With seven years (and counting) on local terra firma, Porsche’s Macan was and remains the petrolheads’ choice of premium mid-sized SUVs and the black sheep of the Stuttgart stable in the eyes of some brand-loyal purists. As the saying goes: healthy Macan business has allowed Porsche to continue to make world-leading sportscars.

That said, the Macan has, from day one, asserted itself as the alpha performer of its segment, even if the complexion of its sole generation has changed somewhat since its local release.

It arrived in mid 2014 as a three-guise, all-six-cylinder range. You could have then-base ‘S’ grade as a torquey 190kW/580Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel or with a more powerful 250kW/460Nm 3.0 V6 twin-turbo petrol V6 for around $85k-$87k, or opt for the top dog Turbo fitting a 3.6 biturbo V6 with Carrera S-matching 294kW, and 550Nm, at $123k. All all-wheel drive, all backed by seven-speed dual-clutch PDK gearboxes.

In early version, the petrol engines were Porsche’s, the diesel Audi sourced. The first 150 sold featured Porsche Sport Pack enhancements – larger wheels, Sport Chrono, et al – lifting pricing to $100k-$135k. Quick? Thus optioned, performance claims were 6.1, 5.2 and 4.6 seconds respectively for diesel S, petrol S and Turbo.

The Macan was pricier than key rivals and arguably worth it beyond badge cache. Its make-up was, Porsche claims, only 30 percent common with Audi Q5, with Stuttgart leveraging the remaining 70 per cent to hone a family hauler that felt and drove with true Porsche hallmarks and character.

It was and remains praised by local media as being the driving enthusiasts’ choice, a proper ‘plus-sized hot hatch’ experience in SUV clothing. Poise, grip, balance, stopping power – Macan had it all.

Its fit-out matched the pricing, with all version leather trim, dual-zone climate control, seven-inch touchscreen infotainment with a 40GB hard drive system, eight airbags and powered tailgate.

The Turbo adds self-levelling, height adjustable adaptive air suspension, which could be optioned on S versions. All versions got PASM damping smarts.

In 2016, the first GTS guise introduced a high-power 265kW/500Nm that wedged its performance pitch between S- and Turbo-level performance. For MY17, a base 2.0L turbo-four version, just called ‘Macan’, arrived bringing a Volkswagen/Audi Group-sourced 185kW/370Nm and a cheaper mid-$70k entry point.

Major under-bonnet changes came for MY19 in tandem with an elaborate facelift that effectively restyled Macan outside and in. Its sleeker exterior look kept in step with Porsche’s wider design trends and interior remodeling included new 10.9-inch infotainment with Apple and Android smartphone mirroring.

For MY19, gone were Porsche’s proprietary petrol sixes, replaced by a 260kW/480Nm single-turbo 3.0 V6 for the S and a wondrous 2.9L biturbo V6 – shared with Audi’s S and RS machinery – in the flagship Turbo offering a fulsome 324kW/550Nm. The same unit, albeit in a milder 280kW/520Nm, found its way under the GTS bonnet in 2020.

Diesel power? Gone. Not just from Macan but from Porsche’s entire model portfolio.

Macans are great drives in varying degrees of heat, form satisfying to thrilling. They’re not the most spacious mid-sized SUVs, cosy up front and tight in the rear, and the button-frenzied control arrays haven’t aged well. A lot of usually fundamental safety gear, too, was optional. But as fun-filled family haulers go, it’s a real thoroughbred in its higher-spec variants.

What goes wrong with a used Porsche Macan?

• Some owners have reported that the parking sensors are extremely sensitive.
• There are quite a few reports that the rear wiper can chatter or scrape noisily on the glass and even operating it can be quite fiddly. Although this is pretty easily fixed with upgraded wiper blades and you do get used to the wiper operation.
• There are a few reports that the exterior mirror electronics can malfunction, either failing to adjust or in some cases, adjusting themselves incorrectly.
• Macans fitted with a panoramic roof can develop rattles. The actual roof operation can become problematic, either not opening or closing on demand.
• It’s important to know the Macan has featured an extensive range of various engines and specific transmissions all with their own unique reliability characteristics but across the range, engine oil leaks are becoming common.

• However, we are finding the regularity of oil leaks are decreasing with each new generation of engine. Porsche are constantly evolving and ever improving their engines and platforms.
• Transfer case problems are regarded as common. This transfer case issue has resulted in Porsche extending the warranty on it.
• Depending on the year, spec and generation of Macan, various electrical & mechanical issues like fuel pumps & coolant leaks can occur.
• The diesel engined Macan can suffer from the same DPF and EGR problems as other modern diesels, but generally no more frequently than most other modern European cars.
• It is important to remember is that in the likely event that something will go wrong, it’s going to be expensive.
• Because the Macan is a performance SUV, they require expensive tyres which generally are softer and can wear out quickly. The brakes fitted to the Macan are large and can be more expensive to replace.
• The front suspension control arms are now considered a consumable & need replacing at around 40-50,000km.

Should you buy a used Porsche Macan?

Buying a Macan potentially has more to do with the specific Macan you may be looking at rather than buying a Macan in general.

There’s no denying the Macan, even after a few years and many thousands of kilometres is still a superb SUV and it does tick so many boxes.

But, it is absolutely critical that the Macan you’re looking at has a full and thorough service history and has been owned by someone that has cared for it like a beloved pet or favourite child.

The potential problem with the Macan is that due to it being a more affordable and popular Porsche, there is quite a high chance that you may unfortunately stumble onto an example that has been owned by someone that can only just afford the repayments, and therefore, has had to cut corners in regards to maintenance.

If this is the case, you could end up buying quite the money pit.

But find just the right example with a perfect history that doesn’t put too much of a stretch on your finances, and yes, you should buy one.

The Porsche Macan might just be the perfect SUV, just have a few thousand dollars set aside, just in case.