I love competition, which makes future products better, so I am not looking down on any brands/models even though I do have my own brand preferences or biases.

I hope the new Q5/SQ5 will be better than the last generation (but I probably still won't buy one), and likewise the next generation Macan will be better than the current one.

 

I did the test drive of previous model SQ5 before I bought the Macan S last May. I must say the, power, and handling were very good. The brakes, to me, had a better feel than the touchy Macan at slow speed. The main reason for choosing the Macan was because the Audi dealer told me it would take several months to process the order due to the new model. The Porsche dealer had the car with the options that I liked.

 

I cross-shopped the SQ5 prior to buying my GTS but didn't want to get stuck with the last model year for that vehicle. The GTS was a 'new' model and I really liked the many buttons and interior layout much better.

I figured that once the new SQ5 was released, it would just build on the Macan and I had a feeling that I'd have a bit of buyers remorse about my GTS. Thankfully after seeing the new SQ5 I've got no remorse at all.

While I love some of the touches of the Audi such as the motion of the LED's, the ambient interior lighting and some features of the instrument panel, to me it's still a little too "Audi." The nav screen placement looks like an afterthought, there aren't nearly enough buttons for me, and I'm not a fan of it being built in Mexico. But I'm sure it's going to be fast and the exhaust will sound awesome; it's just not for me.

Thankfully it just reinforces my decision to purchase the Macan!

 

I too looked at a SQ5 as well but when it came time to talk price, Audi wouldn't really play. They only were going to give me a $1250 discount as where my Macan S was cheaper than a somewhat similarly priced SQ5...

 

So sad you had to settle for a Porsche Macan. Hope the performance, handling and the look of the Macan grows on you


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Enjoyed my Q5 but PSE, sport chrono and air pasm will keep me a macan fan for a while. Hopefully we will get a little more legroom in the back on the next refresh since the Q5 platform grew this generation.

 

Agree on the tiresome aspect. Those who have the higher trim levels and don't like the fact there is a Base trim need to get over it. The Base is here to stay.

 

Huh? It's not as if Porsche is not making the higher trims. It's making additional trims and offering more choice. You're also assuming Base buyers can least afford it or are struggling to do it. Seriously? Don't understand your logic. Most importantly, anyone can build a Macan any which way ... can load up on a Base or slim down on a S or GTS, etc. Or, just buy a nicely optioned lot car.

You're pining for a yesteryear that's long gone.


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Look at the configurator. Identical options are priced higher on the base Macan . RS wheels are 3300 !!! They are 1650 on an S and free on a GTS . It's the same wheel !!!

That's just one option but this is the case with most of the options . Thus ANYTHING added to a base adds up the price and upon resale those optins are worthless . The person is paying more to get less.

And yes the person is financially cognizant of his expense . Look at all the threads on this forum asking if option A or B is worth the price .
For some people the extra 5 , 10, 15 grand is a deal breaker.
Before some one buys a car or passes it up he considers the logistics of a big ticket expense and with the decision often comes an internal struggle . The Porsche configurator with staggered pricing sure does not help ease the choice .

 

Ok enough about the incremental price inconsistencies for macan options lol

Back to the topics at hand, has no one else mentioned the major difference in transmission between the two cars?

The SQ5 uses a torque converting auto, vs PDK for the macan. Even the new S4 uses a torque converter for now, with a proper DSG to come in the near future once they sort out the torque requirements.

I absolutely hated the ZF 8sp in my wifes 2013 Q5....would never consider it on one of my cars

 

What is interesting is in the Audi A model cars, they switched from tiptronic to dual clutch, and the other way around for the S models because apparently "American's like smooth pull aways at lights" I like that Audi just made that assumption...they also said they had to do it because of the change in torque. That decision while I am sure is sound, seemed a little weird to me...

 

Yes. A fellow member here and Porsche diehard (who happens to own the exact same Touareg TDI as I), confided to me that the PDK is a big part of the Porsche experience, no matter the trim.


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I agree with you on this . PDK was the reason I traded in my Cayenne years ago and ordered the Macan in the first place .

 

Really? I assumed DCT to be on par with DSG and PDK. Ive also heard good things about the BMW ZF in the 335i/340i making it comparable to the S4.

Our Q5 had the 2.0T which probably contributed to making the tranny look bad. I guess its also exaggerated when you have a DSG at the same time which I find brilliant.

I've never driven the Macan S/GTS so I'm glad you like it over the DCT!

 

Yeah really...unfortunately. My last M3 was a 6MT and it's what i should have done with my current. Like i said, on track and in Europe where our BMW sponsored tour was led by one of the F8x engineers ( i.e. it was balls to the wall almost every day lol) it was brilliant. The PDK in my test drives was brilliant ALL AROUND, probably one of the more exciting perks that I'm looking forward to. On a totally unrelated note, I have to give the virtual BMW lady who reads my texts kudos....she pronounces " Maitre Absolute" perfectly lol.

 

@ yrralis1 Why do you care so much about the Base and the options? Why so caught up in resale value? Do you flip rides every two years or less?

What about deviated stitching? Think that has any monetary resale value? Whitewashed oak trim? A $6k custom color has resale value? Options have value to the buyer who chooses them. Same goes for RS wheels if it's not standard to the trim. A lot of the options are flat-out silly and some are not.

I guess by your thinking, if the option is not standard to the specific trim, it's a waste of money.

Value need not be tied to dollar amount or resale. Enjoyment has value, too.


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This section of the forum is for discussing the Macan Vs the competition . My friend who ordered the Sq5 did drive both the base and GTS Macan . An Sq5 is somewhere in between with price .

Discussing the competition means all aspects of the cars are fair game .

Buying a car is not a track competition or a vehicle beauty pageant . So why not look at everything on a forum where people make commitments to these cars and place it in the section intended for it.

I already have a Macan . I have said I would not buy an Sq5 , nor a base Macan , nor an S. I even said in my first post "I'd take the GTS" but this thread isnt about me . It's about what makes Audi a new rival and a worthy one at those price levels .

 

Nice deflection. You've written about value and Base, etc. elsewhere on the forum, same rant, different thread. I enjoy the discussion... truly... but I give up!


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You guys are so lucky to have the Porsche priced so competitively and in some cases cheaper than the SQ5.

I'm in the market and wanting delivery in the next 6-8 months and the Porsche is what I long for. SQ5 is number two. But spec of spec there is about a $25000 difference between the Porsche and Audi.

 

Just comparing specs, the new SQ5's curb weight is almost 300 lbs heavier than the Macan S (4398 vs 4112). It is also 2 inches taller. This will probably have a significant effect on the handling and body roll. Has anyone test driven one yet?

 

Well, the SQ5 may (see below) handle better than the 2018 Q5 I recently drove during a launch event at our Audi dealer. And the Q5 was pretty amazing. Very little roll, but it did have numb steering still compared to the Macan. As for the 2" height difference, it doesn't matter all that much. It is no worse than a Macan with a sunroof that adds a fair amount of weight up top. A Macan S with sunroof and air suspension, PTV+, premium package is 4351 lbs weighed by C&D. Given that the SQ5 comes with loads of standard stuff, it's not likely much of a weight difference between a well configured Macan S and a SQ5.

The SQ5 will be a vehicle in the typical Audi idiom. Fast, tech heavy, numb steering, well put together.

That being said, the regular Q5 is 4045 lbs. Wonder why the SQ5 is so much heavier? That's bound to be a detriment to handling, all else being equal.

 

Anyone else notice that ACC is not available on the 2018 Q5/SQ5? (at least in the U.S.) It was available before. Wonder what's up with that? I saw some earlier marketing material that said it was available, but I don't see it in the 2018 Dealer Ordering Guide nor configurator.

 

Good question and I am equally surprised that they would not have ACC available - at least in the higher trim levels. Having ACC in my 2017 Allroad, I would never get a car without it.

 

Would never own an Audi except maybe an R8. Their quality of service is terrible and the quality of car isn't subpar. Friend bought a brand new A5 that was immediately in the shop for a month with mechanical issues. They gave him a KIA loaner as they ran out of loaners. What type of luxury bran car puts car owners in the cheapest rental cars during warranty repairs? Infiniti put me into a Mercedes C class when they ran out of loaners.

 

Your dealer is a fool then. Why would you put someone in a competitors car?

 

Perspective is everything @Shark. I drove a 2011 Boxster Spyder and that too was a "pig" compared to an Elise. But oh what a pig!

Your point is taken. And with no sunroof, I had to roll down my windows on this glorious Easter weekend.

 

I took the spare tire out a month or so ago, man it weighs a freaking TON. Surprised more peeps have not removed it to reduce weight.
I know for sure.....if I break down I am calling a flat bed, so it can come out. Any gains you think ?

 

Being totally honest, 1 in 100 (maybe) Macan drivers will ever drive them hard enough to really feel a difference created by a 10mm drop, or a sunroof, or S vs GTS power, 130lbs, etc. These discussions are fun, and entertaining, but in the end, you're talking about CUV performance...

 

You nailed it and agree. But, it's fun to read


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I'm sure it's a programming issue. One of the main differences is that the Audi doesn't hold a gear all the way to Redline if you're not full throttle. It seems a little more adept at figuring out what you're after in day to day driving, even with the two modes.

Semi-related: It's also WAY more intuitive to switch to sport with the gear selector, handy when you want a quick change and don't have to fumble for the right button.

 

Note # 1 (intuitive) - I don't remember a time when I've left the GTS in normal mode. It's get in, start car, hit sport button, go.

Note # 2 (programming) - PDK programming in the GTS is way different - it doesn't try to hold gear to red line. In Sport Plus mode, gear shifts happen at 4000-4200 rpm, and they're lightning quick.

Tonight, coming back from D.C. to WV in the rain, an A5 and an Infiniti Coupe tried to keep up with me after I had passed. The A5 tried to passed me after it had caught up, but I-68 through the WV mountains proved too challenging in the rain - it dully moved back and shortly there after disappeared from my rear view mirror. The GTS is just awesome and so stable that you don't really know you've hit triple digits speed through curves.

 

The main difference between Q5 and Macan is the transmition as said. Now the Q5 2.0T will come with S-Tronic (dual clutch) similar to PDK while SQ5 will have Tiptronic 8 sp (ZF), so this difference will only apply for this model. The chassi will be another difference, Q5 will have the "new" one meanwhile Macan will remain with the actual.
Inside the car there will be also many differences between the two "cousin" SUV as the Q5 will have a new approach with the virtual cockpit and the shifter will be electronic. What I found awfull in the Q5 and SQ5 are the absense of the exhaust in the rear, you dont have even fakes ones, just some "drawings" on the rear fender which they dare to call "double exhaust" or "two double exhaust", sorry, but why the industry is doing this? Hope Porsche never does this, for the sake of reality and truth !! Regards from Uruguay !!

 

Macan S or Audi SQ5? why'd you choose the Macan?

I'm sure everyone here asked themselves the same question before purchase. Just to set it up i'm comparing 2014 Audi sq5 or 2015 Macan S. I've read a few reviews, but want to hear from owners. here's a break down of the research I did. Also in my research I noticed a few with the carbon fiber package and steering wheel. How rare is this? I don't think the SQ5 actually has this as an option from the factory and I can't see myself spending $1500 on a steering wheel so I might lean towards the Macan.

Audi SQ5: Pro: Price, better bang for the buck. Aftermarket modification support, in my research it looks like there is more overall support and I will be modding once warranty expires. I could be wrong on that one though. Space past 2nd row, reviews said a little more space. Quattro- not sure how good Porsche AWD compares so bash me if you want on that.

Macan S: Pro: Prestige, even though IMO if you took the badges off no one would know it's a porsche, the prestige of actually owning one. PDK, I drove the Macan S and I liked the way it shifted. Interior, i know some reviews bashed the Macan for having too many buttons, but i kind of liked it. I also liked the leather and steering wheel. Handling, from what i read the Macan S is shorter and sits lower.

I'm not going to put any CON's for the simple fact that I think either way I choose it's a WIN, WIN. I'm coming from a E93 M3 and never driven the SQ5. Plan on taking a test drive this weekend.

Maintenance: I'm assuming that both will be comparable to in maintenance costs, with maybe the Porsche being slightly more. I'm not using the dealer and would most likely take it to a local German very reputable shop.

I've owned a b5 s4 and miss the twin turbo feeling, but I've never owned a supercharged vehicle and based off some modification #'s it looks like a can get the SQ5 up to 450hp vs. the Macan S to 400hp or there abouts.

Also forgot to mention, that looks are subjective. I like the way they both look, but if i got the SQ5 I'd want to get that black grill vs. the Macan i'd leave the way it is.

Anything I'm missing guys???

 

Here is personal opinion on some of your comments:

Carbon fiber package on the Macan: I have it and love it. I don't have the CF steering wheel since I don't like it and the standard leather steering wheel on the Macan is the best I ever had in any car I owned.

Too many buttons: in my opinion, the more, the better. I love the center console of the Macan and will never forget my dad's first comment when sat on my Macan for the first time:"Wow!!!! It looks like a spaceship."

Porsche AWD/Handling: I drove my Macan for 2 winters on ice and snow using snow tires. It is the best handling I ever had in any car in the snow.

"Prestige, even though IMO if you took the badges off no one would know it's a porsche": I disagree. Look at the front of the Macan with no badges at all. If you ever seen a Porsche you will know it is a Porsche. Also, the interior is unique to Porsche. No badges needed.

Maintenance: I've taken mine to the dealer for 1 and 2 year service. It is not like taking to Jiffy Lube but way more reasonable than I expected.

Also, this might not be the same everywhere but the difference between the customer service, quality, etc.. of a Porsche dealer and an Audi dealer is night and day. At the Porsche dealer you can tell you are in a Porsche dealer. At the Audi, if you hide the badges you will swear you are at the Chevy or Ford dealer.

 

Back in 2015 I was ready to buy a SQ5 but then I was introduced to the Macan. This summarizes my choice for the Macan: The SQ5 looked like the little sister of the Q7. The Macan looked like the cousin of the 911. >

 

Good analysis. Drive the Sq5. I drove both new and chose the Macan S. The notable Macan upsides for me was a more refined suspension feel and the interior was more appealing. The sq5 was faster I think. I won't lie - the badge had appeal. My past experiences with both brands also tilted the equation in favor of Porsche.

The options could make a difference in the Macan. It's pretty straightforward in the Audi but the Porsche options list makes Medusa look like Jane Curtain. I have steel/pasm suspension, torque vectoring, and lots of other options. I also did a Cobb remap and your statement about hp/torque upgrades are about right. The Macan is now faster than a standard sq5, but I don't know where you could take the Audi with aftermarket upgrades.

You're buying used so the miles options, and condition of the cars is worth consideration.

Good luck in your research and decision. Both are fine autos and your dilemma is definitely a high order first world problem.

 

Put it this way, it is like choosing between Nissan GTR and 911 GTS or Turbo or may be M5, all are very capable but one is less expensive. On performance specs alone, perhaps GTR is a better value... by the same token Lexus vs. MB, Porsche vs. Ferrari vs. Lambo. It boils down to what appeals to you the most. A few grands difference at this price point shouldn't be a deal breaker.