Porsche Macan vs Mazda CX-50

Porsche introduced the Macan in 2015, aiming to expand its market with a smaller, more affordable SUV positioned below the Cayenne. By 2022, the Macan had retained much of its original design, despite regular updates to its lineup, styling, wheel designs, and paint colors. The 2022 model received another refresh, featuring larger standard wheels, seven new wheel designs, and a new center console with haptic touch controls, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality. The Macan lineup included the base model, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the Macan Turbo's high-output powertrain now in the GTS.

Our test vehicle, a Macan S, came with nearly $20,000 in extras, including performance upgrades and a striking Volcano Gray paint job with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels. The Macan's design, with its sloping clamshell hood, swollen haunches, and rakish roofline, conveyed a taut, athletic look. Inside, the Macan featured a driver-focused layout with a large tachometer, flat dashboard, and center console housing most secondary controls. The red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents added to its upscale, sporty appearance.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a blend of subtle seductiveness and newfound ruggedness. Its blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield were complemented by blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body cladding, and fake skidplates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance touch without being offensive. Paired with a black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, the CX-50's exterior design was appealing. Later in the model year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition would join the lineup with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform.

The CX-50 offered two engine options: a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the 2.5 S model and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the 2.5 Turbo variants, producing up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The CX-50 2.5 S had six trim packages, while the 2.5 Turbo offered four, including the upcoming Meridian Edition. Prices ranged from $26,800 to $41,550, excluding the $1,225 destination charge. Our test vehicle, a top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, had an MSRP of $43,170, including destination charges. The interior featured black leather with caramel-colored accent stitching, quality materials, and a driver-focused design, though the off-center air vent was a minor flaw.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of powertrains. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 261 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, an improvement over the 2021 model. The Macan GTS inherited the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from the old Macan Turbo, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Our Macan S test car had a new engine for 2022, a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 from the previous year's Macan GTS, tuned to produce 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package and launch control.

All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The 2022 Macan's steering and suspension were re-tuned for improved ride and handling, with larger 20-inch standard wheels and a newly standard PASM adaptive damping suspension. Our test vehicle also had optional PTV+ and PSCB. The Macan S offered a fun driving experience, with quick and responsive handling, though the brake pedal required a firm push. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power, and the dual-clutch transmission delivered perfectly timed shifts. Our Macan S achieved an as-tested fuel economy of 18.1 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model had a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD. Mazda estimated a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg for this model. The 2.5 Turbo variants featured a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel used. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft on 87-octane gas to 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. Mazda predicted a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg for the turbo model, though we averaged 23.4 mpg.

We spent a day driving the CX-50 Turbo on various roads, and it provided smooth, sweet acceleration with minimal turbo lag. The SUV offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, working with GVC technology to ensure natural vehicle behavior. The CX-50 felt firmer than the CX-5, with a hint of torque steer during acceleration out of tight turns. On pavement, the CX-50 felt more like a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment. The CX-50's ground clearance of 8.6 inches allowed it to handle off-roading situations, though it lacked a downhill assist control system. We also tested its towing capability, and the turbo-four engine handled a 3,500-pound load well on flat highways, though it might struggle on mountain grades.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a comfortable experience for the driver and front-seat passenger. Our Macan S test vehicle had the optional Premium Package with 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers, but entry and exit were easy. The Macan's new steering wheels, modeled after the 911 sports car, felt a bit thin and uncomfortable after long drives. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls looked clean but required the driver to look away from the road to use them. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were effective. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy, with rear air vents and charging ports. Storage space was adequate, though some opportunities for additional bins were missed. The CX-50 offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with options to upgrade to a Bose premium surround-sound system or a high-end Burmester audio system. The user experience was generally intuitive, though the voice recognition system was less reliable than those in some competitors. Fortunately, frequently adjusted features like stereo volume and climate control were separate from the touchscreen.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect did not offer touchscreen control, but the 2023 CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The CX-50 also offered an Active Driving Display (HUD) with useful data, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera. Blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were optional. Our test vehicle included blind-spot monitoring as part of the Premium Package. The Macan's safety technologies performed as expected, though it lacked more advanced driving assistance tech. Parking assistance features included front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to rate high for safety, though the IIHS had not yet performed crash tests. Mazda provided a generous standard package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-50's driving assistance systems generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.