What Is Porsche’s Best Midsize SUV?
Porsche only offers one midsize SUV: the Porsche Cayenne. Porsche also sells the compact Macan.
Written by Shannon Fitzgerald
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Porsche has one midsize SUV available: the well-crafted, performance-focused Porsche Cayenne. As a whole, the luxury brand only offers two SUVs: the midsize Cayenne and the compact Porsche Macan.
As far as SUVs go, you’ve got your subcompact, “long hatchback” SUV on one end, your truck-like, three-row, full-size SUV on the other end, and your midsize SUV in the middle. More spacious in storage capacity than subcompacts and compacts, midsize SUVs maintain ample transporting power without taking on the same maneuvering hassles that bulkier full-size SUVs face.
It’s perhaps fitting that a brand known mostly for its high-performance sports cars should only feature two SUVs toward the smaller end of that scale. But this doesn’t make the Porsche Cayenne any less of an SUV. Here to help walk you through everything this midsize Porsche SUV has to offer is
Jerry
, the trusted car insurance
super app. From MSRPs to MPGs, let’s break down how the Cayenne compares to both the compact Macan and other competitors—and how you can save on
Porsche Cayenne insurance costs
! Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Does Porsche have a midsize SUV?
Yes! Porsche has one midsize SUV—the two-row Porsche Cayenne. Constructed with both performance and luxury in mind, the Cayenne may be smaller than some rival midsize SUVs, like the three-row
Volvo XC90
, but it more than makes up for it in horsepower and handling. Even its base 3.0-liter V6 engine puts out a class-topping 335 hp, with options to upgrade as high as the
Cayenne Turbo GT
’s whopping 631-hp twin-turbocharged V8—if you have $182,150 to spare, that is.What makes a midsize SUV?
While measurements are fairly precise when it comes to sizing subcompact, compact, midsize, and full-size sedans, SUVs aren’t quite as exact of a science. In general terms, the midsize SUV falls between the compact SUV and the full-size SUV in size—it can sometimes feature three-row seating, but two-row midsize SUVs certainly exist, too. Like the Porsche Cayenne!
As far as fuel economy goes, the EPA designates an SUV as “small” if it has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 6,000 lbs and “standard” if it's between 6,000 and 10,000 lbs. The Porsche Cayenne’s GVWR runs between 6,239 to 6,471 lbs, so you might see why it falls under the category of “midsize SUV.”
Is the Porsche Macan a midsize SUV?
Nope. The Porsche Macan is considered a compact SUV—and its GVWR ranging between 5,534 and 5,688 lbs can give you a clearer idea why. Not only is the Macan much smaller in weight than the Cayenne, but it’s also 7.6 inches smaller in length and its wheelbase is 3.5 inches smaller, too.
MORE: Porsche Cayenne towing capacity
Midsize Cayenne vs. compact Macan: which is the best Porsche SUV for 2022?
Bigger may not always mean better when it comes to Porsche SUVs. Though the Macan predictably fits fewer suitcases in the trunk, it’s still got the same race-car DNA as the Cayenne—with the engine power to prove it.
Let’s take a look at how the Porsche Cayenne and the Porsche Macan compare.
2022 Porsche Cayenne
MSRP range: $72,200 to $188,700
MPG: 14-17 city/19-22 highway, hybrid gets 42-46 MPG combined
Seating for: Five passengers
One of the most powerful performers in its segment, the Porsche Cayenne has long been respected as an SUV that truly cultivates the driving thrill. Its powertrain is cohesive and well stocked—with engine options ranging from the GTS’ twin-turbo V8 to a 455 hp plug-in hybrid. Throw in Porsche’s sophisticated suspension system technology and handling in the Cayenne sharpens to an absolute crisp.
That said, you will be paying a lot for this sports car-like SUV, too. At a $72,200 starting MSRP, an entry-level Cayenne costs more than nearly any other competitor’s base trim. A 2022
BMW X5 sDrive40i
, for example, starts at $60,600, while a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350
starts at $55,700. But these other entry models don’t come quite as well equipped as a base Cayenne either. You can actually enjoy all-wheel drive, a 335-hp V6, and a 12.4-inch touchscreen and navigation system right out of the gate in a Porsche Cayenne Base. The Platinum Edition Package throws in heated front sports seats, keyless entry, and other luxury niceties. And the
Porsche Cayenne S
amps up the engine quite a bit to a turbocharged 2.9-liter 434-hp V6. Even in the base V6, the Cayenne can hit 0-60 mph in just 5.9 seconds—so you can see where that driving thrill comes in!
Like many other luxury SUVs, the Porsche Cayenne doesn’t have publicly available safety ratings from NHTSA or IIHS. However, it received a road test score of 87/100 from Consumer Reports, with good marks in its Porsche Active Safety crash-avoidance systems, which include lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitors.
Highlights include:
- Up to 7,700 lbs maximum towing capacity
- Quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission
- Optional tungsten-coated iron rotors (Porsche Surface Coated Brakes)
- Standard AWD
- Standard navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with dual-mode shocks
- Optional air suspension system, which can adjust ride height as much as two inches above and below the standard 7.4-inch ground clearance
- Optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) anti-roll system and rear steering for even better cornering and handling
- Plenty of customization options—nine trim levels, many package upgrades, and seven engines available
- Sleek and stylish exterior
- High-quality interior
Weaknesses include:
- No third row
- Expensive starting MSRP
- Add-ons can push the price outside of a budget quickly
- Cargo space is limited for its class—27.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.3 cubic feet total
- Mediocre fuel efficiency—standard V6 gets 17/22/19 MPG city/highway/combined
MORE: Is a Porsche hybrid worth it?
2022 Porsche Macan
MSRP range: $54,900 to $79,900
MPG: 17-19 city/22-25 highway
Seating for: Up to five passengers
A size down from the Porsche Cayenne, the Porsche Macan is just as race-ready as its bigger sibling, if not more so. Named after the Javanese word for “tiger,” the Macan actually debuted before the Cayenne in the US and continues to be Porsche’s best-selling model—yes, even out-selling the iconic
Porsche 911
sports car. PASM is available starting in the S trim in the Macan (like the Cayenne), adding an even sharper electronic damping suspension system to the standard. A peppy, turbocharged 261-hp inline-4 base engine paired with standard all-wheel drive and a quick-shift 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is yours from the get-go.
Upgrading to the Macan S, however, bumps you up to a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged 375-hp V6 engine—the GTS’s 2.9-liter V6 takes the cake at 434 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque.
With a 10/10 rating and Editors’ Choice Award from Car and Driver, an 83/100 overall score and #1 compact premium SUV designation from J.D. Power, and a 9.1/10 critics’ rating from US Car News, the 2022 Porsche Macan is about as stacked with accolades as it is with handling prowess.
Like the Cayenne, standard safety features could be a little more robust in the Macan, as could the interior space. But, a well-crafted luxury interior more than makes up for any lost comfort—especially if you opt into some of the expensive niceties of higher trims, like the Macan GTS’ faux-suede heated steering wheel.
Highlights include:
- Desirable upgrades—including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus in the GTS Sport package, PASM and air suspension in the S trim, and tungsten carbide-coated rotors in the GTS trim
- Standard AWD
- Smooth and appealing exterior styling
- Extra tight chassis adds to handling performance
- More fuel efficient than gas-powered Cayenne models
- Base four-cylinder gets a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds
Weaknesses include:
- Limited interior room—second row is tight for adults
- No third row
- No hybrid option
- Handling upgrades start at the pricier S trim level
2022 Porsche Cayenne vs. 2022 Porsche Macan comparison
2022 Porsche Cayenne | 2022 Porsche Macan | |
|---|---|---|
Starting MSRP | $72,200 | $54,900 |
Seating capacity | Five | Five |
Fuel economy | 19 combined MPG (base) | 19 combined MPG (base) |
Base engine | 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (335 hp, 332 lb-ft of torque) | 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (261 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque) |
Total cargo volume | 60.3 cubic feet | 52.9 cubic feet |
Maximum towing capacity | up to 7,700 lbs | up to 4,409 lbs |
Length | 193.7 to 194 inches | 186.1 inches |
Wheelbase | 114 inches | 110.5 inches |
Overall scores | 80/100 (J.D. Power), 75/100 (Consumer Reports), 9.5/10 (Car and Driver) | 83/100 (J.D. Power), 78/100 (Consumer Reports), 10/10 (Car and Driver) |
Reliability scores | 79/100 (J.D. Power), 3/5 (Consumer Reports), 1.5/5 (RepairPal) | 78/100 (J.D. Power), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 1.5/5 (RepairPal) |
Note: As particularly expensive luxury SUVs, both the Cayenne and the Macan will have lower scores on RepairPal. This isn’t an indication that either one is a low-quality vehicle, but rather that they cost more in annual repairs than other luxury SUVs.
For the Cayenne, repairs come to around $1,231 per year compared to the $807 luxury midsize SUV average, while the Macan costs about $1,265 in annual repairs compared to the $859 average for luxury compact SUVs.
The bottom line
You really can’t go wrong with either the Cayenne or the Macan if you’re looking for a sport-tuned, high-performing SUV and you have the budget to accommodate their expensive MSRP. However, the Porsche Macan edges out the Cayenne in terms of value and consumer satisfaction—especially if you aren’t looking for the extra space of a midsize SUV.
Most drivers who opt for the Cayenne are trying to maximize space without sacrificing performance, and the Porsche Cayenne doesn’t disappoint in this respect. But that $72,200 price tag can be a very tough bill to swallow, and if you don’t need the cargo and passenger volume, the Macan is a much more reasonable luxury SUV.
MORE: Are Porsches expensive to maintain?
Best midsize luxury SUV competitors
You may get more bang for your buck in the compact Porsche Macan than you do in the Porsche Cayenne. However, if you need the extra legroom and cargo storage of a midsize SUV, it may be a better idea to take a look at some of the Cayenne’s midsize SUV competitors:
- 2022 BMW X5 ($60,600 starting MSRP): For a better price, the X5 offers three rows of seating and up to 72.3 cubic feet of total cargo space. You may have to opt for the pricierBMW X5 M, however, if you want to match the Cayenne’s driving experience.
- 2022 Maserati Levante ($79,400 starting MSRP): The Levante gets as close to the Cayenne’s price for performance as you might get in the luxury midsize SUV class, with higher horsepower and top speeds in lower trims.
- 2022 Audi Q7($57,700 starting MSRP): Like the X5, the Audi Q7 is roomier and comes with more standard safety tech. While the standard Q7 costs less than the Cayenne, however, the more equivalently sport-tuned SQ7 starts at $88,500.
How to save on Porsche insurance
A midsize SUV typically costs more in insurance than a compact SUV—but this isn’t always the case. Luxury SUVs will always cost more to insure due to the higher costs of repairing their high-quality materials, and then there are individual factors to consider, like age, driving record, and location.
As you can imagine, your Cayenne or
Macan insurance costs
can get particularly high at the end of the day. In fact, the average Porsche Cayenne GTS insurance costs
are about $1,986 per year and the average Porsche Macan S insurance costs
come to a whopping $2,848 per year. While these numbers may be disheartening,
Jerry
can help lower those Porsche insurance costs
quickly and easily. All you have to do is download the Jerry app (for free!), input some basic info, and in less than a minute you’ll have access to the lowest rates available to you from over 55 top insurers. A
licensed insurance broker
, Jerry can even help cancel your old policy for you and handle the calls and paperwork to start your savings seamlessly. The average user saves over $800 a year on car insurance, so it’s definitely worth the look. “As a young person who owns a sports car and a high-end sedan, I couldn’t find quotes below a certain threshold. By usingJerry, I managed to find full comprehensive coverage on both vehicles and saved $150 a month!” —Channing Y.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month
4.7You might also be interested
