• Driver-focused driving position is spot on
• Excellent build quality throughout
• Touchscreens galore

How is the quality and layout?

Those familiar with Porsches will easily find themselves at home behind the wheel of the Macan. But even if you’re new to the brand, the intuitive design lends itself to easy operation.

You’ll find the materials used of a very high quality and everything is screwed, glued and bolted together very well indeed.

The driving position is excellent – as we’ve come to expect from Porsche – and although high-riding it does a good job of making you feel like you’re inside the car rather than perched on top of it thanks to a raised centre console and low seating position within the car.

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Infotainment and tech

We like the dials and the simplicity with which you can flick through the various screens and menus on the digital part of the display, while operating the sat-nav doesn’t require a computing degree either. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is also available, which simplifies things further, and inside the armrest Porsche has thoughtfully added an (optional) pocket to store your phone so it’s not thrown around in the cockpit.

Previously the centre console was awash with buttons. But now it’s all touch-sensitive, apart from the knob that controls the temperature. This central housing is split by the gearshifter, and controls the climate and heated seats, as well as options that alter the physical running of the car. This is where you change the suspension height, turn the sports exhaust on and off, and fiddle with the traction control.

It doesn’t take too long to master and the majority of other functions are controlled via a touchscreen infotainment system.

Comfort

• Spacious interior is family-friendly
• Very refined on long journeys
• Air suspension offers comfortable ride

While it definitely has sporting intentions, that isn’t to say the Macan is uncomfortable. In fact, far from it.  Any road or wind noise was extremely well contained, while the seats kept us hemmed in without pinching or feeling oppressive.

Of course, you can make significant improvements to the Macan’s comfort by ticking a few boxes on the optional extras list.

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If that’s a priority for you, your first stop should be the air suspension, which is standard on the GTS. This transforms the Macan according to your desires or can adapt automatically if left to its own devices.

It’s impressive how adaptable the Macan is, offering a firmer, sportier set-up if you wish, or a more relaxing, cosseting one for when you don’t want to drive it like a Porsche.