Five cool features from the Porsche Macan

Welcome to 2020, where compact SUVs are all the rage. Yet not many can lay claim to also being performance cars.

Do you want something compact, practical and sporty? Sure, you hear a lot about hot hatches, but why aren’t we talking about hot compact SUVs too?

Case in point, the Porsche Macan. Since its initial launch in 2014, the compact luxury performance SUV has hit the ground running -- quickly becoming Porsche’s most popular model line.

Last year Porsche updated the Macan family, initially launching Macan and Macan S, with the Macan Turbo following late in the piece. Soon, we’ll see a new Macan GTS.

There are plenty of reasons the Macan is an Aussie favourite and Porsche’s best seller Down Under. For now, here’s five cool ones we’ve picked out.

When it comes to Porsche cars, the driving experience comes first -- the Macan being no exception. Even in the brand’s SUVs you’re immersed in the driving experience – and that starts with the upgraded cockpit.

In the new Macan the infotainment screen has increased from 7.2-inches to 10.2-inches. That said, it hasn’t gone completely digital, with the centre console still offering physical buttons- which I find extremely satisfying.

The upgraded cockpit is integrated with the centre console infotainment screen, and is also paired up with your instrument cluster and the head-up display. This connection is also tied into your Porsche Communication Management (PCM) mobile app. You have plenty of ways to personalise this car to your needs

Technology forward, with integration in mind – which isn’t limited to when you’re sitting behind the wheel.

Although the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) Mobile app is not new, it has been refined and now provides greater access to vehicle info, no matter where you may be. It is available on compatible Apple and Android smartphones and is easy to set up using your vehicle details such as your VIN number.

Once set up, you’ll be able to access tabs such as Navigation, My Vehicle and Me for your own custom options.

I like the idea of being able to check up on my car no matter where I might be and plan my day, as I need. Via the app you can check things like, whether you’ve locked the doors, or even the fuel range. If you find that you’ve left the doors unlocked, you can also lock it straight from your phone (and vice versa).

Probably the most useful feature of all is the ability to plan your journey through navigation – with navigation ready to go as soon as you get behind the wheel.

The PCM Mobile app helps you feel prepared and gives you one less thing to worry about.

The most striking and obvious design feature on the updated Porsche Macan is going on at its rear.

Moving forward with the futuristic styling (also seen on the Cayenne and Panamera), the new Macan features a rear LED light strip on the tailgate that stretches from side to side. The LED light strip is split in three parts, one for each taillight, with the centre part of the strip featuring a 3D Porsche logo.

The strip is striking, and a clear nod to the future.

The Porsche Macan sees several safety technologies improved, particularly to the surrounding sensors. One new function, the optional Traffic Jam Assist, really extends the idea of adaptive cruise control as we know it.

Adaptive cruise control will slow the vehicle down, and hold distance depending on the car in front of you. It can detect vehicles from adjacent lanes, not just the ones in front of you.

Traffic Jam Assist, however, is a further extension of the adaptive cruise control function, offering steering assist through optimised radar and video sensors and provides a number of warning and braking interventions. This function has been optimised for those high traffic situations (peak-hour bumper-to-bumper), and although, I am still getting used to the technology myself, it is certainly a step forward for driver comfort and safety.

The 2019 Macan update also includes increasing the SUV family’s performance capabilities. At the entry level, the Macan can achieve 0-100km/h in 6.5sec. The S and Turbo models are even faster at 5.1 and 4.3sec comparatively (all times with Sports Chrono Package).

Outside of its performance car road-based capabilities, the new Macan is ever more than capable as loose surface machine. Porsche even offers the Porsche Offroad app, which I highly recommend you checking out -- even if you don’t own a Porsche.

The app is a great resource for new off-roaders containing checklists, tips and even inspiration on locations to visit.

Take the road less travelled
Whether you’re looking for something to take the road less travelled, a daily driver, a family car, or a sports car, the Porsche Macan has it covered.

It is a truly diverse luxury compact SUV that you can make to suit your lifestyle, whatever that may be.