Compare the2023 Porsche MacanVS 2023 BMW X6

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 X6 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its 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 X6 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Macan and the X6 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, 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.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the Macan gets better mileage than the X6:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Porsche Macan higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X6 (3). This means the Macan produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X6 every 15,000 miles.

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 X6 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better maneuverability, the Macan’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the X6’s (39.2 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Porsche Macan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the BMW X6.

The Macan is 8.7 inches shorter than the X6, making the Macan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 X6 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Macan has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X6 (1288 vs. 994 lbs.).

The Macan has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X6 (1383 vs. 1294 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Macan has a standard rear wiper. The X6 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Insurance will cost less for the Macan owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Macan will cost $2380 less than the X6 over a five-year period.

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 X6 only retains 48.14%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Macan is less expensive to operate than the X6 because it costs $27 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Macan than the X6, including $685 less for a water pump, $441 less for a muffler, $106 less for a starter, $17 less for fuel injection, $274 less for a fuel pump and $1460 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Porsche Macan will be $14100 to $14313 less than for the BMW X6.

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

The Macan was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 4 years. The X6 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

The Porsche Macan outsold the BMW X6 by 17% during 2022.