Porsche Macan vs Audi SQ7

What's the difference?

Competent and comfortable, the Macan T delivers that amazing Porsche double act of crisp dynamic response without compromising refinement. It’s well equipped for the price, neatly packaged, and entertaining to drive. But there are holes in its armour. Active safety comes up well short and a three-year warranty now stands out like a sore thumb. It’s good, but could be better.

The Audi SQ7 TFSI is a delight to drive. You can’t fault its handling or power and drivers who want that sort of performance will not be disappointed. However, for the price point I was hoping for sweeter ongoing ownership costs and terms. It's missing a few family-orientated amenities, particularly in the middle row, but it’s big enough to accommodate a large family and all of its gear. So, I give this an 8.0/10.

My son thought the red paintwork and engine were pretty cool and he also gives it an 8.0/10. 

Michael Mauer has been Porsche’s chief of design for close to 20 years, overseeing the look and feel of every product the brand has produced in that time. And he’s been successful in massaging particular forms and signature elements to work across the line-up. 

For example, you can see more than a hint of 911 in the Macan T (and other models, for that matter), from the elongated four point headlights, to the gentle curve at the rear of the roofline, as well the distinctive tail-light treatment.

Since launching internationally in 2012, the Macan has been tweaked in 2016, before a full-blown refresh in 2021. Mauer and his team have somehow transplanted a Porsche sports car’s stance and personality to this mid-size SUV, which incidentally boasts a drag-coefficient of 0.35 (not bad, but still a fair way off the 911’s 0.29). 

For car-spotters keen to tick the Macan T off their list, the thing to look out for is exterior elements finished in ‘Agate Grey Metallic’. Specifically, the middle section of the front apron, the side ‘blades’ running across the lower section of the doors, the roof spoiler, and the exterior mirrors (including their V-shaped bases).

Then it’s all about high-gloss black on the side window trims, exhaust outlets and parts of the rear diffuser. But the biggest giveaway is the Porsche logo and model designation finished in, you guessed it… Agate Grey Metallic.

In looking at the Macan T’s interior design it’s important to call out our test car’s optional leather trim package ($3280) and carbon interior trim package ($1600), combining to dial up the cabin’s racy, premium feel.

A relatively simple dash design incorporates Porsche’s iconic three-dial instrument layout housed in a compact, curved binnacle. On the right-hand side a 4.8-inch configurable info display takes the place of what would have traditionally been an analogue gauge.

The wide centre stack houses a 10.9-inch media display above (big tick) physical ventilation controls. A sloping centre console is filled with touch controls under a piano black finish. Looks good in the showroom, but fingerprints are its enemy.

The front sports seats feel as good as they look, and overall the design is premium, functional and focused.

The SQ7 has always had a certain understated glamour about it. It’s usual to see these cars in the monochromatic hues that European manufacturers seem to favour, so it can slip under the radar a little.

Not our example, in its Matador Red, a colour which accentuates the red calipers behind the 22-inch alloy wheels and makes the LED headlights pop.

The nose is pronounced with only a small ‘SQ7’ badge hinting at what’s beneath the long bonnet.

There’s quite a bit you can customise and one of the options is sporty black accents across the bodywork, as per our test car.

The interior hosts a plethora of soft touchpoints, leather trims and shiny black piano finishes to create a premium finish.

The panoramic sunroof and dark grey headliner (which is apart of that Sensory Package) further enhances the sense of luxury.

The sports seats are finished in a Valcona leather trim that’s diamond quilted but the headrests are fixed, which might not thrill taller occupants.

Overall, the SQ7 is a large SUV being 5067mm long, 1970mm wide and 1743mm high.

Those dimensions almost challenge the Kia Carnival, which is a people mover! Make sure it will fit in your garage before buying it. 

At just over 4.7m long, around 1.9m wide, and a fraction more than 1.6m tall the Macan is a large medium-size SUV, but inside it feels more like the former than the latter.

Plenty of breathing space for the driver and front passenger, with a broad centre console dividing the space. Storage is good, too.

The glove box is a handy size, there’s a decent lidded box between the seats (that doubles as a centre armrest), as well as two large cupholders in front of it, and a handy oddments tray just behind the gearshift. Big door bins with space for large bottles are also a welcome inclusion.

Swapping to the back seat, sitting behind the driver’s seat, set to my 183cm position, I had heaps of leg and headroom. There’s even enough room for three full-size adults on short to medium journeys, although the full road trip experience would be too close for long-distance comfort. A trio of up to teenage kids will be laughing. 

For storage there are two cupholders in the fold-down centre armrest, bins with enough room for large bottles (and a bit more) in the doors, and adjustable air vents with temperature control as part of the three-zone climate-control system. No map pockets on the front seat backs, though.

Power and connectivity runs to a 12-volt outlet in the front centre console and another in the boot, as well as a SIM and SD card slot in the front, supplemented by two USB-C jacks in the front and another pair in the rear. 

Speaking of the boot, it’s generous, with 488 litres (VDA) available with all seats up (measured to the upper edge of the rear seats). Fold the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat and that number grows to 954 litres. Measure volume right up to the roof in that configuration and you have no less than 1503 litres to play with.

The boot space is properly illuminated, there are four tie-down anchors to help secure loose loads, and a small netted space lurks behind the wheel tub on the driver’s side.

Our test car was fitted with the optional adaptive air suspension system ($2790) which allows lowering of the car’s rear when stationary to make shuffling heavy loads into the back easier. And the standard auto tailgate is super helpful.

Maximum towing capacity for a braked trailer is 2.0 tonnes (towbar preparation and ‘Trailer Stability Management’ are standard), and the spare is a space-saver.

It’s missing a few little family items found on other large SUVs but it’s still a fairly practical family car. The cabin is spacious but passenger comfort has been prioritised over storage options.

Front and middle row occupants enjoy most of the room but third rowers will be comfortable on short journeys.

I would be saving these seats for the kids on longer trips, unless you want to get dagger eyes from any adult passengers stuck back there as the amenities aren’t as extensive as you might like with only two cupholders, a reading light and air vents (which aren’t directional).

With the Sensory Package included, the inside is an example of luxury with its heated and ventilated front seats, as well as the heated outboard seats in the middle row.

I love the massage function up front and that it’s customisable for intensity and position. The heated steering wheel is also a nice feature on the chilly days we’ve been having lately.

The tech is quite good with dual 12.3-inch touchscreens stacked on the dash and centre console.

They have haptic feedback, which means they vibrate when you touch them, but curiously this feature disappears while you’re using the wireless Apple CarPlay.

It did take a little while to get used to the Audi system and the haptic feedback, but once you do it’s easy to handle. There’s Bluetooth, digital radio, wired Android Auto and built-in satellite navigation, too.

The head-up display is super clear and displays the sat nav guidance and speed. What I really love is the four-zone climate control – meaning the middle row can get some further adjustments for ultimate comfort.

Charging options are okay with the front enjoying a wireless charging pad, two USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket. Middle row passengers also get a couple of USB-C ports but third rowers miss out.

I was surprised by the lack of storage throughout and this leads me to think this would suit older families best. For example, the middle console is large enough to only fit a phone. Still, each row gets two cupholders and a drink bottle holder in each door.

The boot is an acceptable size with all seats in use at 295L but with the third row stored, it jumps up to a more respectable 770L. There are stacks of different storage accessories available to purchase, if you need extra space.

The third row is a 50/50 split and the middle row has a very practical 35/30/35 split, which opens up the storage options.

The level load space is handy for the grocery run. But there’s no underfloor storage, and you don’t get a spare tyre, just a puncture repair kit.

A powered tailgate is handy, although this one's a bit faster than others I’ve sampled.

The SQ7 is a performance SUV and that means you’re paying for some heavy-hitting engine specs. As such, expect to pay $166,400 before any on-road costs or optional extras.

That puts it just under the cheapest of its competitors, so it doesn’t feel outrageous for what you get.

Our model has been finished in 'Matador Red' and I was pleased to see paintwork options are included in the base price (as they should be).

Our model does have the 'Sensory Package', which adds $13,300 to the price tag but that bundle includes some cool features like an extended leather dashboard, a synthetic suede headliner, an 'Advanced 3D' 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, an air quality system (with built-in perfume!), a front seat massage and ventilation function and heated rear outboard seats.

Even without the package, it’s still fairly well-specified with its diamond-quilted 'Valcona' leather trim, HD Matrix LED lighting, customisable ambient lighting, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to name just a few.

The Macan T is powered by a version of the VW Group’s ‘EA888’ turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine, used in a host of Audi, Seat and Skoda models, as well as, most-notably, the previous generation VW Golf Mk7 GTI.

The 2.0-litre, all-alloy unit uses a combination of port and direct fuel-injection, plus variable cam timing on the inlet and exhaust side to produce 195kW from 5000-6500rpm, and 400Nm across a broad plateau from 1800rpm right up to 4500rpm. The rev ceiling sits at 6800rpm.

Power goes to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electronically-variable multi-plate clutch.

The new TFSI engine in the SQ7 is monstrous. It’s a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 with maximum outputs of 373kW/770Nm.

To say it’s powerful is an understatement. This would be at home on the autobahn and my son cheered whenever I had to get up to speed.

It, of course, replaces the SQ7’s iconic diesel V8. The old TDI unit had 53kW less power but 130Nm more torque. However, the new engine delivers on power with aplomb.

The eight-speed auto transmission glides effortlessly through its changes and the all-wheel drive drivetrain is responsive.

Porsche’s official fuel economy number for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle for the Macan T is 9.5L/100km, the 2.0-litre four emitting 217g/km of CO2 in the process.

Over a week of city, suburban, and some freeway running we saw a dash-indicated average of 10.2L/100km. A solid, if unspectacular result for a close to 1.9-tonne SUV. 

Auto start-stop is standard, but pricey 98 RON premium unleaded is required, and you’ll need 75 litres of it to fill the tank.

Using the official number that translates to a range of 789km, which drops to 750km using our real-world number.

With great power comes… okay fuel efficiency. Actually, better than okay considering the twin-turbo V8 engine. The official combined cycle fuel figure is 11.9L/100km and real-world testing saw my figure at 13.2L.

Considering how hard I drove this and the type of driving I did this week, which was a combo of open-road and urban, this is very respectable. Expect it to be much higher in the city, though.

The SQ7 has a large 85-litre fuel tank and based on the official combined figure, you should be able to get around 714km of driving range. That isn’t as great as more fuel-efficient options but still good for those who like their road trips.

Audi recommends a minimum of 95 RON premium fuel with a preference for 98 RON for ultimate efficiency.

Porsche claims the Macan T will accelerate from 0-100km/h in a suitably rapid 6.2 seconds and mid-range pulling power is healthy, with maximum torque available from 1800-4500rpm.

Worth noting, however, if you’re looking for ‘special event’ engine and exhaust noise to accompany that progress you may be left wanting more aural oomph. Despite our test car’s optional sports exhaust ($3080), this four-cylinder can’t match the relative drama of the Macan S and GTS’s twin-turbo V6.

The upside of that difference is the 2.9-litre V6 puts an extra 59kg on the Macan’s front axle, so the 2.0-litre T feels lighter and that bit more responsive when the road starts to twist.

Suspension is multi-link front, trapezoidal link rear, and the Macan T is also fitted with stiffer, model-specific sway bars to manage body roll. Ride height is also 15mm lower than the base 2.0L Macan.

Steering is quick, road feel is good, and despite the standard 20-inch rims, ride comfort is excellent. This is Porsche’s long-established, engineering party trick, combining plush compliance with sharp dynamic response, even in a high-riding SUV. That said, the optional adaptive air suspension fitted to our test example, is $2790 well spent.

The drivetrain is set up with a RWD bias, and standard rubber is Michelin’s high-performance SUV tyre, the Latitude Sport 3 (265/45 fr / 295/40 rr). They grip hard while remaining quiet, and the Macan T is an entertaining drive on a quiet B-road.  

Braking is by vented discs all around (350mm fr / 330mm rr) with beefy four-piston alloy monobloc fixed calipers up front and floating singles at the rear. Stopping power is reassuringly strong and progressive, especially important given the car’s 2.0-tonne (braked) towing capacity.

For more adventurous drivers, ground clearance is 187mm, while the approach, departure and ramp angles are a relatively modest 15.8, 15.4, and 21.0 degrees, respectively.

In the less challenging terrain of a shopping centre car park the standard reversing camera and 360-degree surround view make manoeuvring into tight spaces a stress-free operation.

The performance is awesome and I made excuses all week to hop in and drive it. It doesn’t hurt that when you press the push-button start, the engine rumbles and growls. There’s even a ‘spitting’ sound as the turbo fires up. It all promises fun.

While the power feels immense, you do have to get used to how to handle it. For example, when you first shift into gear and pull your foot off the brake, the car lurches forward as if it’s rearing to go. It took me a couple of days to get used to the little quirks of it. 

The steering is controlled and responsive, adapting to the conditions and speed at which you’re driving. If you’re accelerating hard, the steering turns a little stiff and the seat belt tucks you into your seat, reaffirming the addition of that S in the model name.

The cabin is very quiet and there’s no shuddering or vibration to be felt through the steering or seat.

The SQ7 features sports adaptive air suspension and it's dependant on how you drive and what drive mode you’re in. It makes for an extremely comfortable journey and not just for those in the front. The rear passengers are nicely cushioned, too.

This is a big car but you don’t feel those dimensions when you park it. Even with its 12.4m turning circle, it’s not cumbersome with the adaptive steering.

The dynamic 360-degree view camera is super clear but the parking sensors are too sensitive for my liking. It might just have been an oddity on the particular model I drove but the emergency braking did pop on a few times (scaring the hell out of me every time!).

The SQ7 has a healthy suite of safety features with the following being standard: LED daytime running lights, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, dynamic 360-degree view reversing camera (it turns with the direction of the steering wheel), dynamic parking guidelines, front and rear parking sensors, rear occupant alert, intelligent seatbelt monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

It also features an active bonnet, meaning it will lift up and away from the engine if the sensors detect that a pedestrian has been hit. As well as an SOS emergency call button.

It has AEB and forward collision warning with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection which is operational from 10-85 km/h (10-250 km/h for car detection). It is usual to see it operational from 5.0km/h, though.  

The SQ7 achieved a maximum five-star safety rating from testing conducted in 2019. It only has six airbags, which is fairly low for a family car, but that does include curtain airbags covering all three rows.

Porsche is the last brand standing in the local mainstream sports luxury market, offering a three-year, unlimited kilometre warranty when the rest of the segment has moved on to five-year, unlimited km cover. 

The good news is paint is covered for three years and a 12-year (unlimited km) anti-corrosion warranty is included (the Macan’s body is fully galvanised). 

Porsche Roadside Assist provides 24/7/365 coverage for the life of the warranty, and after the warranty runs out is renewed for 12 months every time the vehicle is serviced at an authorised Porsche dealer.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, which is less in terms of mileage than some others in the category.

With Porsche, final costs are determined at the dealer level (in line with variable labour rates by state/territory), but indicative pricing for the first five years is: 12 months/15,000km (annual) - $695, 24 months/30,000km (inspection) - $1300, 36 months/45,000km (annual) - $695, 48 months/60,000km (inspection) - $1300, 60 months/75,000km (annual) - $695. Not exactly cheap, but not outrageous in this part of the market.

A brake fluid flush is recommended every two years ($290), as well as spark plugs ($450), air filter ($200), and transmission fluid and filter ($850) every four years. So, be ready for those ‘extras’.

If I was spending my hard-earned cash on a vehicle like this, I would want to be treated like a queen when it comes to servicing.

Manufacturers should sweeten the pot when it comes to on-going servicing and ownership terms when you’re at this level but the SQ7 just comes with a pretty standard five-year/unlimited km warranty.

You can pre-purchase a five-year/75,000km servicing plan and it will set you back a total of $4100 (or an average of $810 per service), which is expensive but not outrageous for a performance vehicle.

Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12 months or 15,000km, which is good.