Porsche Macan undergoes nip, tuck, power boost for 2022

Porsche's bestselling people mover is getting a freshening that adds style, substance and capability.

The 2022 Macan compact crossover arrives in U.S. dealerships early next year, starting at $56,250. The Macan S variant, starting at $66,750, and GTS variant, starting at $81,250, will follow in the spring. All prices include a $1,350 shipping fee.

The Macan is a volume driver and a gateway model for converts to the sports car brand. In the U.S., Porsche delivered 11,489 Macans in the first half of the year, up 48 percent from the same period in 2020.

Since the Macan's launch in 2014, Porsche has sold more than 137,000 of the crossovers in America.

Macan sales are likely to receive a further jolt when a battery-powered version silently rolls into the U.S. in the second half of 2023. The electric Macan will be based on Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Electricrchitecture developed in collaboration with Audi. Like the Porsche Taycan, the electric Macan will use 800-volt technology.

The updated front end of the 2022 Macan features integrated cooling air intakes and trim in body color. In the rear, a black diffuser has been stretched upward. The side blades feature a 3D, textured structure element. LED headlights and standard Sport Design exterior mirrors round out the updated appearance.

The interior receives a redesigned, touch-based center console that delivers a cleaner layout and a larger storage compartment. The dashboard is anchored by a 10.9-inch high-definition touch screen.

More significantly for a performance brand, the freshened Macan lineup receives major updates under the hood.

It starts with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 261 hp — a boost of 13 hp over the outgoing model. The Macan can do a 0-to-60-mph sprint in 5.8 seconds when equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package.

The Macan S receives a 375-hp, 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 4.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package.

The GTS variant has a 434-hp, 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 under the hood. That motor is capable of covering 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package.

The Macan GTS is fitted with Porsche Surface Coated Brakes with red calipers and adaptive air suspension with 10-millimeter lower ride height as standard. The GTS' suspension is up to 15 percent stiffer than before, reducing body roll, Porsche said.

Performance is a key driver of sales in the fiercely competitive luxury compact crossover segment, said Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions.

"Buyers aren't walking into Porsche dealers because price was the deciding factor; they want the thrill of the drive that comes with a Macan that's lacking in the other choices from Germany," Fiorani said. "Enhancing that excitement in the Macan keeps buyers returning."