I'm looking onto getting a Macan. Can't decide if I should go with the S or GTS. Would like to hear people's thoughts and experiences from ownership

 

If money isn't a concern, get the GTS. Personally, I couldn't justify the difference in price so settled on the S. I live in a city so hardly ever drive the car over 40mph except for some occasional highway driving.

Before I had a 2015 Turbo with 400 hp. The S is now 375 hp and GTS is around 430 hp. The same engine in both.

Either way, great car.

The other issue to consider is how long you will keep it.

The GTS will depreciate less initially because there is more demand and fewer supply.

 

GTS cost more but is rarer. Comes standard with performance options that are options on the S. If you are performance biased like me, you can never have enough power so GTS. Yes you can "tune" the S to the same levels or more, but I prefer to keep my cars stock while under warranty. The PSCB (surface coated brakes) are awesome in hauling down these heavy SUVs and essential IMHO. They are stock on the GTS optional on the S.

 

GTS is a better car than an S in everything, if you remove money from the equation.

Sure it costs more, but it has its own cult following and is in high demand in the used car market, so doesn’t really cost that much more in the long run.

 

That's a bold statement!

OP, I went through this exercise a couple years ago and went with a highly optioned S because it was the best value compared to the GTS. You can option the S close to the GTS for about $10k less. Real world performance is almost identical... the important performance factors are very close to each other - weight (GTS weighs 50lbs more), torque (20lb-ft difference), tire size, suspension, 0-60 time (GTS 0.3 seconds faster). The S with PASM, Sport Chrono, Sport Exhaust and PTV is a very capable SUV.

If you want the look of the GTS, don't mind the race-tex interior (or spending an extra $4k for leather), want the extra horsepower (which you'll likely never use), go with the GTS.

 

By the time I built the S the way we wanted, GTS became a no brainier.

@boyce89976 , leather is standard on GTS and you have an option between RaceTex or leather free of charge.

On S, leather is a $1800 option and full leather is a $6k option with stitching. GTS, you can option for full leather w/ stitching for $4k.

GTS also comes with PSCB's which you can not option an S with. (jury is out weather they are worth the hassle down the road when it comes to replacement)

 

If you add the GTS Sport Package, it doesn't look like you can get leather w/out race-tex according to the configurator. I would assume if you're getting the GTS, the GTS Sport Package would be the way to go rather than adding all of the options individually?

 

Correct on the GTS Sports Package - which is mainly all cosmetic besides Sport Chrono and PTV. This is an option we left out as PTV is no use for this car's grocery duties, Mrs wanted to chose her own styling along with wheel choice. Also, summer only tires that GTS Sports pack comes with was also a deal breaker.

If you do not click on that option, it appears there is more flexibility

 

Good points here and I had similar thoughts. My 2026 GTS lock is imminent.

 

As I said, if you take money out of the equation!!

 

As others have said, more available options, higher demand, and lower depreciation is a no-brainer for a modestly optioned "GTS" versus a highly optioned "S".photo743.jpg

 

You nailed it on the cost of ownership front - GTS depreciates less than an S by a good margin!

 

My wife just traded in her Tesla model Y for a Macan S. We test drove both the S and the GTS. For her, the GTS was way too high strung. More aggressive in looks, handling, power, sound, and feel. The seats were tightly bolstered and stiff. The S was more elegant and comfortable yet still quick and handles well. She loves the S. I don't particularly like it but it's growing on me. If it was for me I would 100% get the GTS.

 

The seat comfort is not related to trim but rather the design (14 way vs 18 way seats). My wife liked the 18 way but they are definitely sportier and a recommended "try before you buy" option.

 

Good point. For what it's worth I believe the seats in the car we drove were the 8 way Sport seats. She really likes the 14 way in her S. I really liked the 8 way sport seats.