After spending a day navigating the roads of Oahu in a 2020 Porsche Macan, something clicked. Years of wondering about its popularity suddenly made sense. While I’m not about to hand out any beauty pageant awards for its exterior styling, I can unequivocally state that the 2020 Macan drives with the spirit of a sports car, wrapped in an SUV shell. The low seating position, surprising cornering agility, and genuinely quick acceleration completely won me over.
If you’re looking for the TL;DR of this review, here it is: The 2020 Porsche Macan is an absolute blast to drive, even if its looks are… well, let’s just say “understated.”
Image of a white 2020 Porsche Macan showcasing its exterior, highlighting the point that its driving performance surpasses its visual appeal.
Looks can indeed be deceiving. The 2020 Porsche Macan is a prime example of this. Its unassuming, almost vanilla styling hides a driving experience that is far more engaging and dynamic than you might expect.
Image of a person giving a thumbs up to the 2020 Porsche Macan, expressing positive sentiment despite its less striking design.
The fact that I’m willing to give this SUV a hearty thumbs up, despite its, shall we say, polarizing aesthetics, speaks volumes about how much I genuinely enjoyed driving it. It’s a paradox of good performance and questionable styling, a truly unique vehicle.
Unfiltered Thoughts on the 2020 Porsche Macan Experience
I know, I know, I’m a bit late to the party. The 2020 Porsche Macan has been on the market for a while, and there are already countless reviews out there. But hear me out. This isn’t your typical, run-of-the-mill review. Free from corporate pressures and sponsorships, I can offer a completely unfiltered perspective, even if some of it might be a bit blunt.
Image showing the front three-quarter view of the 2020 Porsche Macan, subtly highlighting the author’s critique of its less aggressive styling.
Have I mentioned that the Macan’s styling isn’t exactly my cup of tea? Just want to make sure we’re on the same page.
Exterior Styling: Functionality Over Flash?
Let’s be frank, Porsche’s design language, which works so beautifully on the iconic 911, seems to have lost some of its magic in translation to the SUV form factor, at least in my opinion. The overall shape of the 2020 Macan leans towards rounded and bulbous, which, to my eye, gives it a somewhat generic, almost Volkswagen-esque appearance.
Personally, I would have preferred a more angular and assertive design, perhaps taking cues from vehicles like the 2023 Cadillac XT5.
Image of the 2020 Porsche Macan’s rear three-quarter view, subtly reinforcing the comparison to less exciting designs.
Among the vast landscape of automotive design inspiration, it’s a bit puzzling why the Macan ended up bearing such a resemblance to a Volkswagen Beetle in its overall silhouette.
Detailed image of the 2020 Porsche Macan’s headlights, acknowledging the presence of distinct Porsche styling elements in specific areas.
However, it’s not all bad news in the styling department. Zoom in, and you’ll find classic Porsche design cues peeking through, particularly in the headlight design. The details are definitely more compelling than the overall form.
Image focusing on the 2020 Porsche Macan’s front grill, which the author identifies as a particularly well-designed aspect of the exterior.
The front grill is arguably the most visually appealing part of the 2020 Macan’s exterior. It’s assertive and distinctively Porsche.
Image of the Porsche badge on the 2020 Macan, playfully questioning if it should rather be a Volkswagen badge given the styling resemblance.
Sometimes, looking at the overall design, you might almost mistake it for another brand… almost.
Performance: Surprising Grunt from a 2.0L Turbo
Thankfully, the 2020 Macan’s performance is potent enough to make you almost forget about any reservations you might have about its looks. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, delivers far more punch than I initially anticipated. It’s genuinely powerful, and dare I say, genuinely fast. Scratch that – it’s freaking fast for what it is.
Image highlighting the 2.0L turbocharged engine of the 2020 Porsche Macan, emphasizing its unexpected performance capabilities.
You might chuckle at the idea of a 5,500 lb SUV being propelled by a “mere” 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, but in reality, it’s a surprisingly perfect match for the Macan. Seriously! Turbo lag is virtually nonexistent, and power surges in across the rev range. It’s the kind of performance that will definitely press you back into your seat.
Image of the 2020 Porsche Macan’s engine bay with the hood open, humorously suggesting ease of maintenance despite being a Porsche.
And for those mechanically inclined (or those anticipating Porsche-level maintenance costs), the hood opens wide, providing ample room for your mechanic to comfortably tackle any major engine work. It’s a Porsche after all, so… just something to keep in mind.
Mated to this spirited engine is a slick 7-speed “automated manual” transmission. Shifts are lightning-fast, and the subtle burble from the exhaust on each upshift is genuinely addictive.
Image of the 2020 Porsche Macan’s exhaust tips, highlighting the surprisingly good exhaust note for a four-cylinder engine.
The 2020 Macan, even with the base 2.0L engine, boasts one of the best-sounding exhausts I’ve ever encountered in a four-cylinder vehicle. Still, I stand by my initial styling comments.
Handling: Corner Carving SUV?
This is where the 2020 Macan truly shines and completely redefines expectations for an SUV. Porsche has always been renowned for producing exceptional handling vehicles, but I was genuinely surprised at how seamlessly this translated to an SUV platform. The 2020 Macan attacks corners with a level of confidence that rivals even my own 2012 Ford Mustang GT, which, frankly, is a bit unsettling!
Action shot of the 2020 Porsche Macan being driven dynamically, visually representing its impressive handling and cornering capabilities.
Yes, it’s a hefty 5,500 lb SUV, but it’s also, without a doubt, the best-handling 5,500 lb vehicle I’ve ever driven. The Macan corners flat, composed, and almost encourages you to push harder into each turn. It’s genuinely perplexing how Porsche managed to make such a substantial SUV feel so remarkably nimble and agile.
Image showing the base 18-inch wheels and tires of the 2020 Porsche Macan, emphasizing the surprising handling performance even with standard equipment.
What’s even more surprising is that this exceptional handling is achieved even with relatively modest 18-inch wheels. The base Macan might have the visual appeal of a “wimpy Volkswagen” (in my opinion, at least), but it grips the road and performs exactly as you’d expect from a meticulously engineered Porsche.
Close-up image of the 2020 Porsche Macan’s brakes, highlighting their sensitivity and effectiveness in contributing to the vehicle’s sporty feel.
And it stops just as impressively as it corners. The brakes are incredibly responsive and sensitive – perhaps as sensitive as I am about the Macan’s exterior styling.
Image of the reviewer driving and enjoying the 2020 Porsche Macan, contrasting the positive driving experience with previous less exciting reviews.
For the record, you wouldn’t have seen this level of enthusiasm in my 2018 Ford Escape review.
Interior: Where Porsche DNA Truly Shines
As much as I’ve poked fun at the exterior of the Macan so far, I’m more than happy to admit that the interior is genuinely stunning. The steering wheel and the dashboard it’s mounted to are unmistakably Porsche in their design and execution. The seats feel both luxurious and supportive, striking a perfect balance for spirited driving. And most importantly, the overall build quality appears to be exceptional.
Image showcasing the 2020 Porsche Macan’s interior, particularly the dashboard and steering wheel, emphasizing the Porsche design elements.
It’s almost frustrating that Porsche seems to have invested more effort in making the interior definitively Porsche than they did with the exterior. Why couldn’t it have been a complete package, inside and out?
Image focusing on the front seats of the 2020 Porsche Macan, which the author finds less impressive compared to the rest of the interior.
Except for the front seats, perhaps. They do look a bit… utilitarian, maybe even a bit dated, like they might have been lifted from an early 2000s economy car.
Image showing the overall interior of the 2020 Porsche Macan, highlighting the generally high-quality materials and premium ambiance.
However, if you can overlook the somewhat underwhelming front seats, the rest of the interior is undeniably impressive, exuding a “badass” and distinctly “Porsche” vibe.
Image of the 2020 Porsche Macan’s center console, praising its high-end feel and design, while humorously noting its gear lever shape.
I’m not going to comment on the, ahem, unique shape of the gear lever, but the center console itself is both visually appealing and crafted from high-quality materials. Although, it does bear a slight resemblance to the interior design language seen in my 2016 Cadillac SRX review. A touch of déjà vu, perhaps?
Image of the 2020 Porsche Macan’s rear seats, pointing out the potential discomfort for a middle seat passenger on longer journeys.
The rear seating area is also well-appointed, though pity the poor soul relegated to the middle seat for any journey exceeding 30 minutes. That looks like a recipe for discomfort. Overall, the Macan’s interior is exactly what you want in a great road-trip vehicle: spacious, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Image highlighting a less premium plastic trim detail within the 2020 Porsche Macan’s interior, acknowledging that even luxury vehicles have material compromises.
Oh, and let’s not forget – even in a premium-priced vehicle like the Macan, you’re not entirely immune to the occasional patch of less-than-premium plastic trim.
Driving Experience: Sports Car DNA in an SUV Body
Driving any Porsche is usually a memorable experience, and the 2020 Macan is no exception. The low driving position and the small-diameter steering wheel create an immediate sense of sportiness, quickly making you forget you’re behind the wheel of a sizable SUV.
Image of someone casually driving the 2020 Porsche Macan, representing the enjoyable and engaging driving experience it offers.
Cruising around in the Macan definitely has a certain “pimpin’” vibe, for lack of a better word. However, this sporty design does come with a trade-off. This becomes apparent as soon as you encounter heavy traffic. The thick A, B, and C pillars create significant blind spots, making visibility a definite challenge. It’s a surprising oversight for a modern SUV, and Porsche should perhaps feel a little embarrassed about the compromised visibility.
Image specifically pointing out the thick A-pillar of the 2020 Porsche Macan, illustrating the author’s concern about blind spots and visibility.
The thickness of the A-pillar isn’t terrible, but attempting a quick shoulder check to merge in heavy traffic? Let’s just say, visibility is severely limited.
Image showcasing the steering wheel controls of the 2020 Porsche Macan, suggesting a potential for driver distraction due to the number of buttons.
Speaking of potential distractions, the Macan’s interior is packed with buttons and controls. Resisting the urge to tinker with them all while driving can be a challenge (speaking from experience, of course). On a positive note, getting in and out of the Macan is surprisingly easy. Unlike many SUVs of this size, you don’t have to climb up into it. The ingress and egress experience is more akin to sliding into a sports car, which is a bit unusual for an SUV, but a welcome quirk.
Fuel Economy: Surprisingly Decent
Over my approximately 110 miles of driving the 2020 Macan around Oahu, Hawaii, in mixed conditions ranging from high-speed highway stretches to stop-and-go traffic, I averaged a respectable 22.5 miles per gallon. Considering the Macan’s weight and the, shall we say, enthusiastic way I drove it, that figure is actually quite impressive. It further solidified my understanding of why the Macan has become such a sales success for Porsche.
Image of the 2020 Porsche Macan being refueled, emphasizing the surprisingly good fuel economy achieved during the test drive.
If you can overlook my questionable parking job at the gas pump, you’ll appreciate the Macan’s surprisingly good fuel economy. 22.5 mpg was definitely a pleasant surprise.
Final Verdict: Should You Consider the 2020 Porsche Macan?
Before making a final decision on whether the 2020 Porsche Macan is the right SUV for you, I highly recommend checking out my detailed list of Porsche Macan pros and cons. It offers a deeper dive into the nuances of living with a Macan daily and is definitely worth reading if you’re seriously considering purchasing one.
Image of the base model 2020 Porsche Macan, prompting consideration of its overall value and potential depreciation benefits.
Given Porsche’s typical depreciation patterns, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 2020 Macan appearing on “best SUVs under $20,000” lists in the not-too-distant future. Driving the 2020 Macan completely shifted my perspective on Porsche SUVs. I had no idea they were this genuinely impressive.
The Macan has essentially converted me. Before driving it, I barely gave them a second glance. But now, having experienced its exceptional handling and performance across diverse driving conditions, I find myself giving every Macan I see a lingering, appreciative look – the kind of look I usually reserve only for the iconic 911. It truly is a remarkable piece of automotive engineering, even if its styling is… well, understated.
