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My wife and I have been looking for a newer (and nicer) SUV for her to drive (and me occasionally) and have really gravitated to the Macan. We both really like the looks of it. Many of the Youtuve reviews I have read say that the base is a bit underpowered and if possible go for the S model. Is that really the case? I mean for her, I am not sure if she really needs that many horsepower. She is currently driving a 2010 Honda CRV and it has done well for her up to this point. I am pretty sure the base Macan has more HP than the CRV she has been rocking the last several years. We would try to get the newest model we can ('16 or '17 - preferably a CPO but not sure).
Just wanted to get current owners opinions on this. We will be going to the dealership this weekend if the weather holds up to possible test drive a Macan and also an Audi Q3 (she likes those as well).
More than happy with our 2019 "base +". By far one of the best cars I've owned over the years and plenty of power for daily driving / weekend utility. Not to mention the money saved on the base trim helped put something a little more expensive next to it in the garage.
I guess you'd have to go test drive to realize that 248HP is good/bad. I have the "S" with the 3.0L/V6/340HP. It launches that 4400lbs car with near neck-snapping instant'ish response (Launch Control). Will 248HP do that? I dunno, but my guess is that Porsche wouldn't sell anything that didn't have a bit of oooomph. 'Ya gotta test drive it. Good luck!!
I would say it's more of an issue of the lag. It likes to think long before it actually goes. You have to be aggressive with the throttle. My wife test drove the base and she bought an S. She did not like the way the base drove. Mind you she is not a fast driver. But she likes a car that responds when you give it input. The base felt unsafe when pulling out in traffic. Maybe a tune or always running in sport would fix that.
My wife and I have been looking for a newer (and nicer) SUV for her to drive (and me occasionally) and have really gravitated to the Macan. We both really like the looks of it. Many of the Youtuve reviews I have read say that the base is a bit underpowered and if possible go for the S model. Is that really the case? I mean for her, I am not sure if she really needs that many horsepower. She is currently driving a 2010 Honda CRV and it has done well for her up to this point. I am pretty sure the base Macan has more HP than the CRV she has been rocking the last several years. We would try to get the newest model we can ('16 or '17 - preferably a CPO but not sure).
Just wanted to get current owners opinions on this. We will be going to the dealership this weekend if the weather holds up to possible test drive a Macan and also an Audi Q3 (she likes those as well).
Thanks In Advance!
Get this tune installed. You will be very happy with the performance of the four cylinder.
Forgive my ignorance but when people put tunes on their cars, does that cause the check engine light to come on? If it does, how do people know if there is a problem with their car?
Mine was installed by the service director at my Porsche dealer. No "check engine" lights. He said it is as fast as a Macan "S".
Go to the tab that shows dealers in your area. There should be an Audi or Porsche dealer nearby that installs the software. And my car now defaults to turning off the "stop/start" function.
We owned a 2017 Macan base. The S is definitely more responsive. The base does experience lag and there were instances of wanting to pull out and go and there was no go for a second. It did not decrease the overall enjoyment of owning the Macan. It's a great vehicle and one I would own again.
Test drive the base and see how it feels. Don't test drive higher trim levels of the base feels good. For the type of vehicle it is, I think the base engine is more than adequate.
Yes, the 2.0 four cylinder does not start to kick in till you reach around 2,500 rpm. After that, it does generate good performance, and a lot less in price than the "S" model.
I had a base Macan for a loaner for a day last year. When I returned it at the end of the day when my car was ready, I told them I thought the handbrake was stuck on. Kidding.
I just did a quick peek for a 2020 base Macan 0-60 time and found a result of 6.3s for the 248 hp four cyl. That's not bad. Like most of these subjective evaluations, you have to drive it yourself and decide if the performance will meet your needs.
We owned a 2017 Macan base. The S is definitely more responsive. The base does experience lag and there were instances of wanting to pull out and go and there was no go for a second. It did not decrease the overall enjoyment of owning the Macan. It's a great vehicle and one I would own again.
Test drive the base and see how it feels. Don't test drive higher trim levels of the base feels good. For the type of vehicle it is, I think the base engine is more than adequate.
I was thinking this as well. She would be coming from a CRV with has less power than a Base Macan. I think she will be ok with the Base and will enjoy the interior much more than what she is rocking currently. Have you had any serious problems since you have owned it? We are going to be looking at 2016 and 2017s.
Got my wife the base model ( 2017). she is supper happy and has the power.
I also find the base is very gas economical. my daughter drives the Q3
its a good car , but small. the Macan is like the Q5.
go for the base, you will save money.
Going from a CRV to a base Macan will be an upgrade in performance so I don't think she'll miss having more HP. Now if she went to test drive a Macan Turbo then a base afterwards, that's a different story.
Going from a CRV to a base Macan will be an upgrade in performance so I don't think she'll miss having more HP. Now if she went to test drive a Macan Turbo then a base afterwards, that's a different story.
05-27-2021, 12:00 PM
Is the base Macan really underpowered?
Kidding. 
