2022 Porsche Macan T review: Wolf, bargain... or both?

It’s not hard to see why the Macan is Porsche’s top-selling model by some margin.

Not only is it one of the most handsome midsized SUVs on the market, but it’s also the most affordable route into new Porsche ownership.

Entering the Porsche family starts from $89,300 before on-road costs for the most affordable Macan, which is powered by a turbocharged petrol four-cylinder. However, stepping up to the V6 turbo powered requires another $23,000 added to the budget.

But, as part of a mid-life update, Porsche has narrowed the void between entry and mid-range Macan with the more generously equipped Macan T that, at $91,500 before on-road costs, is priced just $6700 higher than the base model. In the context of other Porsche models and even some of their options, that’s virtually free.

Does the second most-affordable Porsche in Australia represent a premium-label bargain or is it a bit of a sheep in wolf’s clothing?

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JUMP AHEAD

• How do rivals compare on value?
• What do you get?
• Interior comfort space and storage
• What’s it like to drive?
• How safe is it?
• VERDICT
• Specifications

How do rivals compare on value?

In terms of specification, a Mercedes-Benz GLC300 makes for very similar reading with a price that’s about $3000 cheaper than the Porsche with power and performance figures almost identical across the board.

In 45 TFSI trim, Audi’s Q5 is less cash again at $80,800 but takes a bit of a hit in the power and performance department, while BMW’s X3 xDrive 30i offers AWD coupled to a 2.0-litre turbo and a price from $91,900 (both before on-road costs).

As a wildcard, Cupra’s freshly arrived Ateca VZx has a bargain price of $60,990 before on-road costs yet shares an engine with the Porsche and even wicks its power up by 26kW to 221kW, while maintaining the same 400Nm of torque, and 0-100km/h acceleration falls to under 5.0s.

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Above: Cupra's compelling Ateca VZx

What do you get?

Let’s start with the all-important boot badge. Unlike most of Porsche’s other esteemed brands, this one doesn’t denote mountains of extra horsepower or track-munching performance.

Introduced first on the boot of the 1967 911T, the T instead stood for Touring and packaged a number of features that made longer distances in the little two-plus-two coupe a bit more pleasant.

The German car-maker’s line-up sure has changed a bit and grown significantly in the ensuing 55 years but the Macan T does retain a few of the features first debuted by the 911.

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For a start, the Macan T has a four-cylinder engine – but rather than an air-cooled flat-four, it shares the same 195kW/400Nm petrol found under the bonnet of the entry Macan.

It’s bolted to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sending drive to all four wheels, weighs 1845kg, accommodates five adults, has a 488-litre boot, and will use 8.8 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle – just like the most affordable Macan. So what do you get for the cash?

On the outside, the T gets more sporty accoutrements including 20-inch wheels donated by the Macan S, replacing the 19-inch versions on the entry version, and their Dark Titanium finish matches Agate Grey touches applied to the front facia, side mirrors, skirts, spoiler and badges.

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It also sits lower thanks to a sportier tune of the standard coil-sprung suspension that drops the ride height by 15mm and adds a stiffer front anti-roll bar. Hand Porsche another $2790 and the T will be fitted with adjustable air suspension that drops the Macan by 10mm. Adaptive dampers branded Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) are thrown in as part of the T deal.

If first impressions count then the Macan T makes an impressive statement with its enhanced looks alone – especially if you order it dressed up in an $1800 Papaya Metallic suit like this one – and the Macan T looks as though it should cost a greater premium than it does. And it’s a similar story on the inside.

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Eight-way adjustable GTS sports seats are included in the front row as standard, matching the two-plus-one seats in the second row with an attractive upholstery that looks like four of the positions are already occupied by Kendo fighters.

Standard T equipment also enhances the cabin with leather and Sport-Tex synthetic suede combination upholstery with contrasting stitching (ours had been colour-coordinated to the exterior paint), a 360mm heated GT steering wheel and Porsche’s Sport Chrono pack which alone ordinarily adds $1880 to the price.

Of course, it’s a Porsche, which means the starting price of a Macan T can be dramatically inflated with a liberal visit to the options list – but this unfortunately includes some safety technology such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and parking assistance. Items you might expect to be included with a premium German SUV considering they are standard kit on cars costing a fraction of the price.

Of course, it’s a Porsche, which means the starting price of a Macan T can be dramatically inflated with a liberal visit to the options list

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Other notable equipment omissions include no Android Auto – even with the mid-life update (Apple CarPlay is included) – and you must pay extra for a panoramic roof. While tyre pressure monitoring is standard, a full-size spare isn’t, although there is the next best thing – a space-saver.

If there’s nearly nine grand burning a hole in your pocket, don’t be tempted to drop it on the optional Burmester sound system because the standard Sound Package Plus stereo (with speakers slotted into the centre console) sounds absolutely sensational.

For those who can resist running the options gauntlet, the Macan T’s price is good value (at least in Porsche terms) and the brochure certainly doesn’t look like it represents a car costing less than $100,000.

But that’s only part of the proposition when buying a Porsche.

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Related video: 2022 Macan, first Australian drive

Interior comfort, space and storage

Ergonomically, the Macan T feels exactly as a Porsche should and after only a short time in the driving seat, it’s even more of a wonder how few brands nail the driving position and comfort. The Macan is close to perfect.

With the GTS seats comes a level of comfort that feels as though Porsche asked for your waist measurement and height on the order form. That said, there’s not so much support to make you think the Super Sport Carbon Race Plus Weissach Pack box was accidentally checked.

The relatively small leather-wrapped steering wheel is heated and adds to the beautiful ergonomics and sense of quality without becoming vulgar or showy. But the GT wheel also gives access to one of the nicest steering systems in the SUV world.

Second-row seating is every bit as cosy and comfortable as the front row, even if they don’t get the eight-way electric adjustment and heaters but there’s plenty of space and headroom. The only downside to the clean and tidy interior is a lack of places to put things such as phones and keys around the gear selector.

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What’s the Macan T like to drive?

The basics

Leaving the Mornington Peninsula freeway behind in search of more enjoyable roads and views, the lightness of the Macan's steering is replaced by a sensitivity and precision that Porsche has worked hard to achieve in all its models.

Bigger wheels have perhaps compromised the ride and road noise marginally over the standard 19-inch rims, but the advantages combined with a lower ride height and stiffer front anti-roll bar far outweigh any of that.

The Macan is a joy to chuck at some corners with hard-working diffs at either end, cooperating with the snappy dual-clutch auto for an honest and mechanical drivetrain, not the synthetic, over-controlled systems of some rivals.

The Macan is a joy to chuck at some corners with hard-working diffs at either end

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It would be interesting to see how the likeable manners are affected by a hardcore set of performance tyres as Porsche has elected to fit more all-round Michelin Latitude Sport 3 rubber. Grip levels are still very high and complement the chassis mods well.

Braking is similarly excellent with a classically Porsche firm feel and there’s a decidedly un-SUV character when pushing the Macan into turns under braking and feeling the chassis load up progressively.

Perhaps the only part of the equation that doesn’t transpose so naturally is the engine itself.

Expecting a similar bump in power and torque is not unreasonable given the successfully tweaked chassis, but the standard EA888 engine carries over from the entry Macan.

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Like virtually all its applications, the in-line turbo four is a very sweet unit with a flat torque curve and rev-happy nature but it still only produces 195kW and 400Nm of torque – not exactly meagre but under the bonnet of something carrying the iconic Zuffenhausen shield, not quite enough.

Despite the same outputs, the T manages to be slightly faster than the entry Macan thanks to the standard Sport Chrono pack, which introduces a launch mode that helps dispatch the zero-to-100km/h dash in 6.2 seconds, so it’s certainly not slow.

But it doesn’t exactly feel fast either, and that tarnishes the T’s polished presentation just a touch.

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How safe is it?

The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has not tested the Porsche Macan but its European equivalent NCAP has, awarding the model the full five-star rating.

Despite its excluded driver assistance systems, it still gets parking sensors all round with reversing and 360-degree cameras, auto emergency braking, cruise control, lane departure warning, signature four-point LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, side and curtain airbags for both rows of seating, and ISOFIX mounts for two child seats.

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VERDICT

The Macan T is absolutely a Porsche in styling, quality and handling – but its engine and performance don’t keep the promises that the enticing looks make.

In that regard, the Macan T has more in common with the original 911T than we were expecting.

If you can look past the handful of omitted features and focus on what you do get included in the price, the T badge brings a significant upgrade to the standard Macan variant for not much extra cash.

To a majority of aspiring Porsche owners, that’ll make a lot of sense.

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2022 Porsche Macan T specifications

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