Sporty SUVs are coming in hot. The idea is that they perfectly mix the practicality of an SUV with the exciting driving experience of a sports car. But does this ever really work? The Porsche Cayenne and the Macan are some of the most popular examples of the segment. People love them. But, as the new 2021 Porsche Macan GTS is being tested, is it actually BOTH things; practical and sporty? 

Is there are new Porsche Macan Coming out? 

The folks at MotorTrend recently tested the new 2021 Porsche Macan. The Macan has long been a fan favorite, even though the crossover has all but killed the sedan market. What can I say? Folks love a sporty crossover. However, there are some problems with the segment though. To make something big enough for SUV status while also being light and nimble enough for sporty driving is quite the trick and MT suggests maybe the new Porsche isn’t one to one on sports and utility. 

Is the 2021 Porsche Macan a good car? 

I think it would be tough to argue that the Macan isn’t a good car, but a few issues are worth addressing. MotorTrend only found three negative things worth mentioning. 

The back seats are predictably tiny. This is what will inevitably mess up the balance between sports and utility. A smaller footprint is key to the sports side of things. The wider and heavier a vehicle is, the less nimble it will be. Porsche is always going to steer into the sports side over the utility aspect of an SUV. 

Speaking of the interior, Porsche has come to be known as not only a sports car, but there is definitely a luxury element to the marque these days. There was once a time when Porsches were little more than go-carts with a roof and doors. This has shifted into a luxury status symbol, and the price tag shows that change clearly. The problem is, while the interior is nice, it still isn’t entirely on the same level as other SUVs in the Macan’s tax bracket. 

The Porsche Macan GTS ain’t cheap. In fact, to get the hopped up, hot-shoe verison, you’ll have to cough up at least $73,450. But if you want to have any fun (like the MT tester), you could get up past the $90k mark. That is serious cash for a cramped SUV. 

Is the Macan worth the money? 

The smaller Porsche SUV packs a pretty serious punch with its 375-horsepower turbocharged 2.9-liter V6. What’s more, the 383-lb-ft of torque goes to all four wheels giving this thing the last bit of snap and grip it needs to be a properly thrilling ride; and thrilling it is, indeed.

Let’s talk about the look of the Macan for a minute. MotorTrend notes that Porsche offered the writers a Macan dressed in Miami Blue with the Black 20-inch wheels. This optional color scheme is not one that comes to an owner easily. This package will run customers an extra 3,120 cabbages. 

This SUV can take a corner 

The Most Porsche aspect of the Macan is that you can run it hard through a corner. Porsche has never been the massive horsepower muscle ripper; the sports cars have always cared more for taking a corner at 100 mph than hitting 300 mph in a straight line. Anyone with sense knows that that is the more fun driving style. It’s a cliche, but it is, in fact, more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Not to say that the 2021 Porsche Macan is slow, of course. 

Overall the Porsche Macan seems to be an exciting car for a bit of back-road thrashing and to commute to work five days a week. Even if it is a bit pricey, too small, and less luxurious than some competitors, Porsche has built a rocket masquerading as a family-friendly SUV.