After spending a day driving the 2020 Porsche Macan, it finally clicked. It became clear why this SUV has garnered such popularity. Despite some reservations about its aesthetics, the 2020 Macan delivers a driving experience that genuinely blurs the lines between SUV and sports car. The low seating position, exceptional cornering capabilities, and surprising acceleration make it stand out in a crowded market.
While its visual appeal might be subjective, the driving dynamics of the 2020 Macan are undeniable. It’s an SUV that prioritizes the driver’s engagement, offering a level of agility and responsiveness rarely found in this vehicle category.
Looks can indeed be deceiving. The 2020 Macan’s driving performance far exceeds expectations set by its understated exterior design.
Even with reservations about its styling, the driving experience of the 2020 Macan is compelling enough to warrant enthusiastic approval. It’s a vehicle that prioritizes performance and handling, even if its exterior aesthetics are not universally admired.
Unfiltered Thoughts on the 2020 Macan
In a landscape saturated with reviews, this perspective on the 2020 Macan aims to offer something different. Free from corporate influence, this is an honest assessment, acknowledging both the strengths and weaknesses of this popular Porsche SUV. Prepare for a candid exploration of what makes the 2020 Macan tick, even if some observations might be a bit blunt.
The styling of the Macan remains a point of contention, with its design language drawing criticism for being too generic.
Exterior Styling: A Matter of Taste?
The application of Porsche’s signature design language, so iconic on the 911, feels somewhat diluted in the SUV form of the Macan. The overall silhouette leans towards rounded and bulbous, a departure from the sharper lines many might expect from a Porsche. To some, it may even bear an unintended resemblance to more mainstream vehicles.
Perhaps a more assertive and angular design, similar to the 2023 Cadillac XT5, could have better translated Porsche’s sporty DNA into an SUV format.
The rear design of the 2020 Porsche Macan, with its rounded forms, has drawn comparisons to the Volkswagen Beetle, a point of criticism for some.
However, upon closer inspection, Porsche design cues do emerge. The headlights, for instance, are distinctly Porsche, showcasing attention to detail.
Examining the details reveals Porsche’s design DNA, particularly evident in elements like the distinctive headlight design of the 2020 Macan.
The front grill stands out as arguably the most visually appealing aspect of the 2020 Macan’s exterior.
The front grill design is a high point in the 2020 Macan’s styling, offering a more aggressive and refined aesthetic compared to the rest of the exterior.
Even the Porsche badge itself, a symbol of automotive prestige, might seem slightly out of place on a vehicle whose overall design aesthetic is perceived by some as less distinctive.
The iconic Porsche badge adds a touch of luxury, but some argue it clashes with the overall Volkswagen-esque styling of the 2020 Macan.
Performance: Surprising Power and Agility
Fortunately, any debate about the 2020 Macan’s styling fades away once you experience its performance. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, delivers a surprising punch. It’s more than just adequate; it’s genuinely quick, even verging on fast.
Despite being a 5,500 lb SUV, the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine of the 2020 Macan provides ample power and responsive performance.
The engine’s responsiveness is noteworthy. Turbo lag is virtually nonexistent, and power delivery is smooth and readily available across the RPM range. The acceleration is enough to press you back into your seat, defying expectations for a four-cylinder SUV.
The engine bay of the 2020 Porsche Macan is designed for accessibility, ensuring ease of maintenance and repairs, a practical aspect of Porsche engineering.
Mated to this engine is a responsive 7-speed “automated manual” transmission. Gear changes are executed with speed and precision, accompanied by a satisfying exhaust note on upshifts.
The exhaust system of the 2020 Macan, especially for a 4-cylinder engine, produces a surprisingly sporty and satisfying sound, enhancing the driving experience.
The exhaust note from the 2.0L engine is surprisingly refined for a four-cylinder, adding an auditory element to the Macan’s sporty character.
Handling: Cornering Confidence That Defies SUV Expectations
The handling of the 2020 Macan is where Porsche’s engineering prowess truly shines. Known for producing vehicles with exceptional handling dynamics, Porsche has successfully translated this into an SUV platform. The Macan exhibits cornering capabilities that rival sports cars, a remarkable achievement for a vehicle of its size and weight.
The 2020 Porsche Macan handles corners with surprising agility and composure, defying typical SUV expectations and delivering a sports car-like driving experience.
Despite its 5,500-pound weight, the Macan tackles corners with composure and encourages spirited driving. The flat and controlled cornering experience is unexpected for an SUV of this size. Porsche has managed to imbue the Macan with a level of nimbleness rarely found in this segment.
The 2020 Porsche Macan’s impressive handling is maintained even with the base 18-inch wheels, showcasing the chassis engineering and suspension tuning.
Surprisingly, this impressive handling is achieved even with relatively modest 18-inch wheels on the base model. The Macan’s road holding is exactly what you would expect from a Porsche, regardless of its SUV classification.
The braking system of the 2020 Porsche Macan is highly responsive and sensitive, providing confident stopping power that matches its sporty handling.
Braking performance is also commendable. The brakes are sensitive and responsive, further contributing to the Macan’s sporty driving feel.
The driving experience in the 2020 Porsche Macan is engaging and enjoyable, exceeding expectations for an SUV and earning praise for its sporty character.
Interior: Porsche DNA Inside, But With Minor Flaws
While the exterior styling may be debatable, the interior of the Macan unequivocally embodies Porsche design language. The steering wheel and dashboard are unmistakably Porsche, and the overall build quality feels premium. The seats offer a blend of luxury and support, suitable for both comfortable cruising and more spirited driving.
The interior of the 2020 Porsche Macan features classic Porsche design cues, premium materials, and a driver-focused layout, creating a luxurious and sporty cabin environment.
However, the front seats are a notable exception. Their design appears somewhat basic and less refined compared to the rest of the interior, almost reminiscent of economy cars from the early 2000s.
The front seats in the 2020 Porsche Macan are considered a design weakness, looking less luxurious and somewhat out of place compared to the rest of the interior.
Despite this, the rest of the interior exudes a high-quality, distinctly “Porsche” ambiance.
Overall, the interior of the 2020 Porsche Macan is well-designed and luxurious, with the exception of the front seats, providing a premium driving environment.
The center console, while featuring a prominent gear lever, contributes to the high-end feel of the cabin. However, some design elements might evoke similarities to previous generation interiors.
The center console of the 2020 Porsche Macan is functional and aesthetically pleasing, contributing to the premium feel of the interior, although some elements are reminiscent of older designs.
The rear seating area is reasonably spacious and well-appointed, although the middle seat appears less comfortable for longer journeys.
The rear seats of the 2020 Porsche Macan offer adequate space and decent comfort for passengers, although the middle seat is less ideal for long trips.
The Macan’s interior is well-suited for road trips, offering a combination of spaciousness, comfort, and a relatively quiet cabin.
Despite its luxury positioning, the 2020 Porsche Macan, like many vehicles, still incorporates some cheaper plastic materials in the interior trim, a common industry compromise.
Like many vehicles, even luxury models, the Macan is not entirely immune to the use of some less premium plastic materials in certain areas of the interior trim.
Driving Experience: Sports Car Feel in an SUV Body
The driving experience in any Porsche is typically memorable, and the 2020 Macan is no exception. The low driving position and compact steering wheel create an unexpected sports car-like feel, easily making you forget you are behind the wheel of an SUV.
Cruising in the 2020 Porsche Macan offers a blend of sporty feel and SUV practicality, making it an enjoyable and versatile vehicle for daily driving and longer journeys.
However, this sporty design comes with a trade-off. Visibility, particularly in heavy traffic, is compromised by thick A, B, and C pillars, creating significant blind spots. This is a notable drawback in an otherwise well-engineered vehicle.
The thick A-pillar design of the 2020 Porsche Macan, while contributing to structural integrity, unfortunately creates significant blind spots, hindering visibility, especially in urban driving conditions.
Merging into traffic and navigating tight spots requires extra caution due to these visibility limitations.
The steering wheel of the 2020 Porsche Macan, along with the dashboard, features a button-heavy design, which can be distracting for drivers who prefer minimalist controls.
The button-heavy control layout might also be distracting for some drivers, requiring attention to navigate various functions.
Entry and exit are surprisingly easy for an SUV. The seating position is lower than typical SUVs, more akin to stepping into a sports car, a unique and appreciated characteristic.
Fuel Economy: Acceptable for a Performance SUV
Over a day of driving the 2020 Macan in diverse conditions around Oahu, Hawaii, including highway driving and stop-and-go traffic, the fuel economy averaged 22.5 miles per gallon. This is a respectable figure, considering the Macan’s weight and the spirited driving style employed during the test.
The 2020 Porsche Macan achieves a surprisingly good fuel economy of 22.5 mpg, considering its performance capabilities and SUV classification, making it relatively efficient for its segment.
For a performance-oriented SUV, 22.5 mpg is a surprisingly acceptable figure.
Verdict: Should You Consider the 2020 Porsche Macan?
Before making a decision, it’s recommended to explore a detailed list of Porsche Macan pros and cons. This deeper dive provides a more comprehensive understanding of the ownership experience and daily usability of the Macan.
Considering Porsche’s depreciation trends, the 2020 Macan might become an attractive option in the used car market, potentially offering high value as it ages.
The 2020 Macan fundamentally shifted perceptions about Porsche SUVs. Its exceptional driving dynamics were unexpected and impressive. Previously overlooked, the Macan now commands attention and admiration, earning a level of respect usually reserved for Porsche’s sports car lineage. It’s a truly remarkable piece of automotive engineering, proving that SUVs can indeed deliver a genuinely engaging and sporty driving experience.
