Compare the2023 Porsche MacanVS 2023 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Macan’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

Both the Macan and the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s (12 vs. 5 years).

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 21 points higher than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 13 more horsepower (375 vs. 362) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 369) than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 72 more horsepower (434 vs. 362) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 369) than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon:

The Macan stops shorter than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 245/45R19).

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional 40 series tires.

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

The Macan has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a 2.15 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (7.9 vs. 5.75 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 3.15 inches higher than on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (8.9 vs. 5.75 inches).

The Porsche Macan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 400 pounds less than the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

The Macan is 8.7 inches shorter than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon, making the Macan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

The Macan’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s parking brake has to be released manually.

Insurance will cost less for the Macan owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Macan will cost $2810 to $6300 less than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon only retains 47.6%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Macan is less expensive to operate than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon because typical repairs cost much less on the Macan than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon, including $268 less for a water pump, $307 less for a starter, $91 less for fuel injection and $197 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 $1319 to $20339 less than for the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon isn’t in the top three.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 5 more times in the last 7 years. The E 450/E 53 hasn’t been picked since 2019, and the E 450/E 53 has only been chosen twice.