Having become a favourite in premium performance SUV circles, the Macan has earned its stripes by providing fast, luxurious, accommodating and reliable service over the past seven years, even earning the highest possible ranking in J.D. Power and Associates 2021 Vehicle Dependability Study’s Compact Premium SUV category, a study that also finds the entire Porsche brand placing an impressive second amongst 16 luxury competitors.
It only makes sense the Macan would achieve similar heights when it comes to holding its resale value too, resulting in Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Awards in its Compact Luxury Crossover-SUV category for both 2019 and 2020.
For 2022, Porsche is giving the Macan its second refresh, the first one arriving for the 2019 model year. Changes to the 2019 Macan affected exterior styling, including new three-dimensional taillights, as well as the interior, particularly a new centre stack that received a larger 10.9-inch, high-definition centre touchscreen, along with a reworked infotainment user interface and revised HVAC venting. The 2022 model takes these changes to another level, including an even more dramatic restyling of its outer design, plus a much more comprehensively reworked centre console, while the new SUV also receives significant upgrades to its overall performance.
On that last note, the Macan loses its top-line Turbo trim for 2022, instead installing last year’s 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 in the new top-tier GTS, which gets an upgrade of 59 horsepower and 22 lb-ft of torque, resulting in an identical 434 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. The Macan GTS therefore manages the same 4.3-second sprint from standstill to 100 km/h as last year’s Turbo when equipped with the available Sport Chrono package, plus a slightly higher terminal velocity of 272 km/h (compared to 270 km/h), probably due to the new model’s slicker aerodynamics.
The most significant change under the hood affects base Macan models utilizing Porsche’s entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. This new power unit makes 13 more horsepower and 22 additional lb-ft of torque over its 2021 predecessor, resulting in 261 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. This helps propel it from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds (with the Sport Chrono package) compared to 6.5 in last year’s model, while it now tops out at a brisk 232 km/h, which is 3 km/h faster than the Macan that came before.
All 2022 Macan engines are mated to a seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK), and come standard with the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel-drive system.
The outgoing 2021 Macan was arguably the best handling compact SUV available, but nevertheless Porsche upped the ante by optimizing its suspension setup for an even more direct, sports car-like driving experience, with greater feedback from the steering wheel. The process included readapting the damper characteristics of Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) so that it can actively and continuously regulate damping force to the individual wheels. PASM, which is standard on S and GTS models, is optional with the base Macan.
On top of this, the Macan GTS now comes standard with sport air suspension, which automatically drops the body by 10 mm in order to increase stability at high speeds. The air suspension is also 10 percent firmer at the front axle and 15 percent more rigid at the rear axle, while an optional GTS Sport package adds 21-inch GT design wheels wrapped in performance rubber, plus Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and the Sport Chrono package, making the top-line Macan even more capable on the open road or track.
Those higher top speeds noted earlier are likely due to the new Macan’s slipperier shape, including a dramatically redesigned front fascia incorporating a much bolder grille and side vent arrangement, the latter being larger and more vertical, not unlike those found on the latest Porsche 911. The look makes the Macan appear wider and more purposefully planted on the tarmac, visually following through with all the upgrades made to the suspension.
Where base and S trims look almost identical from the front, even including LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) across the line, not to mention standard Sport Design exterior mirrors too, the GTS gets an even more aggressive grille design that’s mostly due to key airflow elements changed from body-colour to matte black, while the top-tier trim’s sideblades that span the doors once again display a scripted “GTS” trim designation. The GTS script on the sideblades transforms into body-colour when opting for new optional Python Green paint, and can also be upgraded with a new 3D structure design, available for the rear diffuser as well.
As always, the Macan’s most distinguishing visual characteristics at the rear can be found below the rear bumper, where that just-noted rear diffuser houses four circular tailpipes on S and GTS models, or two rectangular exhaust tips on base models.
Personalizing your 2022 Macan is made easy thanks to 14 exterior colours, including new Papaya Metallic and Gentian Blue Metallic, plus just-noted Python Green for GTS models that are upgraded to the GTS Sport package. Additionally, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur provides Individual Colour and Paint-To-Sample options, so the sky’s the limit as far as the colour palette goes.
Lastly, the new 2022 Macan’s redesign is rounded out by larger standard wheels and tires that now measure 19 inches on the base model, 20 inches for the Macan S, and 21 inches for the GTS. A total of seven new wheel designs are available, so once again customizing your Macan to your own personal taste is easier than ever.
Moving inside, the big changes are once again at centre, where Porsche has totally redesigned the Macan’s sloped centre console with new touch-sensitive controls, other than the dual-zone automatic climate control system’s temperature selectors that remain as knurled metal-trimmed rocker switches for ease of use. The look is slick and modern, while the two side-by-side panels will no doubt be easier to keep sanitary. Additionally, the new console includes a shorter gear lever, while up top on the dash, all Macans get a standard analogue clock.
Ahead of the driver, the updated 2022 Macan benefits from the new 911’s multifunction and GT Sport steering wheels, further enhancing the SUV’s sports car-like feel, while one of the buttons on its spokes activates voice commands for controlling functions in the previously-mentioned full-HD 10.9-inch Porsche Communication Management system.
Back to personalization, Porsche offers plenty of optional leather upholstery and contrasting seam packages for the cabin, in Gentian Blue, Papaya or Crayon, while the optional GTS Sport package receives some exclusive interior design details and equipment including Race-Tex upholstery with extended leather elements, a Carbon interior package, 18-way sport seats, plus contrast stitching and GTS lettering in body-colour green when choosing Python Green exterior paint.
The 2022 Macan starts at just $58,500 plus freight and fees, whereas the new Macan S can be had for $70,600, and the Macan GTS for $85,500. Lastly, the GTS Sport Package adds $13,470 to the GTS’ bottom line. To reserve yours now, contact Porsche Centre Vancouver at (604) 736-7911, or drop by our showroom at 688 Terminal Ave, Vancouver.
Story credits: Trevor Hofmann
Date: August 2021
Photo credits: Porsche
Video of the new Porsche Macan.