Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2024 Audi Q3

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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, 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.

Reliability

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’ 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.

Engine

The Macan has more powerful engines than the Q3:

	Horsepower	Torque
Macan 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	261 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
Macan S 2.9 turbo V6	375 HP	383 lbs.-ft.
Macan GTS 2.9 turbo V6	434 HP	405 lbs.-ft.
Q3 40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	184 HP	221 lbs.-ft.
Q3 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	228 HP	251 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

	Macan	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	14.4 sec	19.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.9 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	144 MPH	130 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the Macan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Macan has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q3 (19.8 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Macan	Macan GTS	Q3
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	15.4 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	14 inches	11.8 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			12.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

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.

Suspension and Handling

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).

Chassis

The design of the Porsche Macan amounts to more than styling. The Macan offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .35 to .37 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Q3 (.38 to .39). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Macan get better fuel mileage.

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.

Cargo Capacity

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (53 vs. 48 cubic feet).

Towing

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.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the Q3, the Macan offers an optional 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 standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Macan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q3.

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.

Economic Advantages

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.

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.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Macan and the Audi Q3, 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 Q3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Porsche Macan outsold the Audi Q3 by 21% during 2023.