What are you driving?
The Porsche Macan S, in facelifted 2019MY guise - as with the four-cylinder turbocharged Macan we drove on the same event, it gains a full-width 3D light bar at the rear, LED headlamps as standard and a subtly revised front end, plus other detail changes externally and a newer, bigger infotainment screen for the Porsche Communication Management system inside. There is little visually that distinguishes the S from the regular Macan, as it doesn't even have to have an 'S' badge on the boot lid that marks it out, although the S rides on larger alloys from the off, but overall it's still a very handsome machine, that manages to straddle the fine aesthetic line between 'Porsche sports car' and 'practical family SUV' rather well.
Name its best bits
The more potent V6 engine just does enough to convince you that, when it comes to the Macan, downsizing isn't the answer. With this 354hp powerplant under its bonnet, the Macan S retains its position as one of the finest-driving SUVs in the world - and, in all truth, it's probably THE finest. Don't let anyone try to convince you that the lighter 2.0-litre motor over the Porsche's nose aids the steering, either in terms of weighting or feedback, nor the entire car's turn-in capabilities, because - if anything - the Macan S is the sweeter handling machine out of it and its 245hp, four-cylinder brother. It has all the immediacy of response and wealth of feel of the 2.0-litre model, only it kicks quite a bit harder out of bends, it sounds much, much better when being revved out and it feels faster, crisper and just generally more 'Porsche-like' all round.
Anything that bugs you?
Not really, although rear-seat space is at a premium. It's not the legroom of the Macan S that is troublesome, more the head clearance, as its sloping roof does impose an unwanted limit on the height of passengers who may comfortably travel in the back of the SUV. Other than that, and a list price that's very likely to start at around the €90,000 mark (without options) once it is announced, it's a glowing report card for the Macan S.
And why have you given it this rating?
We've always believed the Porsche Macan, in all its various guises, to be the SUV that finally nails the 'S' bit of that three-letter denomination better than anything else before it. And now it has a swisher infotainment system, subtly refreshed looks and a chassis that still sparkles like few other rivals' set-ups can, then we're sticking by this conclusion: if you place handling reward above all other considerations when buying an SUV, then - right now - there is no finer vehicle for you to choose than the Porsche Macan S.
I want to know more
If there is anything specific you'd like to know about the Porsche Macan S that we've not covered, feel free to send us a question via the Ask Us Anything page.
