Toyota 4Runner vs Porsche Macan

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 undergone several updates, yet remained true to its original design. The 2022 model featured a refreshed exterior, larger standard wheels, 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 latter two benefiting from more powerful engines. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, came with nearly $20,000 in extras, including performance upgrades and a striking Volcano Gray paint job.

Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, featuring a left-side ignition switch, a large central tachometer, and a flat, wide dashboard. The test vehicle's red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents created an upscale, sporty ambiance. Despite its age, the Macan's design elements, such as the sloping clamshell hood and rakish roofline, conveyed a sense of athleticism and performance.

Toyota's 2023 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim and added $4,505 to its price, with $1,875 covering the standard 4WD system. The remaining cost included retro body stripes, a heritage grille, bronze wheels, and various bronze accents. Available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior, the 40 ASE had a nostalgic 1970s vibe, complete with groovy stripes and a SoCal feel.

The 4Runner's design remained true to its truck-based SUV roots, offering a rugged and enduring appeal. Inside, the cabin was functional, with plenty of plastic but a solid feel. The controls were easy to locate and use, even with gloves on. The 4Runner's purposeful design and practical features made it a reliable choice for off-road adventures and daily errands alike.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of powerful engines. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. 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 came with a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, producing 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package.

All Macans had 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 Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive damping. Our test vehicle also featured Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). The Macan S excelled in both spirited driving and daily commutes, offering a balance of performance and comfort. Our test model achieved an as-tested fuel economy of 18.1 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 4Runner offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system available on the Limited trim. The EPA fuel economy rating was 17 mpg in combined driving, with our 40 ASE test vehicle averaging 16.9 mpg.

The 4Runner had a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance and standard Hill-Start Assist Control. With 4WD, it added Downhill Assist Control and Active Traction Control. Depending on the trim, additional off-roading technologies included locking differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were impressive, handling thick mud and standing water with ease. However, its on-road performance was less refined, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a brake pedal that required acclimation.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a comfortable experience for the driver and front-seat passenger. Our test vehicle featured 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, part of the optional Premium Package. The rear seats, however, were cramped, especially for taller passengers. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls provided a modern look but required the driver to look away from the road to use them. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's standout feature was its power-down rear window, providing excellent ventilation when combined with the sunroof and automatic windows. The 4Runner's seats were comfortable, with the 40 ASE featuring SofTex artificial leather and heated front seats. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom, headroom, and USB charging ports. The optional third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, known as Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and connected services with available WiFi hotspot access. The standard 10-speaker sound system could be upgraded to a Bose or Burmester audio system. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the voice recognition system was less reliable than those in some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Connected services and a WiFi hotspot were also available. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition system performed well, handling most commands accurately.

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 was optional, included in the Premium Package, but lane-keeping assist was not available. The Macan also offered front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system. However, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-departure warning could be annoying. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.