar from the previous facelift. The model lineup is simpler, now comprising the base Macan, the Macan T, the Macan S and the Macan GTS, the latter also replacing the Turbo model. The Macan competes with the likes of the BMW X3, the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which recently entered a new generation, the Lexus NX, the Audi Q5, and the Jaguar F-Pace, which now offers a couple of special editions.

2023 Macan Powertrains And Drivetrains

There are four different ways you can order your Macan for the 2023 model year. The base model, simply called the Macan, uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 261 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. If this powertrain sounds familiar, it's the same one you might find in the VW Golf GTI and the new Audi S3. You might think that a four-cylinder engine in such a car would be wrong, but it actually suits the Macan quite well. This engine is also what appears under the hood of the Macan T, with an identical output.

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The S and GTS, meanwhile, switch over to the VW Group's 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6. The V6 puts out 375 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque in the S, and 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque in the GTS model. All of these engines spin the wheels through a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission. Porsche designed the Macan to be the small crossover version of their greatest hits, and it definitely shows. In terms of sheer driving fun and good dynamics, very few things can get close to the Macan. Just try to stay away from dirt roads if you can.

2023 Macan Comfort And Quality

Porsche has updated the interior of the Macan quite significantly. Previously, it felt a little dated, especially with the introduction of the new design language and technology in the second generation Panamera. However, for 2023, the Macan inherits the rest of the lineup's infotainment system, and center control stack. Unfortunately, that means it also inherits the slightly irksome capacitive touch controls around the shifter, but the infotainment system is one of the best in the business at the moment. Plus, Porsche takes interior quality very seriously, and that still holds true with the Macan.

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Like with any Porsche, there are many, many options available for the Macan. Sport Chrono, ventilated seats, full leather interior, and all the like. However, the options are pretty expensive, and they can drive the price of the Macan sky-high if you're not careful. Sadly, a lot of the safety tech is also optional, and that includes the adaptive cruise control, which is just a tad bit mean. There is also still no Android Auto on any of the Macan models, not even as an option. That's just the Porsche way. The Macan seats five passengers, and its cargo area boasts 17.2 cubic-feet of space with the rear seats up. Fold them down, and you get 52.9 cubic-feet.

2023 Macan Pricing And Launch

The 2023 Porsche Macan is available to order as of July 2022. There's no word yet when it'll arrive in dealerships, especially considering the chip shortage. Prices start at $57,500 for the base Macan, $63,100 for the Macan T, $68,400 for the Macan S, and a pretty substantial $82,900 for the Macan GTS. As it stands, the Macan is a pretty expensive SUV, but there's a whole lot more good than bad about it, and if you want your compact SUV to handle like the closest approximation of a sports car, it's very tough to beat. It really is a fantastic all-rounder.