2021 Porsche Macan Performance

The fastest model is obviously the one with the most power, and in this case, that honor falls upon the GTS. It is powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that generates 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to all-wheel-drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Macan GTS will launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds in standard configurations. With the available Sport Chrono package, that sprint time drops by two-tenths of a second, but top speed remains at 162 mph - far more than you'll ever need in a compact SUV.

The Macan S, although less powerful, isn't all that far behind. It's powered by a 3.0-liter V6 with a single turbo that helps produce 348 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. This model takes 5.1 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint with the top speed arriving at 157 mph. The base Macan with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger generates only 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, but that's still enough to get to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and to achieve a top speed of 141 mph. Like the GTS, these models can be had with the Sport Chrono package that features launch control, and this will drop the 0-60 times of these models by two-tenths as well. All models can tow 4,409 lbs.

The standard engine in the base Macan is a 2.0-liter turbo-four producing 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Although this may not seem like much, the Macan does a good job of getting out of its own way, and the seven-speed PDK transmission that does duty in all Macan models does a brilliant job of utilizing the available thrust from the engine. It's truly a marvel that Porsche has managed to make this gearbox seem perfect for all three engine offerings, but that's exactly what it is. Shifts are telepathically well-timed and sharply delivered, with a smoothness that can put some traditional automatic 'boxes to shame. Acceleration is strong even with this base motor, but you will need more time and space to complete ambitious overtaking maneuvers than with the other two engines.

In the Macan S, a 3.0-liter turbo V6 puts out 348 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Despite large capacity and only one turbo, the Macan S has excellent throttle response and a willingness to rev that is often lacking from turbocharged engines. Taking off from a dead stop is a simple task that occurs quicker than you'd expect from something weighing over 4,000 lbs, while overtaking is truly easy.

The Macan GTS is the one that provides the most thrills, and a test drive will confirm this right off the bat. It's got a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and the experience in this machine is simply sublime. If you ever thought that an SUV couldn't suck you back into your seat under acceleration, the GTS will totally recalibrate your brain. Acceleration is instantaneous, and you can easily bully Corvette owners from the line. On the freeway, the engine is similarly impressive, and once again, the PDK is the perfect companion in either its default setting or in manual mode, where shifts are delivered the instant you pull a paddle back. Overall, there are very few competitors that offer such a brilliant package, and the Macan stands out even among these.

As you'd expect, it's the four-pot that is the most economical Macan, but gas mileage on the other models isn't far behind either. While the base 2.0-liter returns 19/23/21 mpg city/highway/combined according to the latest available information from the EPA, the Macan S with its 3.0-liter V6 does 18/24/20 mpg on the same cycles. The GTS is only a touch worse with figures of 17/22/19 mpg. All models are fitted with a 19.8-gallon gas tank, equating to 415.8, 396, and 376.2 miles of range for each model, respectively.