Compare the2023 Porsche MacanVS 2023 Acura RDX

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 Acura RDX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Macan has a standard Multi-collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RDX 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 RDX.

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

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the RDX’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The battery on the Macan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Macan’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The RDX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

The Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 103 more horsepower (375 vs. 272) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 162 more horsepower (434 vs. 272) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Acura RDX:

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 RDX 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 RDX doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Macan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RDX are solid, not vented.

The Macan stops much shorter than the RDX:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RDX (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Macan’s standard 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RDX’s standard 55 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the RDX A-Spec’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan offers optional 21-inch wheels. The RDX’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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 RDX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the RDX (110.5 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

The Macan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.7% to 44.3%) than the RDX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Macan more stable handling and braking.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the RDX A-Spec AWD pulls only .83 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 RDX (8.9 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 RDX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RDX’s (4409 vs. 1500 pounds).

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 RDX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Macan has a much higher standard payload capacity than the RDX (1288 vs. 838 lbs.).

The Macan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the RDX (1383 vs. 838 lbs.).

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RDX. 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 Acura. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With an 8% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RDX, the Macan offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, 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 rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Macan has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Macan also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Macan’s optional Self Steering ParkAssist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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 RDX 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 56.76% to 58.19% of its original price after five years, while the RDX only retains 47.35% to 49.21%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Macan is less expensive to operate than the RDX because typical repairs cost much less on the Macan than the RDX, including $8 less for front brake pads, $9 less for a fuel pump and $359 less for a power steering pump.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The RDX isn’t in the top three.

The Macan was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 4 years. The RDX has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.