Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2024 Audi A6 Allroad

Both the Macan and the A6 Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

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 13 points higher than the A6 Allroad.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 40 more horsepower (375 vs. 335) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 369) than the A6 Allroad’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 99 more horsepower (434 vs. 335) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 369) than the A6 Allroad’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Audi A6 Allroad:

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the A6 Allroad:

The Macan stops shorter than the A6 Allroad:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A6 Allroad (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6 Allroad’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan offers optional 21-inch wheels. The A6 Allroad’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the A6 Allroad Prestige pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Macan’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the A6 Allroad’s (39.2 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the A6 Allroad Premium Plus (7.9 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the A6 Allroad Prestige (8.9 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Porsche Macan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 350 pounds less than the Audi A6 Allroad.

The Macan is 8.8 inches shorter than the A6 Allroad, 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 A6 Allroad doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a 4409 lbs. towing capacity. The A6 Allroad has no towing capacity.

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 A6 Allroad doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Macan has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A6 Allroad 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Macan and the Audi A6 Allroad, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 6 more times in the last 8 years. The A6 Allroad has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Porsche Macan outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by over three to one during 2023.