Have had my Volcano Grey S/Bordeaux-black/air suspension/Sport chrono for about a month.. love it. Coming from ML350, X5, and two X3 M40i's. I'm surprised how calm and composed the car is, coming from a M40i which has a more frenetic personality.

Pros: Love the air suspension, very plush in Normal and very sporty in Sport Plus. I would call Sport more like a Normal +, still very compliant. Power delivery is very smooth and refined. Handling is telepathic. Steering feel is great, I'm convinced it's partially due to the thinner steering wheel compared to the overly thick M ones. Build quality is great with one minor issue - see cons below. First time w ventilated seats - subtle but effective. Bose is better than the Harman Kardon in the BMW but still a little bass heavy. Love the LED headlights. The car has a lot more presence than the X3 and definitely feels more special even though they're fairly common here in NYC.

Cons: the tech is solid but dated, no HUD, BMW's iDrive **** controller/driver biased dash is superior to the touch screen setup in the Macan, the cupholders are an afterthought, and although I love my Nine Volt wireless charger (installed where the small storage bin below the gear shifter was) it's still not an ideal location for a phone. My clamshell hood is ever so slightly misaligned - may ask the dealer to take a look when I bring it in for its first service but not a big deal, and I am very picky, chalk it up to the somewhat old school clamshell design.

Overall very happy w the vehicle, it's got many of the best Porsche attributes in a very usable format. Looking forward to spending the next 38 months with it. No regrets leasing a car that could use a refresh which probably won't happen, and no Macan EV envy at all. Great car.

 

Congrats! Love my '23 S also, in a very similar style option/package.

 

Congrats on your new Macan. The misaligned hood seems to be a common thing lately. There's a lengthy thread about it at the Macan UK forum :https://www.macanforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=11566 : https://www.macanforums.co.uk/viewto...p?f=20&t=14402

 

Yeah I noticed the hood/side panel body gap right away when i was taking delivery, dealer told me it was normal. So yes I'm a little disappointed with the body gap tolerances but it is specific to the hood only, and I don't really notice it anymore. The Macan EV obviously doesn't need a clamshell hood and has a 'regular' hood with a traditional cutline so I expect the gaps to be much more uniform w the EV. My overall takeaway is yes it's an aging design/platform but it is very well executed and there isn't another make/model anywhere i'd rather be in in this segment.

 

OP- thanks for sharing your initial impressions. I drive a 2022 X3 M40i and really like it overall but I totally share your exact sentiments on driving mannerisms between the two vehicles. The Porsche blows the M40i away in suspension and handling. It’s not even close with or without air.

However, this is what’s still holding me back from switching to a 2025 Macan S:
- To spec a Macan S as close to a M40i as possible your looking at $92K which is right on the heels of a GTS and I don’t want to go backwards in the features and luxuries
- The throttle pressure and amount of throttle the Macan needs in everyday driving is horrible compared to a M40i which is just effortless and responsive…the M40i blows the Macan S away in this area
- I typically lease and the current MF on a 2025 Macan S is .0040 which is beyond ridiculous and puts monthly payments close to $1K even with a $8k car allowance and $10K down
- Porsche maintenance costs have to be factored

My hearts wants a Macan but my head is saying don’t pay the “Porsche tax”

 

Completely agree with your assessment - the M40i is definitely the better 'value' especially if you're leasing (LOVED the included maintenance w BMW leases - never paid a dime in maintenance in 9 years of leasing) and i agree the throttle is much more responsive in the M40i, which also gets better gas mileage, but I've wanted a Porsche for decades (i'm 54) and the Macan S was my way in. I managed to keep my build to around $84k so I think you could probably uncheck some boxes to lower the price. One pleasant surprise is that the Macan was over $1k less/yr to insure for some reason. No regrets w the mild splurge on the Macan S, was worth it to me.

 

I drove BMWs for the last 20+ years. Last 3 were F80 Comp, F87 Comp and G80, all 6MT. I was looking for something more practical and easier to get in and out and generally...more fun daily than the G80. The G80 matured too much vs. the F80 and felt sterile as a daily to me -- unless you push it hard, it was just like the 330i with slightly louder sound, and better handling. It completely transforms when you push it over 4500 RPM which was not applicable every day. I preferred the "wild factor" of the F8x (S55 engine) over the G80 (S58).
I looked at the X3 m40i, X3M but the X3 is waaaayyyy too big. X1 and X2 are OK size but only offered with the 2.0L 4-cylinder. X4 was not it...
Then I stumbled upon the Macan and loved the size, sound, analog feel, no unnecessary technology... Soon, I learned about other things:
- the comfort of the sir suspension vs. any BMW cannot be compared
- The handling of the Macan is at least on-par with the G80, much better than the X3
- The sound (loud then stepped on) and quietness is again much better than the X3
- the Bose system is way better than the HK
- the steering feel and feedback of the Macan is...well, now I understand what the BMW guys were complaining about...
- the build quality of the Macan (no creeks, buzzes, unwanted sounds) is better
I never thought I was going to say that I like the AT (DCT) but I really like it after my whole life of Manual transmission (I do not miss it).

The negatives of the Macan would be as some pointed out:
1) expensive. $110k for the loaded GTS is too much for this type of vehicle
2) I am not sure/comfortable yet to fully push it -- it feels like it should be babied vs G80 that begged to be pushed?? Should I feel confident that the PDK + 2.9V6TT can sustain consistent spirited driving and being pushed to the limit?
3) The throttle response in Normal mode is what it appears to be anemic, however, it just requires more push. Responds well. I like it in the sport mode for daily. Sport+ is only good in Manual shifting mode for daily as it holds the RPMs high
4) Can I turn off the beeping when opening/closing the trunk?
5) Can I make the surround camera warning sound louder?
6) Yes, at this price point, it would be nice to offer a 3-year free maintenance program like BMW did.

 

I also picked up a new, 2024 Macan S recently. I have about 200 miles on the odometer currently. I've been super busy without much time for road trips!

I agree with much of what has been said above. The suspension and handling are just miles ahead of the BMW X3 M40i. Perhaps it's the run flats, but I always found the BMW a little choppy and less confidence inspiring unless the pavement is flawless (a rarity here in The States). The tech on the Macan can be a little frustrating. My biggest gripe is that it takes four or five taps to change from FM over to the SD card and then another couple of tabs to select an artist and album. In my 2020 Macan there was a button for "Source" that simplified the steps tremendously. So, I typically line up my music before putting it in Drive so I don't have to fiddle while driving.

Otherwise, for me the power is just right -- more than enough to get you into trouble. I also love the stock, steel-spring suspension. I didn't see the need for Air Suspension. I do use PASM often, and like to tighten things up on twisty roads. My other vehicle is a 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, so let's just say that the handling is night and day...

-James
Denver, CO

 

Yours is very similar to my '23 S! Mine's also Dolomite Silver, with the Black/Bordeaux interior. I'm on air suspension, though and I have added colored center caps since this photo was taken.

 

Now that we're sharing, here's my 3rd Macan (2nd GTS) and I LOVE this car. As you see from my signature, I do have another Gen-1 Spyder to drive for those oh-so-great twisties and canyons but for my daily drive here in Florida, this 2018 GTS is epic.

And yes, agreed, the Sport mode is best as it stiffens the suspension just a tad, keeps the revs a bit higher and sharpens the engine response. Super fun.

Congrats on your new ride!

 

We also came from a BMW to the Macan. The wife had an X5 s4.0 (2024) which dropped a valve. That and all of the other issues, recalls, stupid iDrive 8.5.3.f.1.8.b and just the size drove her to the Macan. I went with her on the test drive but never drove it, I know what a Porsche feels like. I did have her drive both the S and non-S, and she (naturally) preferred the V6. The tech in the Porsche is lacking, if you're into that. She is not, and I don't care although I agree with @JDaily that some of the music manipulation could (and should) be better. We bought used, so that save some coin. She has no regrets buying the Macan. She had a lot of regrets buying the X5 (and this is after owning many BMWs).

I finally got to drive it on a recent road trip, and the ride is a smidgen softer on the BMW (which is great on the highway) but even in comfort mode, the handling is much sharper and confidence inspiring. The only thing I don't like is the lazy throttle, but of course, that can be easily compensated by pressing down a bit harder.

 

We are looking at getting a '22 Macan S in a few months or whenever my M2 comp sells.

X3 M40i -- its extremely powerful and has good brakes. the steering is bad though. no feel and idk there feels like a disconnect between the suspension and the steering input. like you need alot of mid corners adjustments to combat the lean/bounce when you hit a mid corner bump. MPG is very impressive too as you can run 89 octane (min rating) and return 30mpg highway. The part that really made me drop it down on the list was the premium HK system. It is awful. hollow sounding. No subwoofers. My GT3 bose system hits bass notes harder. Briefly considered the X5 but it is massive and overkill for just 2 people.

Volvo XC60 recharge ultimate - we were very impressed with this. drove it germany from frankfurt to nurburg. ability to go EV around town. and the gas engine is silent when it does kick on. the Bowers stereo is truly truly impressive. Never heard anything like it. The car looks great too especially in the 'dark' theme. However this all gets erased by volvo reliability issues. watch savagegeese xc90 review and prepare to be horrified.

Lexus NX350h -- she likes it, i dont. honestly the car was just bleh generic SUV. probably very reliable though and lexus cars hold value well.

Macan S - it just does everything right. The steering problems and weak stereo are improved from the X3. there is less NVH. It rides better. pdk is better than zf8. you have confidence to push the car which i didn't get in the x3. You do pay more for it: 10-15k difference between a '22 x3 and macan s. But we are buying used and there will be minimal financing. Cash-in vs cash-out its probably a wash with the x3 considering how those depreciate.

so bottom line: X3 is a better value and has more practicality. Macan is the better car if you value suspension, nvh, stereo, steering feel.

 

i
Right in the $84K range seems like the sweet spot in the Macan S range. It sounds like you have the perfect spec.

 

Yeah very happy with my spec, I skipped surround view as a cost savings measure and wouldn't mind having it but can live without it. Someone mentioned above the analog feel of the car - yes, very true, finding current BMW's a bit gimmicky and over the top tech wise. And yes the non run-flats in the Macan vs run-flats in the BMW's also make a difference, i've been driving on run flats for the last 12 years and forgot what 'normal' tires felt like, way more plush.

 

When you said that the throttle pressure on a Macan S is objectionable.
SO, I went to have another test drive in my Salesman's 2024 Macan GTS.
I didn't notice that there was any issue using the throttle in city and highway driving.
Perhaps this is not an issue in the GTS, and only in the Macan S.