The Opinion: Why I am enthused about the Porsche Macan

The Porsche Macan tickled my fancy earlier this week, not because it is ultimately attractive but because of its size, and I will endeavor to explain why.

Cars tend to get bigger with every generation and SUV’s are no exception to the rule. Ten years ago I remember my father parking a current shape Range RoverLand Rover Range Rover (modern) Gen.3 [L322]United Kingdom, 2002 > 201243 versions
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on the drive for the first time and I could not believe how big it was. It dwarfed the Mercedes E-Class estateMercedes-Benz E350 Estate...Germany, 2009 > present5 photos
parked next to it and made the previous Range Rover look quite inadequate. Fortunately I like the Range Rover and its beguiling mix of off-road ability and plush interior appointments.

I was less enamored when AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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unveiled the gargantuan Q7Audi Q7 Gen.1Germany, 2006 > 201450 versions
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, I acknowledge the Audi’s talents, but find it’s styling obnoxious and its size unnecessary. It does not even ride well due to Audi’s fascination with huge wheels and a ‘sporty drive’, I find myself wondering ‘why bother?’ when the car weighs two and a half tones and is as likely to see the Nürburgring as I am to take one there.

Of course, Audi is not the only manufacturer to stiffen springs and force us to endure a spine crunching ride in search of sportiness. BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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has the same ethos with its X5 M SportBMW X5 xDrive40d M SportGermany, 2010 > present2 photos
and even MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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damages ride quality with the addition of 20” wheels to many models. For me, if I want a sports car I’ll drive one of those and if I want a car with go anywhere ability then I want it to ride well and cosset me.

I have believed in this theory for some while now but the new BMW X3BMW X3 Gen.2Germany, 2010 > present26 versions
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changed things slightly for me in 2010. BMW has got on top of the ride quality issues that have blighted its models recently and the X3 felt like a sensible size for European roads once again. In reality it is a very similar size to the old E53 X5BMW X5 Gen.1Germany, 1999 > 200612 versions
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, putting the growth of such models into perspective. This is plenty big enough for anyone who doesn’t need the ability to carry more than four passengers.

Porsche has improved the CayennePorsche CayenneGermany, 2002 > present3 series
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steadily over the last nine years and it is, in Autoviva’s view, the best handling large SUV on the market, it also rides pretty well.

The Macan will be close in size to the X3 and VW groups’VolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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own Q3Audi Q3Germany, 2011 > present66 versions
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, another car that is better than its big brother and these appeals to me. It is not as ‘in your face’ as the larger car and promises to handle well, it also comes with a more sensible V6 engine, even in range-topping Turbo form. The Turbo will have 370bhp and I suspect will be an awful lot easier to hustle across country than the Cayenne, all the while offering plenty of visibility from its elevated driving position.

Factor in an improved media system, and one hopes fewer buttons on the centre console and the Macan might be an SUV I could live with.

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