This really has been bugging me lately on my decision on choosing a base Macan over an SQ5 as a first car. Both cars are in the 60k-70k pricepoint but performance is vastly different.

Got a 2021 Macan base with premium package and some other options totaling $67k after everything.

I just want to hear some opinions or insight on what you guys would choose.

 

It was exactly my struggle too before I made the final decision. Price point is almost the same between the two. My Macan base is actually more than a PP+ SQ5.

It’s your choice really. My decision is based on the fact that I don’t need it to be super fast and super high tech. All I care about are the handling (Porsche is clearly the winner comparing with the Audi), the unique badge, the look, and overall driving experience. In other words, my choice wasn’t really focused on dollar values.

You should test drive both, and maybe you can make the choice a lot easier.

 

I thought about it earlier this year before I got my 2022 macan base. Sat is SQ5 , did not feel the love. Did not even drive it ..
another factor , Macan traditionally hold much better value than SQ5 , most likely related to brand

 

Basically the same thinking as me, chose luxury over performance.

 

From a standard equipment perspective, Audi does luxury and tech way better than Porsche. Porsche is performance first, luxury dependent on how much you want to spend to add it. And by performance, I don't mean numbers on paper, it's the overall vehicle dynamics. If your priority is luxury, it would make a lot more financial sense to start with an Audi than a base Macan. Porsche is a luxury brand but they don't actually make luxury cars. They make performance cars. You can load up a base Macan with as much of the tech and luxury options available which unfortunately will matter very little come resale so that's fine if your goal is to keep it for 6+ years. You can get a bunch of leather everywhere but even then, the tech is still going to be well behind Audi's virtual cockpit.

I really wanted to like the SQ5 when I was shopping because it would have made a lot more financial sense. But once I got behind the wheel of a Macan GTS, it just drove so much better dynamically that it made the SQ5 feel sterile. And I personally don't care too much about car tech so the strong points of the SQ5 would have been wasted on me. The only bit of tech I wanted and got on my Macan was surround view. The SQ5 is still a good car but I just wasn't interested in it anymore. I'm not the average car buyer as I need my cars to excite me. I buy cars based on money factor, driving performance, and looks. Brand and luxury are much lower on my radar. The Macan T does seem like a good bundle that carries the Porsche handling dynamics along with the Porsche design though for a lot less money than a GTS. I'd be tempted to get that with the T interior package, premium package, and call it a day.

 

I’ve sat in the new SQ5 and thought it was a very nice package. I’m sort of an Audi fan boy myself. I’ve had a few Audis (currently own one) including a Q5 many moons ago but the SQ5 wasn’t in my sights when I was looking for a Macan GTS allocation. The SQ5 is an excellent choice if you want a bit of performance, cool tech, and supple interior. In regards to driving dynamics, Porsche has it dialed in. There is no substitute. The Audi is roomier also. Between a base Macan and the SQ5, I’d choose the Audi. You can’t go wrong either way

 

I owned a 2019 Audi Q5 and currently own a 2020 Porsche Macan. My comments are directed at the Q5 rather than the SQ5, but I think many of the points will hold true.

Headline: It primarily comes down to how much you value handling vs. luxury features and sheer power.

-- Audi Q5 --
Pros: 1) More interior space, 2) nicer luxury features (e.g. B&O stereo in Prem+ package), 3) better gas mileage than the Macan, and 4) lower price comparably equipped.
Cons: 1) The styling is just "meh" compared to the Macan (which I think is gorgeous) 2) The better gas mileage on the Q5 is achieved through Quattro "Ultra" which essentially reverts to Front-Wheel Drive at cruising speeds robbing it of that sporty, rear-wheel-drive feel. The SQ5 may be different. 3) The handling is "fine" but not exceptional.

-- Porsche Macan --
Pros: 1) I have the base Macan with the standard suspension on 19" wheels and I just *love* how this thing takes the switchbacks here in the Colorado Rockies. 2) It is a really attractive vehicle with a far more coherent design than either the Q5 or the X3 for example. 3) Fuel Economy - while it's slightly worse than the Q5, it's better than the SQ5, and that matters to me. I'm driving through low-population areas out here and >500 mile range is a very nice feature. I've driven Seattle to Denver, Denver to New York (and back), Denver to Palm Springs (and back) and Denver to Utah many times (and back), etc. 4) If you're into that kind of thing, you can customize the Macan far more than the Q5, assuming you're willing to pay the price.

Cons: 1) The Macan is relatively expensive. As stated above, you can get a 4-cylinder Macan for the price of an SQ5. 2) The tech is "fine" but not exceptional at this price point.

So for me, I appreciate the handling, love how it looks, and while it's down on power I also appreciate the fuel economy. I'm a very happy camper.

-James
Denver, CO

PS: My 2019 Audi Q5 turned out to be a Lemon. I put 3,000 miles on it (mostly on a road trip through the Canadian Rockies in August), and the A/C never worked properly. Lemons can happen to any brand, so I've tried not to let that sway my opinions above.

 

I have to give a nod to the Audi.

I can't say this without conceding some bias- I love Audi S and RS line products. Love them. No one blends luxury and performance as well as Audi in their upper trim cars.

And I'll also concede I've never driven an SQ5, but I've owned both prior gen Macans in S trim, and drove MANY base Macans as loaners.

A base Macan with minimal options feels like a fleet car. Let me be clear- it feels right at home as a service loaner. It doesn't feel special in any way. Anyone who says it does is probably not familiar with the Porsche brand. It only vaguely touches on what makes a Porsche a Porsche, and if you strip away the badge and styling you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between a Q5. It does have a sportier suspension but as a commuter vehicle, it's not all that special and it still isn't quite at the point of rivalling sports sedans without the upgraded suspension. Not much better than a Q5. And honestly, there are too many Macans on the road for the brand to make it feel special either.

The base Macan just "blends in", and doesn't feel particularly special over a base Q5.

Now, if you start loading up some options things will change rapidly... but you still have the inferior engine. It's not a bad engine! I loved that 2.0 in the S3 I had... but putting a 4 cylinder in an SUV, even a smaller one, is not exciting in any way, and I don't see why people would actively choose to spend extra just to have the badge.

All that being said, the SQ5 is a true bargain for the package you get. It's a true top trim Audi product, and it feels and looks truly special. Compared to a Macan S with $10k+ in options, it can't compete. A Macan GTS, even an old one? LOL!

To a base Macan though? I'd pick the SQ5 all day every day.

 

I agree with this absolutely 100%. I bought a RS5 in 2014 and still have it. It's an amazing car that few people know about.

The base engine is a workhorse of the VW Audi group. But I've always felt that Porsches should exceed in driving dynamics when compared to others in its class and the base engine with base suspension capped off with the standard interior is merely adequate. The only thing the base excels at is how high its pricing is when new. Gently used and decently optioned, the base Macan can still be an okay package though.

 

Considering a 2019 SQ5 to have a second SUV in rotation. Thank you for the insight, seeing market for them in the 40-50k range.

I honestly do not think the exterior is superb compared to a Macan or the newer facelifted Audi models but for the performance, it shall suffice.

 

You know this is the Porsche forum right? I chose the Macan because I don't care about tech. The wide screen integrated in the dash has a clean look and best in class black levels so that's nice. Didn't consider the Audi because the interior looks like a space ship. I like the use of regular gages and buttons on the center console of our 21 S. And, the driving dynamics are amazing!

 

We drove the Audi’s and BMW’s (have had many of both). Ultimately chose the Macan base. Car is my wife’s dd. Six months later and no regrets.

 

I drove SQ5 for 5 minutes and returned it to the dealership. The seats were just really uncomfortable and I'm not that big. The interior sucks big time as it was not updated unlike with Q3/A6.

I wouldn't get a base Macan personally as it makes no sense to me but it's a nice city car.

 

What happened with your Q5 AC? I ask because I had similar issues with an Audi. It would randomly "lose its mind" and start blowing hot air when the outside temp is 85+. Dealer attempted to fix a couple times and could not. I had to use manual controls and set it to "LO" and run the fan myself. I think the system was mechanically fine (ie compressor/condenser/fan all worked) - just something in the control loop was not stable.

 

We were faced with a similar decision back in 2020, Macan Base or Q5 P+? They are both good cars but we went with the Macan. My wife bought a new Q5 P+ back in 2015 and we still have it, it's been a great car, been on many trips. Both cars fit nicely in long term airport parking, hotels etc. They are great travel cars.
Back then the 2020 Q5's had a weird short gear selector and a worthless touch pad that bugged me. The virtual cockpit is cool but I prefer normal gauges.
The Macan had too much cheap looking black plastic, and a lag or slow response from a stop. (Apparently the S & GTS have the same lag)
As far as the Macan Base or Q5 P+ being a city only car is just ignorant, I can pass slow traffic any time in either of our cars with ease, the Macan Base handles the hills surprisingly well with 19's, fun to drive. So for any one that stumbles onto this thread that is undecided they are both great in town or travel cars.