Compare the2022 Porsche MacanVS 2022 BMW X1

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Macan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Macan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Macan has standard Multi-collision Brake System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The X1 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan. But it costs extra on the X1.

The Macan offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X1 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Macan’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X1 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

Both the Macan and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available crash mitigating brakes.

The Porsche Macan weighs 445 to 864 pounds more than the BMW X1. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Macan’s reliability 19 points higher than the X1.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The X1 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 15th in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 3 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (261 vs. 228) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 147 more horsepower (375 vs. 228) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 206 more horsepower (434 vs. 228) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Macan has a gallon more fuel capacity than the X1 (17.1 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The X1 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Macan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X1:

The Macan stops much shorter than the X1:

For better traction, the Macan has larger standard tires than the X1 (F:235/55R19 & R:255/50R19 vs. 225/50R18). The Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 225/50R18).

The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X1’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X1. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the X1.

The Macan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The X1’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The X1 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the X1 (110.5 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the X1 xDrive28i pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X1 (7.9 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the X1 (8.9 vs. 7.2 inches).

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The X1 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a 4409 lbs. towing capacity. The X1 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Macan uses the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X1 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Macan has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X1 (1288 vs. 924 lbs.).

The Macan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X1 (1383 vs. 926 lbs.).

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the X1. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 33% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X1, the Macan offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X1 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The X1’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Macan’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Macan has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X1. The Macan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X1.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Macan keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Macan will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Macan will retain 57.65% to 61.86% of its original price after five years, while the X1 only retains 47.15% to 47.35%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Macan is less expensive to operate than the X1 because typical repairs cost much less on the Macan than the X1, including $281 less for a water pump, $170 less for a starter, $121 less for fuel injection, $102 less for a fuel pump, $155 less for a timing belt/chain and $326 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The BMW X1 isn't recommended.

The Macan was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 3 years. The X1 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Porsche Macan outsold the BMW X1 by 23% during the 2021 model year.