Compare the2022 Porsche MacanVS 2021 Volvo V60

The Porsche Macan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The V60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan. But it costs extra on the V60.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Macan’s standard Porsche Hill Control allows you to creep down safely. The V60 doesn’t offer Porsche Hill Control.

Both the Macan and the V60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The V60 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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 15th in initial quality. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 9 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Macan has more powerful engines than the V60:

Both the Macan and the V60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Macan’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the V60.

The Macan has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the V60 (17.1 vs. 15.9 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 V60 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The V60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the V60:

The Macan stops much shorter than the V60:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V60 (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 235/45R18).

The Macan’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the V60’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the V60. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the V60.

The front and rear suspension of the Macan uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

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 V60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the V60 Momentum pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 (7.9 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 3.5 inches higher than on the V60 (8.9 vs. 5.4 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 V60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the V60 with its rear seat folded (52.9 vs. 50.9 cubic feet).

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the V60’s (4409 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V60. 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 Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 11th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the V60, 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 V60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Macan offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The V60 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Macan owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Macan with a number “5” insurance rate while the V60 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

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 V60 only retains 42.19% to 43.68%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Macan is less expensive to operate than the V60 because it costs $36 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Macan than the V60, including $330 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Macan was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 3 years. The V60 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Porsche Macan outsold the Volvo 60 Series by 48% during the 2021 model year.