Macan and it s Cousins

[Tony B2]

I am quite tempted by a Macan S or GTS as a “family” car having had an S with air suspension on loan from my OPC a few months ago.

I thought it was quick/refined/comfortable and a very nice place to be for longer drives. Although a bit thirsty…

Is there however a close cousin in the VAG family - on the same platform - that offers similar capability without so much of the Porsche tax?

Some of the Seat/Cupra equivalents look quite tempting - do they use the same platform?

Is the Audi Q5 on the same platform? If it is, it looks awfully dull by comparison.

TIA!

[Cheib]

Just buy an older Macan….anything after 2017/18 has Apple Car play. They drive identically to the current cars. We have a 2018 Turbo PP….had a Macan 2.0 loan car last week which is maybe twice the money. It is the lesser car…interior materials not as good and a 2.0 4 pot is no match for the 3.6.

[Spindoctor]

Still loving my gen1 Macan S, had it since new. Currently on a tour through France, doing about 30mpg which is bloody good for a chunky v6 turbo. Mine has a full OPC service history, but there are good indy specialists out there. Might use one myself next time. Service schedule is every two years, is that the case with all VAGs?

[SkinnyPete]

Cheib said:

Just buy an older Macan .anything after 2017/18 has Apple Car play. They drive identically to the current cars. We have a 2018 Turbo PP .had a Macan 2.0 loan car last week which is maybe twice the money. It is the lesser car interior materials not as good and a 2.0 4 pot is no match for the 3.6.

OP I think this is the best advice you are going to get (though I dont think the old models drive identical to the newer cars, but they are good enough and will be far superior to any other generic VAG offering).

[Augustash]

We bought a new MY23 Macan GTS and it’s absolutely amazing. Does the local shop, kids to Uni trips & drive to the Lake District or Dartmouth. It’s a fabulous car and expect we will just keep it for the next 10 years or more as a decent spec new is now over £100k and next year production will be ceased and it’s EV only and i don’t want one of them
Good hunting

[Tony B2]

I have heard that the earlier generations (H1especially) are less reliable, so maybe I should just get stuck in looking for a nice H3 (?)....

[Spindoctor]

Not sure about that. From personal and forum experience, the issue with gen 1 Macans was the transfer box. They were replaced under warranty or goodwill, so I’d expect most if not all are now fine in that regard. Mine drives like new.

[First Sea Lord]

Cheib said:

Just buy an older Macan .anything after 2017/18 has Apple Car play. They drive identically to the current cars. We have a 2018 Turbo PP .had a Macan 2.0 loan car last week which is maybe twice the money. It is the lesser car interior materials not as good and a 2.0 4 pot is no match for the 3.6.

Agree with this. I’ve had 2019 and 2022 V6’s. Both well made and great to drive. Just wish they’d made a 500bhp Turbo GT version before killing ICE production

[stuckmojo]

Agree with the above. My 2015 S is at OPC for some repairs and I have a 2025 2.0 as courtesy car and the interior is dreadful shiny black plastic which belongs to a Chinese kettle and the engine is not very nice.

I'll probably replace it with a GTS next year to keep on OPC warranty.