Compare the2023 Porsche MacanVS 2023 Audi Q3

Both the Macan and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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.

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 Q3’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 39 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Porsche higher than Audi.

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 Audi 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, Audi is rated below average.

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 Q3’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 Q3’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 Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Audi Q3:

The Macan has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q3 (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 Q3 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 Q3 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q3:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q3 (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/45R19).

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 Q3’s standard 55 series tires. The Macan’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Q3’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 Q3. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q3.

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 Q3’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 Q3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the Q3 (110.5 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (7.9 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 3.4 inches higher than on the Q3 (8.9 vs. 5.5 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 Q3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (52.9 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q3’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 Q3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Q3. 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 Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional in the Q3, 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 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 Q3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ 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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Macan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Q3 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Macan with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Q3’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Macan and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. 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 Q3.

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 Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Macan’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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 Q3 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 Q3 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 Q3 only retains 50.79% to 50.87%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Macan is less expensive to operate than the Q3 because typical repairs cost much less on the Macan than the Q3, including $146 less for a water pump, $177 less for a starter, $85 less for front struts and $241 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Macan and the Audi Q3, 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 Q3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Macan was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 4 years. The Q3 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.