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There's a couple of youtube videos out there where the reviewers are pretty emphatic that the S is the one to have: the GTS power bump is not drawn on by 90% of drivers, the price jump is not warranted, and the ride quality suffers in comparison.
Here's my 2 Cents - from my point of view:
1 - get an S if you don't care about the power bump (use or not, torque is used all the time) and air suspension
>> S has enough power for daily
>> S can be tuned and modified, and I think it's the best version of the macan for modifications (trade off between getting basic exhaust, suspension with PASM, etc)
2 - get a GTS if you want STOCK power to be higher, don't want to touch anything and get all the fancy *****
>> higher power at stock
>> just want the vehicle as is
I took the S route as I modified my macan to the way I want. Tuning GTS in california is not worth it, modifying GTS is not worth the loss of time.
Is the ride that different in a GTS? Just picked up 2026 GTS and find the ride compliant and not hash at all. I was fearful it would mimic an X3M and shake loose tooth fillings, but the ride is very comfortable in NORMAL mode. Would not fear the ride quality in the GTS and do noyt find a gap in ride quality with an "S". Tire size would of course effect the ride in either model.
Everyone keeps forgetting the brakes. The PSCBs on the GTS are incredible and IMHO needed if you are going to drive the Macan fast. Not to mention the polished look of the rotors (even in the rain or after a wash) and the zero dust on your wheels.
It's easy for me to make the haptics a deal killer because it means I get to shop for cheaper Macans It would be harder if the haptic ones were older and cheaper, and the buttons were the new thing. But I'd like to find something in the 30s which is already a stretch on a GTS without haptics!
I'll try to test drive a GTS tomorrow to see if I can tolerate the ride. It should be easy to downgrade to 20s, I'm sure people of folks want a staggered bling setup on their lower models. Air suspension is neither a pro nor a con for me, other than the cost to fix.
I have a friend who is deep into the HPDE world who tells me the GTS is worlds better than the S. I don't care about the power or the PSCBs (although lower dust on a german car for once would be nice!)
A lot of the critique for the GTS was when it was new -- whether it was worth the $$$ over the S. On the used market, the delta is smaller.
It's easy for me to make the haptics a deal killer because it means I get to shop for cheaper Macans It would be harder if the haptic ones were older and cheaper, and the buttons were the new thing. But I'd like to find something in the 30s which is already a stretch on a GTS without haptics!
I'll try to test drive a GTS tomorrow to see if I can tolerate the ride. It should be easy to downgrade to 20s, I'm sure people of folks want a staggered bling setup on their lower models. Air suspension is neither a pro nor a con for me, other than the cost to fix.
I have a friend who is deep into the HPDE world who tells me the GTS is worlds better than the S. I don't care about the power or the PSCBs (although lower dust on a german car for once would be nice!)
A lot of the critique for the GTS was when it was new -- whether it was worth the $$$ over the S. On the used market, the delta is smaller.
I have never found the ride quality of the air suspension on my 22 GTS to be an issue, and I have it set on the stiffest setting (2 LEDs on). Its cush compared to any 911. The haptics are a weak point. You need to take your eyes off the road to change anything and often they don't actuate reliably when I touch them. If you don't care about the power or the brakes, why aren't you looking at a base with a tune? If you want cheap as well?
I have never found the ride quality of the air suspension on my 22 GTS to be an issue, and I have it set on the stiffest setting (2 LEDs on). Its cush compared to any 911. The haptics are a weak point. You need to take your eyes off the road to change anything and often they don't actuate reliably when I touch them. If you don't care about the power or the brakes, why aren't you looking at a base with a tune? If you want cheap as well?
Good to know the ride seems fine. I assume it's not just the air spring but also adjustable dampers?
Power's always good, just that the difference between S and GTS or Turbo power is not that meaningful to me. 350hp is plenty. 250hp on a 4000lb+ vehicle with a 4cyl sounds unsatisfying. My current SUV is a diesel so only 265hp but way more weight and also more torque.
Good to know the ride seems fine. I assume it's not just the air spring but also adjustable dampers?
Power's always good, just that the difference between S and GTS or Turbo power is not that meaningful to me. 350hp is plenty. 250hp on a 4000lb+ vehicle with a 4cyl sounds unsatisfying. My current SUV is a diesel so only 265hp but way more weight and also more torque.
Torque is what really matters on the street. The later MY base is pretty torquy and with a tune probably better. Power gets you top speed for the most part. I drove a 25 base as a loaner and was quite impressed with it (compared to my 22 GTS).
I had a 2023 S for 6 months, while I waited for my 23 GTS to come in. The S had standard suspension and the GTS has air suspension. The S was a fine SAV and did everything you needed for a DD. The GTS rides better, handles better, has more power, sownds better and is just more fun to drive. So it is a DD on steriods. I put 43,000 on my 23 GTS and recently sold it, as I went ahead and ordered a 2026 GTS as I knew I would not be able to get another one after June and it is my DD of choice and I could have gotten any other vehicle for a DD - but I chose the GTS - it is the best alll around SAV available and if you don't need more space, the perfect DD. I miss having my DD, but by June I will be driving a GTS again.
If you are thinking about getting one, you will love it. If you get and S you will likely love that as well. No bad options with the current and soon to be extinct Macan line.
Last edited by supercup; Mar 27, 2026 at 09:51 PM.
Everyone keeps forgetting the brakes. The PSCBs on the GTS are incredible and IMHO needed if you are going to drive the Macan fast. Not to mention the polished look of the rotors (even in the rain or after a wash) and the zero dust on your wheels.
brakes for daily is negligible.
200 dollars + 150 for SS brakelines and it will be enough.
PSCB is just fancy for fancy brakes that are not needed for a daily grocery car.
I love the macan, but I'm not delusional into thinking that this is will be doing anything but daily driving.
Unless you're going to make it unique, I wouldn't be paying attention to rotors or brakes on an SUV.
Everyone keeps forgetting the brakes. The PSCBs on the GTS are incredible and IMHO needed if you are going to drive the Macan fast. Not to mention the polished look of the rotors (even in the rain or after a wash) and the zero dust on your wheels.
I'd recommend NOT looking at replacement costs for the Macan GTS Brakes -- at least OEM. Mind blown. That's a "future me" problem.
It would be harder if the haptic ones were older and cheaper, and the buttons were the new thing. But I'd like to find something in the 30s which is already a stretch on a GTS without haptics!
