Porsche Macan GTS 2016 Review

Porsche Macan GTS
Road Test

It outsells the Audi Q5, the BMW X4 and the Volvo XC60, and now the Porsche Macan range has been bolstered once more; thanks to the addition of the faster, grippier GTS. Styled accordingly, the sporty model sits mid-way between the Macan S and Turbo variants, offering a five-second 0-100km/h time and a tenacious hold on corners. It's pretty swish inside, too; though we reckon for its $110k list price there are a few omissions Porsche really should address.

The strong-selling Porsche Macan range has grown to four vehicles with the introduction of the Macan GTS. Priced, and performing, between the Macan S and Macan Turbo, the GTS builds on the performance of the S's 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 (petrol), tweaking the intake and exhaust plumbing to bolster boost pressure (+0.2bar to 1.2) and achieve a total output figure of 265kW at 6000rpm and 500Nm from 1650-4000rpm.

With permanent all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard, the Macan GTS is further enhanced with lowered (-15mm) adaptive suspension (or -10mm with the optional air set-up) and matt-black 20-inch 'Spyder' alloys. The wheels are shod with 265/45-series rubber up front and 295/40 boots at the rear, while braking comes courtesy of the Turbo's massive all-wheel disc and calliper set.

The GTS's cornering prowess is further reinforced by the inclusion of a torque vectoring brake system (on the rear axle), and its ability to transfer as much as 100 per cent of the power from the front to rear axle as required. Assuming the (optional) electronically-controlled diff lock is fitted, you can even drift the rear-end if you're so inclined – which is not something we can say about many other sporty SUVs.

We checked the Macan's straight-line acceleration at 5.106sec (0-100km/h), the use of launch control further assisting a 13.192sec run down the quarter-mile (at a terminal speed of 165km/h). They're quick numbers in anyone's language, but speak only part of the GTS's competence. It's a tenacious corner carver, and one that seems unfazed by lumps and broken surfaces, the latter only revealing moderate discomfort at lower speeds and the transition of road noise to the cabin.

In typical Porsche form, the Macan GTS's electrically-assisted steering is heaven sent. The weighting is spot on, remaining appropriately 'sporty' in high-speed cornering yet effortlessly light at car park speeds. It's a setup that inspires confidence, telegraphing accurately the front wheels’ intent to the driver, even when challenged on pock-marked country 'C' roads. Turn-in is crisp and intuitively accurate, and at a higher tempo reacts swiftly to on-throttle inputs. Who'd have thought a 1895kg (kerb) SUV could be such a good driver's companion!

We didn't sample Porsche's Offroad mode, nor its Hill Descent Control. We're sure they're systems capable of all they proclaim, but the idea of bruising $5800 worth of beautiful (optional) Carmine Red paint was too shocking to contemplate.

Sticking to the options, we find GTS Leather and Alcantara upholstery ($8990), a panoramic sunroof ($4540), Sport Chrono Package ($2690), BOSE audio system ($2650), ParkAssist with 360-degree camera ($1660), front seat heaters ($990) and Apple CarPlay ($1090).

Intriguingly, the Macan GTS on test wasn't equipped with keyless entry and start, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping or an electrically-adjustable steering column. We understand that many of these omissions are available optionally, but that others, including AEB are not. It's an issue that is a direct result of the architecture's design age [the Macan's Modularer Längsbaukasten, or modular longitudinal platform, dates back to 2007], but one of the many we feel Porsche should offer as standard considering the price.

The GTS does, however, include Porsche's Sport Design package as standard, the matt-black garnishes and gloss-black front and rear bumper treatments and roof spoiler complementing smoked head and tail-lights and black quad exhaust outlets, part of the standard – and rorty – sports exhaust.

Inside, the eight-way electric seats, red-backed tacho and blood-red seatbelts are joined by a high-res 7.0-inch gesture-controlled touchscreen, which of course includes simple-to-use sat nav and Bluetooth connectivity.

As noted in our 2014 comparison, the Macan's cabin is more spacious than you'd give it credit for with a good view out and plenty of cargo space – 500 litres of box-shaped goodness accessed via an electrically-operated tailgate.

The console array may be a little busy for some tastes and the lack of a dead pedal tiring. Otherwise, the driving position is on the mark and the blend of seating comfort, support and space just right. There's even a decent amount of oddment storage, if you don't count the map pockets behind the seats (there aren't any).

The multi-zone climate control system kept a steady temperature throughout and is quiet in its operation; while the wiper/washer system and headlight performance likewise drew no complaints.

If we did have one final complaint, however, it would be that there is a little transmission lag during roll-on acceleration. It's virtually eliminated by selecting Sport or Sport Plus modes, but that doesn't help when you've already committed to a manoeuvre... It's a far sharper machine once dialled up a notch, but personally I couldn't drive in either mode everyday – they're simply too sharp at runabout speeds.

The Macan GTS is an exceptionally capable driving machine with stellar performance and the good looks to match. It's a spacious and practical vehicle to boot, ticking the 'S' and 'U' parts of the SUV acronym rather well indeed. Yes, it's expensive and it lacks some of the equipment found standard in much cheaper rivals. But in living up to the expectations of its badge, Porsche's sporty mid-size SUV is a cracker.

2016 Porsche Macan GTS pricing and specifications:
Price: $109,500 (plus ORCs) / $137,910 (as tested, plus ORCs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin turbo-petrol
Output: 265kW/500Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 9.2L/100km (ADR Combined) / 11.7L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 215g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star EuroNCAP

Also consider:
>> Audi SQ5 plus TDI (from $108,900 plus ORCs)
>> BMW X4 xDrive35i (from $89,300 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-AMG GLC (due October 2016)